A’s hold off Slough Sharks for 9-8 win

Aurora starter Rob Bortnem fires a pitch during the A’s Eastern Dakota League amateur baseball game against Clear Lake on Sunday night at Aurora Field. Photo by Sean Welsh/Register

AURORA – The A’s built a nine-run lead through five innings, and then needed every one of those runs as they held off Clear Lake, 9-8, for an Eastern Dakota League win at Aurora on Sunday.

Aurora scored single runs in the first and third innings before adding four in the fourth and three in the fifth as the A’s looked as if they were going to end the game early via the run rule.

But the Slough Dogs battled back with two in the sixth, three in the seventh and three more in the ninth before relief pitcher Curtis Anderson struck out the final two batters in the ninth to notch the save.

Adam Mills had two hits and drove in a pair of runs while Ty Schneider hit safely twice, including a double, with an RBI for the A’s.

Rob Bortnem, who earned the win on the mound after giving up two runs over seven innings, also had two hits.

Tate Pope and Nathan Drake had two hits apiece to lead the Slouth Dogs.

Aurora, 14-3 in the EDL and 16-8, overall, travel to Clark on Friday for an 8 p.m. league contest.



Aurora 9, Clear Lake 8

Clear Lake 000 002 303 – 8 9 0

Aurora 101 430 00x – 9 11 4

Ben Bartling, Phil Anderson (6) and Jordan Dumke, Nick Salanon (6); Rob Bortnem, Curtis Anderson (7) and Jayme Uttecht, Drew Carroll (7). W – Bortnem. L – Bartling. Sv. – Anderson. 2B: CL – Ben Bartling; A – Curt Anderson, Doyle Price, Ty Schneider. 3B: CL – Austin Olinger.