Granite losing streak grows

The Custer mens baseball team played in Alliance, Neb., the weekend of June 6 against the Alliance Steam and lost two close games.

On Saturday night,  Custer lost 6-4 in nine innings, and Sunday morning lost again 6-5 in seven innings. The Granite played a non-league game Sunday afternoon losing to Sidney, Neb., 14-7.

Custer played with only eight men Saturday night, as John Olson pitched a very good complete game to take the tough loss, striking out 10 with no walks. Olson also went 4-5 at the plate with a double. John Spain and Austin Tomlinson each had three hits, and Blaine Kortemeyer had two hits. Jack Sayles had a sacrifice bunt.

On Sunday morning, Custer had nine players as Tomlinson took the mound, pitching five innings before falling behind 5-2. Dave Powers came on in relief in the sixth. Custer rallied to tie the game at 5-5 in the top of the seventh, but Alliance scored in the home half to win the game. Powers was the losing pitcher.

John Fejfar and Powers each had doubles, while Spain, Tomlinson and Powers each had two hits. Gene Fennel had a sacrifice bunt.

Against Sidney, Zach Derr started for Custer but left after three batters in the first with a sore arm after walking three batters. Olson came on and allowed three runs in three innings, but left with a sore arm in the fifth. Spain then pitched and allowed five runs in the fifth and was the loser. Tomlinson again relieved in the sixth and seventh. 

Derr, Olson and Powers each had two hits with Olson and Powers each hitting two base hits.

Custer is now 0-4 in the league and 2-6 on the year.