The PL Jays have continued to fight in the “win light” 2016 season but have come up short in a recent stretch of games losing 7-6 in 10 innings at Chanhassen 7/15, 8-6 hosting Shakopee 7/17 getting the winning run to the plate stranding 8 vs the Indians and losing 6-4 at Victoria 7/20 (makeup from 7/1 Victoria lacking players) which stranded 14 while getting the winning run to the plate in the 9th and committed 2 posted (& 2 unposted) errors in the key loss at Victoria.
At Lions Park-Poppitz Field, the visiting Jays plated 2 in the 1st on veteran Vic Chris Thulin with thirdbaseman Sam Kortes reaching on a fielders choice followed by a 2 out single by DH Dan Schroeder. Second baseman Jim Schroeder ripped a 0-1 pitch for the RBI knocking in Kortes. Following a Tom Keating single, leftfielder Jeff Butler ripped a 3-2 count for RBI making the score 2-0 Jays, Vic posted 1 in the 1st on starter Austin Truso and evened the score with 1 run in the 2nd. Following a scoreless third, catcher Keating reached on a leadoff walk and was bunted to 2nd by Butler then advanced to thirdbase in by rightfielder Bryan Sanchez. TJ Larson plated Keating on a groundout to 2nd. Shortstop Chris Kelly knocked a 3-2 count 2 out single to score Sanchez and the Vics answered with 1 run making it 4-3 after 4 completed.
Truso blanked the Vics in the 5th and 6th innings before yielding to Lawson Zenner in relief. In the top of the 7th Jim Schroeder laced a 2-2 shot up the middle. Keating ripped a double past the Vics LF but Schroeder was cut at the plate by ½ step sliding head first to home. A Butler (3-4, Sac, RBI) single got Keating (3-3, Run, 2B) to 3rd but both were stranded while the host Vics in the bottom plated 3 runs on a single, error, RBI single followed by a 2 out error that scored 2 runs. The 3 tallied made the game 6-4 after 7 innings. Centerfielder Jonsey Buescher (3-4, BB) ripped a 1 out single in the 8th off of Thulin but was stranded on groundout to pitcher and unusual ripped ball up the middle deflecting from pitcher to 3rd baseman who corralled the ball and threw to first to end the inning & Jays threat. The Jays scratched to the end in the 9th with 6-4 score Jim Schroeder (3-5, RBI) led off with a single followed by a 2 out pinch hit single to LF gap by Tiny Nelson. Following a walk to firstbaseman TJ Larson (1-4, RBI, BB) to load the bases Chris Kelly (1-6, RBI) went to a full count on reliever Riley Sweeny (Save) before grounding out on a sharply ripped ball to 2nd base to end the game.
The Jays 16 hits were scattered with 14 stranded and 4 errors leading to 3 Victoria runs. Truso pitched 6 innings with 2 earned (3 allowed) runs while Zenner pitched 2 allowing 3, 1 earned on 4 hits, 0 walks, 1HBP and 2K.
BOXSCORE (CLICK HERE)
SECTION 3B Details/Scores/Standings (CLICK HERE)
SCHEDULE CHANGES/UPDATES:
The Jays Friday 7/22 game at Northfield has been cancelled and will not be re-scheduled. Injuries in the Jays lineup and makeup games with Victoria coupled with the stretch run for 2016 have challenged the Jays to field a lineup.
The Jays Saturday 7/23 game HOSTING Victoria will be at Thomas Ryan Memorial Park down Mushtown Road (South at McDonalds on Hwy13, 1st left and 1st right, complex on the West side of Mushtown Road). This game is a makeup from torrential rains and punishing winds Tuesday July 5th. PL Post 447 is hosting Sub District 3 American Legion playoffs 7/20-24 at Veterans Field of Memorial Park. Concessions will be limited, BYOB, Admission TBD.
PL Diamond Maps/Info (CLICK HERE)
PLAYOFFS: Section 3B features the 4 VS 5 Seeds playing to reach the Section Final 4 as #4 seed.
GAME 1-Sunday 7/31 600PM #5 at #4
GAME 2-Tuesday 8/2 730PM #4 at #5
GAME 3-Wednesday 8/3 730PM #5 at #4 (if needed)
FINAL 4 Section 3B (Best of 5 Series-3 umpires):
GAME 1-Friday 8/5 730PM #1 HOSTS 1st round winner (#4/5), #2 HOSTS #3
GAME 2-Sun 8/7 TBD #1 at #4/5, #2 at #3
GAME 3-Tues 8/9 730PM at high seeds.
GAME 4-Thurs 8/11 at lower seed (if needed)
GAME 5-Fri 8/12 at higher seed (if needed)
SEED GAME- Sat 8/13-Series Winners (Winner Section 3 #1 Seed at MBA Tournament)
*Games suspended and resume on next date if impacted by weather.
Season Passes NOT valid for Section 3B playoffs.
Admission: $5 adults, $2 Students, 12 & under FREE.
Integra PL Hardball Hotline will have the latest…952-226-3800.