SALEM – Host team Salem-Montrose-Canova scored six late runs to secure a 9-1 opening round win over Groton during the State B American Legion Baseball Tournament Friday night.

S-M-C led just 4-1 heading to the bottom of the sixth before breaking the game open with five two-out runs in the frame. Carter Randall and Shea Klinkhammer each had two-run singles to highlight the inning.

Groton managed just one run in the contest when it had two of its four hits in the top of the fifth inning. Ryan Groeblinghoff doubled and scored on a single by Karsten Fliehs.

“It was a tough one,” said Groton coach Seth Erickson. “We just couldn’t get runs.”

The main reason why Groton struggled to get much going was the pitching of Luke Koepsell. The standout athlete from Howard struck out four and did not allow any walks in 4-plus innings on the mound for Salem-Montrose-Canova.

“We saw him in high school (this spring),” Erickson said. “He’s a very good pitcher. They hit the ball better than we did tonight. He has really good stuff.”

Dillon Abeln struck out seven batters in 5 and 2/3 innings for Groton, but it wasn’t enough.

Teylor Diegel and Colby Dunker had the other hits for Groton in the contest.

Groton now takes on Big Stone City in an elimination contest at 12:30 this afternoon.

Groton 000 010 0 – 1 4 1

Salem-Montrose-Canova 210 006 x – 9 8 0

Dillon Abeln, Carter Simon (6) and Karsten Fliehs; Luke Koepsell, Owen Alley (5), Jackson Remmers (7) and Weston Remmers. 2B – Groton, Ryan Groeblinghoff; Salem-Montrose-Canova, Jackson Grady, Will Cleveland.