Waite Park drops West End in Game One

By Ashley Steele

CLIFTON PARK – Waite Park Minnesota started the 13-15-year-old Babe Ruth World Series in Clifton Park in style. The Midwest Regional champions came back from a six run deficit and upended West End Baseball from Williamsport, Pennsylvania, 8-7.

Down, 7-6, in the bottom of the sixth inning, Jack Arnold hit a one out double and was plated on Andy Henkemeyer’s double, tying the contest at seven apiece.
Josh Althaus drove in Henkemeyer for the game-winning run.

Henkemeyer, the West End game MVP went 3-for-3 with a walk, two doubles and three RBIs and scored twice. Jack Arnold went 3-for-4 with two doubles and a single, scoring three times.

Waite Park scored five runs in the fourth on four hits and two errors, giving the Minnesota All-Stars life.

“We played tight,” Waite Park coach Jim Arnold said. “Everybody has got to pick each other up, stay positive.”

West End’s Sean Ruane started the contest, going five innings, giving up six runs on eight hits, walking three and striking out six. He was charged with four of the six runs.

The comeback even surprised its coach.

“The team has had close games before, but we have never come back from a six run deficit to win the game” Arnolds said. “It feels good, it feels very good.” 

Waite Park game MVP Andy Henkemeyer is relieved to secure a victory early.
“Some of us hung our heads, but we picked it up with timely hitting,” Henkemeyer said. “I’m just glad we won”.

Adam Johnson earned the spot start for Waite Park, keeping the opposition guessing, as well as his own staff.

“Ninety-five percent of the time we don’t make up our mind on whose pitching in the game until we see the other team take the field or pretty close to it.” Arnold said. 
Johnson earned the World Series opener victory, going the distance, seven innings, giving up six earned runs, walking four and striking out two.

Waite Park will take on the World Series host team, Clifton Park, 7 p.m. tonight with a win and confidence, but ready to face the challenge.

“We want to get ahead in the early innings and swing at good pitches,” Arnold said. “If our pitching is on we should have a great game.”