Omerza wins in pitching debut

Elliot Omerza didn't just win his first American Legion pitching start; he nearly made history.

The junior righthander took a no-hitter into the seventh inning and finished with a two-hitter and five strikeouts as Post 248 held on to win 6-4 at Deer River.

Omerza didn't give up an earned run, retired 15 straight batters in one stretch, and was cruising with a 6-1 lead into the seventh.

After a one-out walk, Chad Benham broke up the no-hitter, and an Ely error and a Bubba Oberg single resulted in three Deer River runs. But Omerza worked out of trouble and retired the hosts, clinching his first pitching victory in a Legion uniform and helping Post 248 win its second straight contest.

Omerza also helped his own cause, lining run-scoring hits in both the first and second frames. Spencer Gaulke and Pat Huisman also knocked in runs during a three-run second.

Ely scratched out an unearned run in the fourth and Huisman's sacrifice fly plated Gaulke in the sixth.

The winners had nine hits, with Max Gantt, Huisman, Omerza and Cole Kellogg finishing with two each.

Ely is off Wednesday and goes on the road Thursday to launch a three-day, five-game southern swing which includes single contests against BOLD, Sacred Heart and Jordan, and a Saturday twinbill with Kenyon-Wanamingo.