Legion team wraps up - Eagles, VFW win

Morris Legion baseball: 6-3 defeat

Two losses and you're out in the district tourney. Unfortunately for the usually high-flying Morris Legion Nine, loss No. 2 came Thursday night. So the season is over.

The Thursday foe was Granite Falls, in Montevideo, where the District 7 tourney is reaching a climax.

Granite Falls seemed to want to hand this game to Morris on a platter. Granite Falls looked disoriented in the field at times and committed seven errors. Seven errors!

But alas, Post #29 couldn't exploit this weakness well enough. Morris was defeated by Granite Falls 6-3.

Morris committed two errors in this less-than-a-masterpiece game.

Morris is known for showing power bats. Their fans watched with chagrin Thursday as this game grew into an exception. Morris was quite out of character as all eight of their hits were singles.

So let's give some credit to the Granite Falls pitcher. This was Dylan Lindstrom, who worked six innings before giving way to the closer Aaron Zieske who threw one.

Lindstrom gave up the three Morris runs but two were unearned. He struck out two batters and walked three.

Tyler Hansen was the Morris starting pitcher and was hurt badly by unearned runs. All five of the runs that Hansen allowed were unearned. He gave up four hits, struck out four and walked one in his 2 2/3 innings on the hill.

Sam Mattson pitched the other 3 1/3. Mattson allowed four hits, struck out three batters and walked one while allowing one run which was unearned.

Add 'em up and there were six unearned runs scored by Granite Falls which constituted their whole run total.

Yes, it was a heartbreaking way for the curtain to come down on the Post #29 season.

All the Granite Falls runs were scored in the third inning. Hansen got the hook in that inning. A wild pitch allowed two runs to score. Garrett Cole hit a two-run double. Austin Thorstad and Brandon Grund singled.

Morris fans had their hopes lifted in the top of the seventh when their team got two baserunners on with no outs. At this point, Lindstrom is relieved by Zieske.

Zieske responded to the pressure, first striking out a batter and then inducing a double play.

With a thud the Morris season ended. But on the whole, Morris fans can embrace many special memories from the 2011 summer.

Tyler Hansen had one hit in three at-bats. Ditto Ryan Beyer. Cole Riley's hitting eye was sharp as he connected for three hits in four at-bats.

Brady Valnes and Mitch Kill both went one-for-four. Ethan Bruer had a one-for-two evening and drove in a run.

Thanks for the memories, Post #29 boys! Try to stay cool.

Morris Eagles baseball: 12-2 triumph

The Eagles took command vs. Benson to capture the #1 seed in the Canvas Division. They plated 12 runs in this July 20 game played in Chiefs country of Benson.

You might say the Eagles painted a fine picture of victory on this canvas! It was achieved 12-2 and saw the Morris bats sizzle for 14 hits, compared to five by Benson.

The Canvas Division is part of the Land O' Ducks League.

This game was originally slated for Saturday but the obstacle was - you guessed it - the weather conditions of late.
Johnny Carson might have quipped: "How hot was it?"

Well it was too hot for the game to be played to completion on Saturday. This was a suspension and not a total postponement.

The resumption of the action saw the temperature in a much more tolerable range. Mid-game "it actually cooled off a bit," spokesman Matthew Carrington said.

Morris was already in good shape, leading 4-2, at the time of the resumption.

Morris seemed to put the game out of reach with a four-run fifth inning, achieved on just two hits. There were three bases-loaded walks. Benson's woes were compounded by a passed ball.

The Eagles had fuel left in the tank for a four-run ninth. When the dust cleared, this was clearly Morris' night. Morris committed just one error.

Benson's error with two outs in the ninth opened the door for that late rally. Ross Haugen took advantage by walloping a two-run double. Craig Knochenmus connected for an RBI triple down the right field line. The lefty Knochenmus pulled that ball with authority.

All this offense made the pitching job kind of a pipe (whatever that means) for Matthew Carrington.

The veteran Carrington set down the final 16 batters he faced. He finished the night with five strikeouts, he walked just one and he allowed five hits and two runs (one earned).

Knochenmus went to work on the hill for the ninth and he was untouched. "Knochy" fanned two Chiefs.

Dusty Sauter had a boxscore line of all 2's: at-bats, runs, hits, RBIs. The Nathan Gades line was 3-2-1-1.

Chris Boettcher: 3-2-2-1. Ross Haugen: 4-1-3-3. Craig Knochenmus: 3-0-1-3.

Brett Anderson: 5-0-1-0. Mitch Carbert: 1-1-1-0. Ben James: 4-1-2-0.

Jon Jallo: 1-1-1-0. And Tony Schultz: 3-2-0-0.

What's next? The Eagles will face Benson again at 4 p.m. Saturday (7/23) in Appleton.

Then on Sunday, regardless of the Saturday outcomes, the Eagles will play in the late game (4 p.m.) here at Chizek Field.

The Eagles are now eyeing the Region 9C playoffs. They're on a roll, having won six of their last seven games.

Morris VFW baseball: 15-4 triumph

It's always gratifying to beat the "big town." Morris VFW baseball came up against Willmar on Tuesday (7/19) and showed a superior caliber.

As the visitor, Morris erupted big-time in the second and third innings with rallies that helped bury the host. The final score: 15-4.

Willmar was shaky in the field, handing Morris opportunities by committing seven errors. Morris by contrast committed one.

The 15 Morris runs came on 12 hits while Willmar was held to five hits.

Morris Post #5039 scored five runs in the second inning and seven in the third. The score was 12-2 entering the fifth inning.

Morris plated three runs in the top of the fifth and Willmar answered with two, but a ten-run bulge had opened up that ended the game via "the rule" (ten-run rule).

Jake Torgerson pitched the whole way for Post #5039 and fanned five batters while walking none. He gave up five hits and four runs (earned).

The losing pitcher was Brandon Christenson.

Tyler Henrichs supplied lots of punch with his bat for Motown. Tyler posted three-for-four numbers while scoring three runs and driving in one.

Chandler Erickson had two hits in four at-bats. The following batters went two-for-three: Jordan Staples, Tom Holland and Mac Beyer.

Beyer's bat resonated with a home run and triple, and he drove in two runs and scored two.

Staples drove in two runs. Holland picked up a ribbie.

Buzzy Tollefson led Willmar's hitting at two-for-three including a double.

Legion ball: defeat vs. Madison

The normally potent Morris American Legion team offense was humbled on Tuesday, July 19. The Post #29 crew was embarking on districts. The site: Montevideo.

Morris was fresh from two weekend triumphs in which their offense earned that "potent" description.

But on Tuesday their bats became relatively silent in a 4-1 loss.
Double-elimination would allow Post #29 to see another day. (But they would lose to Granite Falls.)

The Tuesday roadblock was thrust by Madison, the long version of which is "Madison Lac qui Parle Post #158."

Madison needed some time to get going. Through five innings it looked like Morris and its accomplished pitcher Alex Erickson might own the day.

It was Erickson who homered in the first and then his pitching arm took over to throttle Madison through the first five innings. But of course a 1-0 lead can be precarious.

Morris couldn't chip away any further because opposing hurler Joey Schreck was quite in command. Erickson and Schreck would both pitch the distance (seven innings).

It was Schreck who would get the "W" next to his name in the boxscore. That's because after giving up that Erickson homer in the first, he totally shut the door. There was a string of zeroes on the scoreboard after that.

Madison had a string of zeroes through five innings but that changed in the sixth. Madison summoned a decisive three-run rally, then proceeded to add an insurance run in the seventh.

Madison had a line score of four runs, seven hits and no errors, while Post #29 put up 1-6-5 numbers.

The telling stat there would appear to be the "five" for Morris errors. Ouch.

Two of the runs that Erickson allowed were unearned. He struck out eight batters, gave up seven hits and walked one.

The winner Schreck had six strikeouts and walked two, while giving up six hits and one run (earned).

Erickson wielded his bat for a double in addition to his home run. Four of his teammates went one-for-three: Eric Riley, Mitch Kill, Brody Bahr and Brady Valnes.

The Haas boys, Sam and Seth, both had two hits for Madison. Other Madison hits were off the bats of Jacob Redepenning, Eric Paulson and Brandon Weber.

For Morris the loss had a sting because Morris prevailed twice vs. Madison previously this summer.

In the other District 7 "Final 4" game on Tuesday, it was Eden Valley-Watkins downing Granite Falls 6-2. Winning pitcher Kevin Kramer struck out ten batters.

Matt Geislinger socked a two-run homer to stoke EV-W's winning fortunes.

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

Post #29 powers through weekend games

The Morris baseball athletes are dealing with everything Mother Nature churns out.

This past spring it was overpowering wind on at least one occasion. That was the prep campaign when they played under the moniker "Tigers."

That campaign ended in Marshall on an anticlimactic note. The MACA defense broke down at the very end.

But the athletes have pulled themselves up by the bootstraps to excel in summer Legion play. As in the spring, they're fighting to cope with Mother Nature with nearly the same focus they apply in battling the opposition.

Two key playoff games were played Saturday and Sunday, July 16-17.

The weather? It was unforgettable mainly from the standpoint of humidity. Yours truly (B.W.) has never seen anything like it.

Window panes seemed to be frosted over everywhere. It certainly could be bad news for camera lenses too.

Obviously it was hot also. Sunday night we got a dose of lightning and the kind of thunder that can rattle your house.

The weekend ended with the Morris Legion Nine in quite good shape.

The Saturday story: a 13-2 win over Wheaton, the top seed. The Sunday story: more of same as the focused Legion unit squared off vs. Wheaton again and prevailed 10-5.

Double-digit run totals bode well. There were lots of highlights for our fans to cheer at Chizek Field.

Morris is one of four finalists at the district level now. They'll seek the District 7 crown beginning tomorrow (Tuesday, July 19) at Montevideo.
Morris will vie with Madison at 5:15 p.m. The late game will match Eden Valley-Watkins and Granite Falls.

It's double-elimination now. Action will continue on Thursday through Saturday.

The Post #29 crew takes a 12-2 season record into this next phase of playoffs.

Morris 13, Wheaton 2

Ryan Beyer stayed "in the zone" with his potent bat, helping to humble the No. 1 seed at the sub-district level. Beyer homered, tripled and singled.

He's accumulating ever more impressive power stats. His homer total on the summer is six, this after walloping seven homer blasts in the spring.

Morris took charge after the scoreless first two innings. Morris rallied for five runs in the third and went on to score two in the fourth, four in the sixth and two in the seventh.

They scored their 13 total runs on eleven hits and fielded cleanly, committing just one error.

The Wheaton line score was two runs, five hits and three errors.

Tyler Hansen was busy on the basepaths and he scored four runs. He had two hits in five at-bats and drove in two runs.

Alex Erickson scored three of the Morris runs. He had a one-for-three morning (yes, it was morning).

Ryan Beyer's extra-base blasts were part of a three-for-three boxscore line. He drove in a whopping six runs and scored three.

The always-reliable Eric Riley came through at two-for-five and two RBIs. Cole Riley had a one-for-three morning.

Ethan Bruer had a hit in his only at-bat and drove in two runs. Brody Bahr doubled and scored two runs.

Eric Riley got the pitching win, working six innings and striking out six batters. He gave up five hits and walked four. One of the two runs he allowed was unearned.

Mitch Kill finished things up on the hill, going one inning. He walked two but allowed no runs or hits.

Mason Lampe was the losing pitcher.

Morris 10, Wheaton 5

Sunday afternoon at the height of the heat-humidity phenomena, Morris took the field again to face Wheaton.

Morris made even faster work of it this time. Post #29 scored six runs over the first two innings while blanking the stunned and top-seeded Wheaton nine.

Morris padded its total with two runs each in the fourth and sixth.

Again Morris showed reliable gloves in the field with but one error. They scored their ten total runs on 12 hits. The Wheaton line score was five runs on eight hits and one error.

Morris batted around in a big second inning that netted them five runs. Wheaton pitching had some wildness that helped sink their own fortunes. There was a balk call too.

Eric Riley hit the ball through the humid air to post three-for-three numbers including a double. He scored two runs and drove in two.

Alex Erickson drove in a run to go with his two-for-five numbers. Tyler Hansen doubled and scored three runs.

Ryan Beyer socked a triple, scored two runs and drove in one. Cole Riley went one-for-two with two RBIs.

Brady Valnes had two hits in four at-bats. Tanner Picht had a hit and an RBI, and Ethan Bruer had a hit in his only at-bat.

The pitching department saw Sam Mattson get the win with his five innings, defying the heat and humidity. He struck out one batter and walked one. He gave up five hits and two runs (earned).

Ethan Bruer pitched for 2/3 of an inning and got roughed up, so the job of completing this game went to Alex Erickson who got the save. Erickson fanned a batter, walked none and gave up no runs or hits.

Mason Lampe was tagged with his second pitching loss of the weekend for Wheaton. Lampe did have a good game hitting, going three-for-four.

Tyler Schwagel and Riley Wilson also hit safely for Wheaton.

The district tourney is proceeding toward a crescendo!

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

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

Legion boys' offense like July 4 fireworks

Whew! The Morris American Legion baseball team entered the July 4 holiday weekend deserving of a break.

They were coming off a stretch of eight games in as many days. And they didn't lose a single time!

The Post #29 crew sits at 9-1 on the summer.

Morris 21, Elbow Lake 2

Victory No. 9 came Thursday evening in a game pushed later than the announced starting time. The Legion athletes took the field once the Babe Ruth League had taken care of its business.

Morris defeated Elbow Lake in a romp, 21-2, with bats making as much noise as the upcoming July 4 fireworks.

Morris posted its football-like run total buoyed by 20 hits.

The barrage included another home run by Ryan Beyer. It was Beyer's fourth round-tripper in a three-day span.

Each team committed three errors.

Morris batted in just four innings, making the offensive onslaught that much more impressive. Obviously the ten-run rule came into play.
Elbow Lake scored its two runs in the top of the third.

Alex Erickson's bat was sizzling with three-for-three numbers, and he crossed home plate three times. He also picked up an RBI.

Tyler Hansen scored four times while posting two-for-four numbers. One of his hits was a double. He stole two bases and drove in three runs.

Ryan Beyer's homer highlighted his perfect two-for-two line. He had three RBIs total.

Mac Beyer had two hits in as many at-bats. He doubled and drove in a run.

Eric Riley doubled as part of his two-for-two evening. Cole Riley went two-for-five with an RBI. Mitch Kill fueled the attack at two-for-five with two runs scored and a ribbie.

Brody Bahr doubled, scored three runs and drove in two. Aaron Vold socked a double as part of finishing two-for-two. He scored three runs and drove in three.

Ethan Bruer had impact going two-for-three including a double, plus he scored two runs and drove in three.

All that offensive support made pitching kind of a breeze. Mitch Kill pitched four innings and was the winner. He struck out five batters and walked two. He gave up two runs neither of which were earned.

Mac Beyer pitched one inning, struck out two batters and walked none. Eric Blehr took the pitching loss.

Morris 5, Willmar 4

Willmar shot out to a fast start but it was our Post #29 winning as the visitor on Wednesday, June 29.

Willmar assumed a 3-1 lead in the first inning but Morris came on strong in the later innings. Morris rallied for two runs each in the fourth and sixth and prevailed 5-4.

This was despite getting outhit by Willmar 8-4. It was also in spite of getting out-fielded, as Morris committed three errors to none by Willmar.

Four different Morris players accounted for the four hits. Ryan Beyer slugged a solo home run in his only official at-bat. He worked the Willmar pitching for two walks, plus he scored three runs and drove in one.

Beyer's round-tripper came in the first inning and was his fourth of the season. Two of his blasts came Tuesday when Morris prevailed 8-7 over Detroit Lakes.

Eric Riley's bat went "pow" for a two-run home run. Eric netted two RBIs on the day, plus he was the winning pitcher.

Eric's pitching arm was called on when starter Tyler Hansen had a little trouble finding the strike zone. Riley struck out five batters and walked one in his 6 2/3 innings on the hill. He allowed seven hits and one run which was earned.

Willmar hurler Nathaniel Swoyer, a curveball master who worked the distance, was tagged with the loss despite striking out 13 batters.

Hansen's bat came through with one-for-three numbers.

Tanner Picht connected for a double and drove in two runs. His double made it to the right field fence in the fourth inning and got the score tied at three-all.

Jake Rambow spurred the Willmar hitting with three-for-four numbers including a double and an RBI.

Willmar was hurt by eleven stranded baserunners. They left the bases loaded in the first and third frames. Morris by contrast stranded just one.

Eric Riley has been a most busy athlete this summer. He plied his football skills most impressively on Saturday (6/25) when his North All-Stars vied at TCF Bank Stadium on the U of M-Twin Cities campus. Riley was named Defensive MVP for the North.

In the Wednesday baseball challenge, the multi-sport standout whacked a Swoyer delivery over the left field fence in the sixth inning. It was a timely blow, breaking the 3-3 tie and delivering what turned out to be the decisive burst of momentum.

Swoyer, who also played in the all-star gridiron showcase, for the South, fanned seven straight Morris batters before the Eric Riley home run.

It was Riley's first round-tripper of the summer.

News flash: The following MACA Tigers have been named all-conference in the WCC-South: Ryan Beyer, Eric Riley, Tyler Hansen, Cole Riley and Alex Erickson.

Alex is the conference MVP.
Congrats all.

Morris 5, Osakis 2

A first inning rally propelled the Post #29 squad to a 5-2 victory over Osakis on Monday, June 27, here. That rally netted three runs.

The Morris line score was five runs, seven hits and two errors, while the visitor posted 2-5-2 numbers.

Three of the seven Morris hits were off the bat of Ryan Beyer. Beyer finished three-for-four with one of his hits a double, plus he drove in a run.

Tyler Hansen came through with a triple. Alex Erickson slugged a double and drove in a run. Ethan Bruer had a hit and an RBI, and Eric Riley had a one-for-four line.

The pitching arms of Ethan Bruer and Eric Riley did the job. It was Bruer getting the win with his stint of five innings, in which he fanned four batters and walked one. He gave up five hits and two runs (earned).

Eric Riley pitched for the save, fanning three batters in the process and walking two. He gave up no hits and no runs in his two innings.

Ky Zimmel was the losing pitcher. With the bat, Ky connected for a triple. Drew Fearing doubled for Osakis.

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