Eric Riley's bat "Hobbsian" in 14-4 win

Eric Riley's bat was explosive Thursday night. The multi-sport standout was at the top of his game for Morris American Legion baseball.
He performed just like Roy Hobbs at his best in the Robert Redford movie "The Natural."

Eric connected for two three-run home runs and a two-RBI single as he harvested eight RBIs total. Morris was the 14-4 winner over Osakis.
The post-season is now on. Morris fans can anticipate more success if the bats stay as loud as they were Thursday. Morris pounded out 15 hits in the five innings.

Morris brought "the rule" (ten-run rule) into effect with a five-run rally in the bottom of the fifth. Once that ten-run bulge was created, the game instantly ended.

Morris began the game with a five-run first. They added one in the second and three in the third.

Their line score was a brilliant 14 runs, 15 hits and one error. The Osakis numbers were 4-4-2.

Tyler Hansen was active both with the bat and his pitching arm. This seasoned athlete went three-for-four including a triple. He scored two runs and drove in two.

Pitching-wise, Tyler got the win as the starter, going the first four innings. He struck out two batters and walked four. He allowed four hits and four runs which were earned.

Tyler gave way to Ethan Bruer for the top of the fifth. Bruer allowed no hits and no runs and he fanned a batter while walking one.

Ryan Beyer had another memorable outing with the stick, on this night going two-for-three with an RBI.

Alex Erickson went one-for-three with two runs scored.

Brady Valnes brought a wave of cheers out of the Chizek Field stands with a solo homer. Brady finished the night two-for-three with two runs scored and an RBI.

Tanner Picht showed focus at the plate and went two-for-three.

Also stoking the attack were Brody Bahr and Mitch Kill, each of whom went one-for-three. Kill drove in a run.

More on baseball: the Clemens (non) trial

Does anyone else have the feeling of late that the defense has too many advantages in celebrated trials?

Now we have Roger Clemens.

The prosecution screwed up in a manner remindful of The Three Stooges.

So justice is denied, it seems. The mistrial declared by Judge Reggie Walton means Clemens might be off the hook for good.

There may be a new trial eventually but there might not.

If the defense screws up, I suppose there might be a sanction of some kind but the trial would go on, and the defense could eventually win. The smart money is with the defense in these big trials that get splashed all over TV.

The defense just scatterguns relentlessly. It seems like putting just a graze wound on the prosecution is good enough.

Meanwhile the prosecution seems to have to perform flawlessly. And even then, their work can be nitpicked.

In the Clemens case, the jury was exposed to some evidence that was a no-go. It's not that the evidence was non-factual, just that. . . Oh, I don't know, it takes a lawyer to fine-tune all the language surrounding this.

If what the jury heard was factual and not fabricated or malicious, it should absolutely be no big deal.

But in courtrooms, a prosecution's misstep seems to instantly become a "bombshell," to use a word that defense attorneys are fond of when some new wrinkle goes their way. Every point in their favor is a "bombshell."

All the jurors heard, was testimony from Andy Pettitte's wife about what Andy told her about what Clemens had apparently claimed. Oh it's roundabout to be sure.

But just let the jurors weigh that. Is that reasonable?

Clemens' attorney Rusty Hardin cried "foul," in effect, requested a mistrial and got it. I don't know if he was waving his arms but that's what defense attorneys do.

So Laura Pettitte didn't have "direct knowledge" of what Clemens allegedly said? That's what Judge Walton asserted.

Yes, and we don't have a videotape of the Caley Anthony murder either.

If you feel Clemens is innocent, you might consider believing in the Tooth Fairy too.

The steroid era has created a fog for baseball fans. I grew up when players began losing their reflexes ever so slightly beginning at about the age of 33. You basically judged a player's career by the numbers he put up over a span of about 12 to 14 years.

A pitcher who learned to throw "junk" might be an exception. Power hitters were especially challenged to stay sharp.

I'm bitter that Harmon Killebrew now must be judged next to Barry Bonds.

The controversial substances not only extend a career, they expedite getting over an injury. Killebrew might have been able to deal with his sprained toe.

But the recently-deceased Harmon played under the old rules. He was still "The Killer" even without the likes of steroids. Let's elevate him to an even higher pedestal.

And Clemens? He can stay outside the Hall of Fame like Mark McGwire, trying to rationalize the decisions he made the rest of his life. Maybe the Tooth Fairy can console him.

- Brian Williams - morris mn Minnesota - bwilly73@yahoo.com