It's on to Region 9C playoffs!

Chris Boettcher bats for the Morris Eagles during the Sunday (7/24) win. (Photos by B.W.)
Ross Haugen gets set for his next at-bat.
Dusty Sauter of the Eagles makes healthy contact.

The humidity backed off a little, or so it felt, this past weekend for the Morris Eagles' playoff games. Yours truly (B.W.) was present for the Sunday game, played on a pleasant and classic midsummer day.

In these times of extreme weather, such a day was welcome and it was made even more pleasant by how the Eagles fared.
The Eagles won on both Saturday and Sunday.

Playing in Appleton Saturday, the Eagles disposed of Benson 11-6. Then in front of their friendly home fans Sunday, the Eagles made it a weekend sweep at the expense of Montevideo. Morris downed Monte 6-4.

These were playoff games. Now it's on to the Region 9C level of play.

They'll plunge into that level on a roll as they have triumphed in eight of their last nine games. This is what's known as "peaking at the right time."

Morris 11, Benson 6

Morris took the field at Appleton in the opening round of the Canvas Division. The Eagles and the rival Benson Chiefs vied.

Early-on things looked grim. Benson shot out to a 4-0 lead in the first inning.

The Eagles slowly righted their ship, rallying for two runs in the second and then enjoying a big five-run outburst in the fourth.

Now the momentum is in Motown's corner.

The Eagles pulled away in the seventh with two runs and tacked on two more for good measure in the eighth. All in all a satisfying day on the diamond.

Ryan Beyer doubled in the second inning, driving in a run. He then scored on Chris Boettcher's base rap.

The fourth inning story had six straight Eagle batters reaching safely. Benson pitching grew wild. Eagle batters were patient but they also got their bats off their shoulders for two hits.

Craig Knochenmus and Nathan Gades each worked the pitcher for a walk with the bases loaded. Mitch Carbert connected for a two-run single. Brett Anderson lofted a sacrifice fly.

Dusty Sauter drove in a run with a double in the seventh.

Ryan Beyer showed his homer swing in the bottom of the eighth, connecting with a runner on.

Gades pitched for eight innings and Jamie Van Kempen hurled for one. Gades struggled at times but he got the win.

Sauter was a monster at bat with his five hits in six at-bats including a double. He also stole a base.

Anderson was a perfect two-for-two. Beyer's double and round-tripper helped him finish with three RBIs.

Morris played errorless ball while Benson committed two errors.

Morris Eagles baseball rolls forward, anticipating more slick fielding and loud bats.

(I will be posting on the Montevideo game also - B.W.)

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