Red River’s Haagenson shines in rivalry win against Central

Griffen Haagenson led Grand Forks Red River to a 7-5 victory over Grand Forks Central in a thrilling rivalry matchup on Wednesday afternoon. The sophomore pitcher was dominant on the mound, striking out 10 batters and not allowing a single walk.

Haagenson’s confidence was evident throughout the game, as he also contributed at the plate with a key hit in the second inning that sparked the Red River offense. The Roughriders put up four runs in the fourth inning, their second-highest scoring output of the season.

Despite Central’s late comeback attempt, Haagenson remained composed and closed out the game with a strikeout to secure the win for Red River. Head coach Mark Varriano praised Haagenson’s performance, emphasizing the importance of timely hitting and solid pitching in securing the team’s first conference win.

On the Central side, pitcher Noah Morkve struggled early on, allowing six runs in just over three innings of work. However, Zach Benjamin provided a spark both on the mound and at the plate, limiting Red River’s offense and contributing offensively with a perfect 3-for-3 performance.

Central coach Danny Marto commended his team’s resilience and fighting spirit, despite falling short in the end. The game was a testament to the intense rivalry between the two schools, with both teams showcasing their competitive spirit and determination to come out on top.

Overall, the game was a thrilling display of high school baseball, with both teams leaving it all on the field in pursuit of victory. Haagenson’s standout performance and Red River’s offensive outburst proved to be the difference in a hard-fought contest that will surely be remembered for years to come.