Bismarck Larks Get Walk-Off Win in First Game Ever
It wasn't a high scoring affair at the Bismarck Municipal Ballpark on Tuesday, May 30th, but the Larks won in dramatic fashion.
It was a pitcher's duel until the bottom of the 7th when the Larks scored their first run in history. An infield single with a runner on third gave Bismarck a 1-0 lead.
But in the top of the 8th, with runners on the corners, the Eau Claire Express tied it up on a pick-off play. The Larks threw it over to first and the base runner was caught in a rundown. As that was going on. the runner from third scored and the game was tied.
In the bottom of the ninth, catcher and Bismarck native Quinn Irey (Jamestown University) led off the inning with a double.
Then Cullen Smith (East Tennessee State) hit a short blooper into left field. The left fielder dove and missed allowing Irey to come around and score and give the Larks the 2-1 victory.
Ryan Byrd (Creighton - Spokane Community College) got the start on the mound for the Larks throwing seven shutout innings.
The Larks play Eau Claire again on Wednesday night at 7pm at Municipal Ballpark in Bismarck.
See more photos from the inaugural game below.