Hammett, Potter big for Cards in conference opener

BISMARCK -- Riding a five-game winning streak coming into Thursday’s game, the Harmony Grove Cardinals added another tally to the victory column as they opened conference action on the road with a 3-2 win over Bismarck.

Pitching was the storyline again for the Cardinals as Dax Hammett continued his hot start on the bump, throwing six innings of two-hit ball, striking out 11 and being tagged for two unearned runs.

Peyton Potter would close the win with an inning of action, allowing no hits and a walk.

Three Cardinals would reach base in the first inning, but nothing would arise as the Lions escaped harm’s way early.

The Lions would capitalize first, scoring two in the third on an error from Cardinals catcher Aiden Hughes and a passed ball from Hammett.

Bismarck would lead

2-0 after two.

Harmony Grove would not wait long before cutting the score in half as Hammett doubled through second base to score Cole Gunter, making it 2-1 Bismarck.

Potter would tie things with an Rbi-single in the fourth, scoring Tysen Forrest who walked a hitter before.

Still tied in the top of the seventh, the Cardinals would break through with a big run thanks to an RBI single from Whitt Richardson. Landon Spann would cross the plate on the knock, giving his team the 3-2 lead and eventual win.

Bismarck would walk to leadoff the bottom half, but would go in order from there as the Cardinals held on.

Hammett led at the plate with a 3-for-4 night, driving home one.

The Cardinals won the hit battle 8-2 and also walked four times.

On the year, Harmony Grove moves to 8-2 overall and 1-0 in league play.

The Cardinals will return to action Monday at Prescott. First pitch is set for 5 p.m.