PRESCOTT — The Prescott Pirates got a massive win in the team’s first league game after the Fourth of July break Saturday, beating the Elmwood Expos 3-0.

It was Dylan Gausman who took the mound for the Pirates, leaving no meat on the bone on the way to a complete game shutout. Gausman allowed five hits and a walk, striking out nine batters.

“When we need a big-time pitching game out from someone, we’re always calling Dylan Gausman to come in and throw,” Prescott shortstop Brady Block said. “He’s one of the smartest baseball players I’ve ever seen in my life. He knows exactly what hitters do. He knows exactly where to throw. I call him a rubber arm because he can throw over 100 pitches every time he goes.”

Elmwood got a solid pitching performance of its own, with Brecken Ponath going seven innings and allowing three runs, but could not get the bats going.

“I’ve been seeing a lot of development from our young guys,” Block said. “First couple games were a struggle getting everyone to know each other. These two wins these past two games have been huge for us.”

Block, who drove in two of the three runs in the win, said a State title is all that is on the minds of his young squad. The Pirates are committed to the work it takes to grow up in a hurry.

“It’s huge. We’re trying to chase these teams like River Falls and Hudson. We’re so young right now,” Block said.
At 7-4 in league games, Prescott is tied for third in the 11-team St. Croix Valley League, behind only undefeated River Falls and Hudson. Prescott was nearly the team to break back-to-back State champ River Falls’ league winning streak, rallying in the late innings before falling short 4-3. There are three games remaining in league play, and they are pushing to enter the postseason on a hot streak.

“These league games, getting as many dubs as we can is a big thing,” Block said. “Watching [the young guys] get at-bats and throw as many innings as they can is going to be huge for us, because come down the stretch, we can’t throw an ace every game.”

Block said he has been super impressed with how quickly some of the young contributors have caught on.

Prescott got another big win over the weekend, beating Hastings 4-2. Joaquin Magee had three hits out of the leadoff spot, and he was followed by six other Pirates collecting a hit. Ethan Guck and Phil Seifert teamed up on the mound to shut down the Hawks.

Elmwood had a tough weekend in their pursuit of a spot in the top half of the league, falling to undefeated Hudson 15-6 in addition to the Prescott loss. At 3-7 in league play, the season has not gone the Expos’ way thus far. The team is still packed with guys from the State runner-up finish team in 2024, so it feels like only a matter of time before they kickstart.

Kyle Trainor and Adam Churchill’s three-hit weeks were positive signs for the top chunk of the lineup. Cody Holden also whacked a home run in the game against Hudson. There are some standout guys who are still looking to find their swing this summer.

Thankfully, with three league games and a tuneup weekend ahead before the playoffs, the Expos have a bit of time to make it happen before the Aug. 8 postseason.