The athletes have the basic stamina to handle this, no question, but the big issue can be pitching arms. Would a team have enough reliable arms to face the awesome demands?
"Yes" would appear to be the resounding answer from the MACA Tigers, based on the Wednesday (6/1) success.
"Yes" would appear to be the resounding answer from the MACA Tigers, based on the Wednesday (6/1) success.
The Tigers won with a shutout. The 3-0 win was over New Ulm at Marshall.
We are reaching advanced heights of tournament play. The Tigers entered the double-elimination phase Wednesday.
So did Lac qui Parle Valley, a fellow member of the WCC-South and another team eyeing the 3AA title. Lac qui Parle stumbled Wednesday, losing 11-0 to Fairmont from extreme southern Minnesota.
Lac qui Parle Valley is coached by Morris native Bart Hill.
The MACA Tigers will now try to humble that Fairmont unit which was so much in command Wednesday.
Don't bet against coach Lyle Rambow's Tigers. They'll take a 21-2 season record into Saturday's (6/4) noon contest vs. Fairmont.
Given the intense schedule demands, it's terrific when you can get a complete game from a pitcher. Morris Area Chokio Alberta was blessed by that Wednesday.
It was Alex Erickson taking command with his pitching arm. His two-hit shutout was most enjoyable for the many Tiger fans to see.
So was the solo home run off the bat of Brady Valnes.
New Ulm has the same nickname as Lac qui Parle Valley: "Eagles." Erickson set down the last 12 Eagle batters in order.
He fanned two batters and walked just one.
He fanned two batters and walked just one.
New Ulm mounted a threat in the fourth with a double and walk. At that point, senior Erickson bore down to begin his skein of 12 straight outs, slamming the door on the Eagles.
The Tigers manufactured a run in the second inning. Eric Riley rapped a single. The hit-and-run was executed with Cole Riley at bat. Not only did Cole make contact, he singled. Eric pulled in at third base.
Now it was time for the double-steal. Cole got thrown out at second but that was a minor concession because Eric was able to race home and score.
It was also in this inning that Valnes connected for his home run which was a majestic blast to left, sailing beyond the fence at Johnson Park.
The Tigers made the score 3-0 in the fifth when Tyler Hansen singled with two outs to score Mitch Kill. Kill reached on a walk and stole second.
The MACA line score was three runs, five hits and one error. The New Ulm line was 0-2-1.
Five different Tigers had one hit each: Ethan Bruer, Brady Valnes, Cole Riley, Eric Riley and Tyler Hansen.
Brody Peterson was the losing pitcher and he gave up five hits and three runs (earned) in his six innings. The two New Ulm hits were by Zach Hoffmann and Kaleb Juntunen.
Lac qui Parle is striving to regroup after a lackluster day Wednesday, a day on which the hit total was a mere one, compared to ten by Fairmont. Coach Hill had to bemoan the three errors committed by his team compared to zero by the victor.
Hill is striving to get his Eagles re-charged for their upcoming Saturday game against New Ulm, set to start at 2 p.m.
Ben Kane of Fairmont was the pitcher who stymied LQPV. The game was abbreviated by the ten-run rule. Fairmont was decisive out of the starting gate, scoring three runs in the first inning and seven in the second.
The losing pitcher was Joey Schreck, one of three called on by coach Hill. The lone LQPV hit was off the bat of Brandon Weber who went one-for-two.
Our coach Rambow and his surging MACA baseball Tigers would enjoy seeing lots of orange and black fan support again Saturday, no matter the long trip south!Maybe we'll finally see more summer-like weather setting in (but don't hold your breath).
- Brian Williams - morris mn Minnesota - bwilly73@yahoo.com
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