SALEM – Keaton Gale struck out a dozen batters and allowed just two hits as Elk Point-Jefferson blanked Lake Norden-Badger 2-0 in the opening game of the State B American Legion Baseball Tournament on Friday morning.

“Their pitcher did an outstanding job of mixing his pitches and changing our eye levels,” said Lake Norden-Badger coach Brad Noem. “We had a couple opportunities to tie the game, but he pitched himself out of it. He pitched one of the best games we’ve seen all year.”

EPJ scored bookend runs, one in the top of the first and another in the top of the seventh, in the victory.

Kayden Moore singled, stole second, and then scored on back-to-back passed balls for Elk Point-Jefferson in the first. Ethan Bovill singled, stole second, and then scored on an RBI single by Ashton Fairbanks in the seventh.

Meanwhile, Lake Norden-Badger managed just two doubles, one by Dawson Noem and another by Ryker Warrington. LN-B did have opportunities with runners on base in five of the seven innings.

Lake Norden-Badger received strong pitching performances from Noem and Warrington. Noem struck out four and allowed two hits over four innings, while Warrington struck out three and also gave up two hits in three innings.

“Dawson and Ryker pitched extremely well for us, allowing just two unearned runs,” coach Noem said.

Lake Norden-Badger will have an elimination game against Platte-Geddes this morning at 10 a.m.

LN-B plans on starting standout Cristhian Rodriguez in that crucial contest.

“We have Cristhian on the mound (Saturday),” coach Noem said, “so we feel good about where we are at.”

Elk Point-Jefferson 100 000 1 – 2 4 0

Lake Norden-Badger 000 000 0 – 0 2 1

Keaton Gale and Jacob Gale; Dawson Noem, Ryker Warrington (5) and Cristhian Rodriguez. 2B – Lake Norden-Badger, Noem, Warrington.