The Chadron First National Bank North Platte Junior American Legion Nationals baseball team evened its record at 5-5 with a 10-5 win over Sidney Sunday afternoon at Maurice Horse Field. It was the Nationals first win over a district opponent this season.

The game was a back and fourth showdown and was much closer than the final score indicates. Sidney took a 3-0 lead in the third inning as a result of hits and walks, but Chadron began to chip away in the bottom half of the inning when Jake Bargen’s RBI ground out scored Devin Julius to make the score 3 to 1.

The Nats were able to get another run across in the 4th and two more in the 5th to take a 4 to 3 lead into the sixth. Starting pitcher Jayden Stack, who threw five solid innings, was replaced by Michael Gieseler early in the frame, but a timely hit from Sidney and a 2-out error with the bases loaded led to the visitors retaking the lead 5 to 4.

Chadron answered right back in the bottom of the 6th.  Julius reached base via walk, stole 2nd, and came home on a hit by Stack, who would steal third and come home on passed ball to regain the lead. The Nats then added 4 insurance runs to wrap up the 10 to 5 win.

Gieseler got the win with 2 solid innings of relief pitching. Chadron was led at the plate by Stack, Bargen, Jackson Dickerson, and Colby Ellis who all connected for 2 hits apiece.

Sidney won the senior game 5-4, coming from behind to do it.

Action continues Monday night at Maurice Horse Field with a pair of Junior Legion games against Guernsey, with action at 5 and 7.

Story courtesy of Jonn McLain