Fargo secures North Dakota’s first Little League World Series appearance

WHITESTOWN, Ind. — It was a monumental afternoon for the Fargo baseball community and the state of North Dakota.

Fargo’s Team North Dakota topped South Dakota from Sioux Falls 9-7 in the Little League Midwest Region championship, which was nationally televised on ESPN, to advance to the Little League Baseball World Series in Williamsport, Pennsylvania.

The World Series begins Wednesday, Aug. 16 and concludes with third-place and championship games on Sunday, Aug. 27.

The win put North Dakota in the national tournament for the first time. North Dakota was one of seven states that had not played in the Little League World Series.

Team North Dakota posted a three-run lead in the first inning. William Korbl ripped a two-run triple to score Cash Martinez and Jackson Molden. Korbl then scored on a wild pitch.

North Dakota tacked on another run in the second when Hudson Yaeger poked an RBI single to center field, scoring Collin Hanson.

South Dakota pieced together a two-out rally in the third. Harrison Nickles hit a two-run double to center field, Carter Chapman singled and Jacob McCloskey doubled to tie the game at 4-4.

North Dakota scored five runs in the fifth inning to go up 9-4. Reese Evenson tripled to right-center field, scoring Reed Holman and Brody Holmes, and Evenson also scored on the throw to home. With the bases loaded, Blaise Ostrom singled to score two more runners.

South Dakota battled back in the bottom of the frame. Harrison Nickles drove in two runs with his second double of the game. Chapman and Ryan Henry also drove in runs to shave North Dakota’s lead to 9-7.

In the sixth and final inning, North Dakota’s reliever Mason Sinner allowed a one-out single but got a line out and a ground out to secure the team’s historic win.

This is a developing story. Check back at InForum.com for updates.

After graduating from North Dakota State University, Haugland joined the Forum in January of 2023. Readers can reach him at 701-241-5508 or by emailing ahaugland@forumcomm.com