Another day, another game.That might have been the theme for the MACA baseball Tigers as they charged into this past week. The regular season ended in a flurry. Four games in as many days made for a challenge.
That skein of contests spanned Monday through Thursday. When it was all done, the Tigers could feel the satisfaction of being No. 1 in conference. Their dramatic 9-8 win at Minnewaska Area gave them sole possesion of first.
Now, presumably after taking a deep breath, they'll get re-focused for the post-season which begins tomorrow (Saturday, May 28). They'll be at the friendly home diamond on a day that could include rain.
Tigers 9, Minnewaska Area 8
The conference championship is ours! The end of the 2011 conference race came dramatically Thursday with an extra innings battle. Our orange and black Tigers were at Minnewaska Area.
With the panoramic view of Lake Minnewaska as the backdrop, the Tigers came out the victor 9-8. Their bats were productive to the tune of 15 hits vs. the Laker pitching.
They fended off the competitive Lakers who had a chance to share the WCC-South title.
The Tigers put a decisive exclamation point on this win with a double play. They had just crept out in front by one run in the top of the eighth. So, the Tigers had to polish off this game by just keeping 'Waska scoreless in the bottom half.
There was a small threat as Shane Bosek singled. Then, with one out, the Tigers performed the twin-killing which went from pitcher to second to first. Pitcher Matt Lembcke, on in relief, started that bang-bang play.
The Tigers and their fans could celebrate.
The game started out with little optimism for Tiger fans, as 'Waska gained a 3-0 lead in the first.
The Tigers got going in the third with a four-run outburst. That momentum carried over into the fourth which featured a similar type of MACA rally, with emphasis on power bats - becoming an MACA trademark. Scouts for opposing teams might be awestruck.
In the third, Ryan Beyer tripled, Eric Riley socked a two-run home run, and back-to-back doubles resonated off the bats of Tyler Hansen and Alex Erickson.
Then in the fourth, Hansen and Erickson again connected for doubles. Cole Riley drove in two runs with his two-bagger.
The Lakers were able to stay close with a four-run rally in their half of the fourth. Blake Helmick and Bosek delivered RBI hits.
The Lakers caught up completely with a run in the sixth, when Bosek singled to drive in Helmick.
So the stage was set for extra innings!
Ryan Beyer led off in the top of the eighth and he singled. He pulled into second on a fielder's choice.
Cole Riley singled to drive in Beyer with the game-winner.
Matt Lembcke got the pitching win in relief. He struck out one batter and walked one in his three-inning stint. He gave up four hits and one run (earned).
"Matt was solid out of the bullpen to nail down this win for us,” coach Rambow told Pheasant Country Sports.
He added: "We have had a great regular season, and it’s a compliment to our boys to win a very tough conference. Now, the first season is over and everyone is 0-0 to start the second season."
Sam Mattson was starting pitcher and he worked five innings, getting roughed up a little. He gave up nine hits and seven runs (six earned) while striking out six batters and walking four.
Two pitchers worked for 'Waska: Patrick Stumpf and Eric Elbe.
The MACA line score was nine runs, 15 hits and three errors. The 'Waska numbers were 8-13-4.
Hansen had two doubles in his three-for-five boxscore numbers. He scored two runs and drove in one.
Erickson doubled twice as part of going three-for-five, and this Tiger scored two runs and drove in two.
Ryan Beyer's triple highlighted his two-for-five day, and he scored two runs and drove in one.
Eric Riley went two-for-four with his two-run dinger standing out. Eric scored two runs and drove in two.
Cole Riley racked up three RBIs as part of going two-for-five. Brady Valnes had a double and finished at two-for-four.
Brody Bahr had a hit in his only official at-bat.
The Tigers finished regular season play with an 18-2 overall record and 14-2 numbers in league - superlative.
Take me out to the ballgame! Cross your fingers for no rain.
Tigers 11, Paynesville 10
There was no shortage of entertainment in this offense-dominated game played in Paynesville.
For a while it seemed the Tigers might win handily. They seized a 9-2 lead. The objective after that was to simply "hang on."
It was mission accomplished as the orange and black crew got past the green-clad Bulldogs 11-10.
For a while it seemed the Tigers might win handily. They seized a 9-2 lead. The objective after that was to simply "hang on."
It was mission accomplished as the orange and black crew got past the green-clad Bulldogs 11-10.
The game grew into a showcase for the MACA power bats. The Tigers, who faced three Bulldog pitchers on the day, homered four times. They came at the Bulldogs with 13 total hits.
It was a memorable afternoon for Alex Erickson who socked two of the home runs. He connected for a two-run shot in the third. He zeroed in on another pitch in the seventh and this solo shot ended up being essential in the Tigers carving out their one-run margin.
The Bulldogs rallied for three runs in the bottom of the seventh.
The winning outcome allowed the Tigers to put aside their three errors, compared to one by Paynesville.
Errors might have been costly, as one learns when looking at the pitching statistics. Tyler Hansen, who got the win, allowed nine runs but only two were earned. He struck out seven batters, walked four and allowed nine hits.
Eric Riley got the save with his brief outing of a third of an inning, and the one run he allowed was unearned. Eric struck out a batter.
The three Paynesville pitchers were Jordan Schleper, Weston Brinkman and Josh Bungum (the loser).
Eric Riley made big noise with his bat, doubling to drive in two runs in the first, and sending the ball over the fence in the sixth.
Brody Bahr delivered a home run.
Bulldog Jon Solum gave the Tigers some nervous moments in the seventh, as he connected for a three-run double.
Tyler Hansen finished with a double and two runs scored. Erickson was "in the zone" with his four-for-five day including the two homers and a double. Alex drove in three runs and scored four.
Eric Riley went three-for-four with his homer and double and drove in four runs. Cole Riley doubled and picked up two RBIs.
Mitch Kill had a hit and drove in a run. Brody Bahr's homer and RBI made him an important contributor. Ethan Bruer had a two-for-four line.
The Morris Area Chokio Alberta line score was eleven runs, 13 hits and three errors.
It was a memorable afternoon for Alex Erickson who socked two of the home runs. He connected for a two-run shot in the third. He zeroed in on another pitch in the seventh and this solo shot ended up being essential in the Tigers carving out their one-run margin.
The Bulldogs rallied for three runs in the bottom of the seventh.
The winning outcome allowed the Tigers to put aside their three errors, compared to one by Paynesville.
Errors might have been costly, as one learns when looking at the pitching statistics. Tyler Hansen, who got the win, allowed nine runs but only two were earned. He struck out seven batters, walked four and allowed nine hits.
Eric Riley got the save with his brief outing of a third of an inning, and the one run he allowed was unearned. Eric struck out a batter.
The three Paynesville pitchers were Jordan Schleper, Weston Brinkman and Josh Bungum (the loser).
Eric Riley made big noise with his bat, doubling to drive in two runs in the first, and sending the ball over the fence in the sixth.
Brody Bahr delivered a home run.
Bulldog Jon Solum gave the Tigers some nervous moments in the seventh, as he connected for a three-run double.
Tyler Hansen finished with a double and two runs scored. Erickson was "in the zone" with his four-for-five day including the two homers and a double. Alex drove in three runs and scored four.
Eric Riley went three-for-four with his homer and double and drove in four runs. Cole Riley doubled and picked up two RBIs.
Mitch Kill had a hit and drove in a run. Brody Bahr's homer and RBI made him an important contributor. Ethan Bruer had a two-for-four line.
The Morris Area Chokio Alberta line score was eleven runs, 13 hits and three errors.
Tigers 10, Lac qui Parle Valley 4
Alex Erickson had the assignment to pitch in the Tuesday, May 24, game that had Lac qui Parle Valley as the foe.
Erickson handled the job the whole way. He looked poised on the mound in Madison, as he struck out eleven Eagle batters in this 10-4 Tiger triumph. He gave up four hits and walked six.
The win was another important step in the Tigers' quest for No. 1 in conference.
Erickson had a lapse in the fifth when he threw a gopher ball to Zach Moen who connected for a grand slam homer, accounting for all four of the LQPV runs.
Erickson started out this game "firing seeds," as they say, as he got strikeouts for the first six outs. He had a no-hitter going until that dip in his fortunes in the fifth.
Erickson was one of several Tigers putting on a power clinic with their bats. He hit a homer with a man on in the third.
Ryan Beyer hit a round-tripper with a man on in the fourth. Eric Riley leaned into three doubles.
Cole Riley had multiple hits and drove in two runs. Brady Valnes had a one-for-three day.
MACA surged in the middle innings, plating three runs in the third frame and four in the fourth.
Their line score was ten runs, eight hits and zero errors.
Three pitchers worked for the host Eagles: Sam Haas (the loser), Joey Schreck and Blair Tostenson.
Erickson handled the job the whole way. He looked poised on the mound in Madison, as he struck out eleven Eagle batters in this 10-4 Tiger triumph. He gave up four hits and walked six.
The win was another important step in the Tigers' quest for No. 1 in conference.
Erickson had a lapse in the fifth when he threw a gopher ball to Zach Moen who connected for a grand slam homer, accounting for all four of the LQPV runs.
Erickson started out this game "firing seeds," as they say, as he got strikeouts for the first six outs. He had a no-hitter going until that dip in his fortunes in the fifth.
Erickson was one of several Tigers putting on a power clinic with their bats. He hit a homer with a man on in the third.
Ryan Beyer hit a round-tripper with a man on in the fourth. Eric Riley leaned into three doubles.
Cole Riley had multiple hits and drove in two runs. Brady Valnes had a one-for-three day.
MACA surged in the middle innings, plating three runs in the third frame and four in the fourth.
Their line score was ten runs, eight hits and zero errors.
Three pitchers worked for the host Eagles: Sam Haas (the loser), Joey Schreck and Blair Tostenson.
Tigers 8, BOLD 0
The highlight-filled week had its start with MACA blanking the BOLD Warriors 8-0 at home.
It was a pleasant night at our local Chizek Field, with fans enjoying the shutout pitching form of Eric Riley and Ethan Bruer. Together they gave up just four hits.
Fans were also thrilled to see Ryan Beyer's homer shot.
The Tigers charged out of the starting gate with four runs in the first inning, three in the second and one in the third. Their final line score was eight runs, nine hits and one error.
BOLD was hurt by three fielding miscues.
Tyler Hansen's bat was sizzling as this Tiger went three-for-three, drove in two runs and scored two. Beyer's home run highlighted a two-for-four day by this Tiger. He had two ribbies.
Ethan Bruer scored two runs as part of going one-for-three. Brady Valnes had a hit in two at-bats and drove in a run.
Cole Riley went one-for-three with a ribbie. Eric Riley finished at one-for-three.
In pitching, Eric got the win with his six innings of work. He fanned five batters, walked one and gave up three hits.
Ethan Bruer's stat line included one strikeout, zero walks and one hit. Ethan's stint on the hill was one inning.
Kyle Krause pitched the whole way for BOLD.
The four BOLD hits were by Kyle Athmann, Andrew Brooks, Nick Steffel and Alex Steffel.
It was a pleasant night at our local Chizek Field, with fans enjoying the shutout pitching form of Eric Riley and Ethan Bruer. Together they gave up just four hits.
Fans were also thrilled to see Ryan Beyer's homer shot.
The Tigers charged out of the starting gate with four runs in the first inning, three in the second and one in the third. Their final line score was eight runs, nine hits and one error.
BOLD was hurt by three fielding miscues.
Tyler Hansen's bat was sizzling as this Tiger went three-for-three, drove in two runs and scored two. Beyer's home run highlighted a two-for-four day by this Tiger. He had two ribbies.
Ethan Bruer scored two runs as part of going one-for-three. Brady Valnes had a hit in two at-bats and drove in a run.
Cole Riley went one-for-three with a ribbie. Eric Riley finished at one-for-three.
In pitching, Eric got the win with his six innings of work. He fanned five batters, walked one and gave up three hits.
Ethan Bruer's stat line included one strikeout, zero walks and one hit. Ethan's stint on the hill was one inning.
Kyle Krause pitched the whole way for BOLD.
The four BOLD hits were by Kyle Athmann, Andrew Brooks, Nick Steffel and Alex Steffel.
- Brian Williams - morris mn Minnesota - bwilly73@yahoo.com
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