The PL Jays with late season forced cancellation of Elko Express game Tuesday 8/1 due to playoff change were able to pick up a non league tuner against the powerful Lyons Pub Warriors of the Park National League Sunday 7/30. Finishing 13-4 in their league, they had a bye and were seeking to stay playoff sharp. The Warriors put an 11-1 score on the Jays RVL East foe Victoria earlier this season and squeeked by Shakopee with a 2-1 win this Summer.
The Jays knew coming in, it would be a challenge but also needed to keep pitching sharp for upcoming Section 3B playoffs. Brandt Broderick got the ball to pitch. Brods cruise through the 1st frame yielding 1 hit while striking out the last 2 batters. The 1st out talled as the 1st Pub batter blistered a ball heavy with topspin towards 2nd and Jimmy Cosgrove breaking forwards did a double kneeslide corralling the out. In the 2nd Pub led off singling thrice plating 2 runs before the threat ended with a liner down 1st snared by Tyler Edwards who stepped on 1st to end the inning. In the 3rd Broderick gave up a leadoff hiton a full count before a force out at 2nd that was followed by another hit before Edwards recorded the 2nd consective inning double play collaring a lasered ball then stpping on first for the L3U3 for baseball scorers and ending the inning and Brodericks day on the hill in 3 innings.
Offensively Mike Edlefsen ripped a gap single to left and stoled 2nd but was stranded in the 1st.the Jays drew a walk and reached on error in the 3rd but were outted in order in the 2nd, 4th and 5th. In the 6th Edwards ripped a 2 out ball to the outfield and advanced the 3rd on a passed ball and error before breaking for home attempting a steal but out was not in doubt as the Warriors squashed the attempt. The 7th and 8th were quiet with 1-2-3 7th and Sam Schlachter reaching on error in the 8th but the result was another 1-2-3 inning.
In the 4th, Jays lefty Sam Schlachter toed the hill for the 1st time since the American Legion Post 447 Gold Wizards made a run to the Sub State 6 Championship. Schlachter was around the zone but greeted by Pub with a walk, 2 hits and a sac fly ultimately surrendering 3 runs before a quiet 5th and 6th with 1 hit each a flys to the outfield yielding 3 runs in 3 innings, 2 that were shutouts. Zenner, Peter and Edlefsen each got an inning tossing a combined 0 runs, 2 hits and 5 strikeouts with PL shutting out Pub after the 4th including Schlachters final 2 innings.
The Jays threatened in the 9th with Edlefsen reaching on balls before pinch hitter Scott Geisler struck out. After a Rob Frederick single, Jason Peter flew out deep to Center. With 2 down a pub error in the field at 3rd on Jimmy Cosgroves grounder led to Edlefsen scoring from 3rd. With 2 on Mitch McBeain grounded to 2nd to end the treat and game. The Jays stranded 6 on base in the loss and committed just 1 error on a double play attempt that recorded 1 out on what would have been a great play but Edlefsen getting a ball up the middle then firing to 1st. Edlefsen, Edwards and Frederick bagged the Jays lone hits on the day.
Special Thanks PLABA President Mark Schroeder and Connie Buescher for their support of the Vet Cafe. Great game by Pub and best to them in Class A Playoffs where they will face the Minneapolis Lakers, another Jays non League foe from 2017. Legendary Larry Gallagher was rock steady as umpire calling a great game on a quiet non leaguer Sunday.
Jays Draw Victoria in Playoffs Series 1
The Jays were an early lock into the #7 slot but Victoria Vics went to final Sunday dropping to Burnsville 13-8 and recording 5 errors at home Sunday 7/30. During the regular season the Jays lost 5-3 June 23 (LP-Collins) and 9-7 July 9 (LP-Zenner) in 2 good regular season battles. The Vics, like the Jays, have seen an infusion of new talent with veterans Thulin and Greg/Erik Winegarden the lone vets with many quality new players in recent seasons turning the roster. The Jays squared with Vic in 2016 playoff series losing 5-1 in game 1 before a thriller in game 2 with Scott Geisler ending it in 11 lacing a ball down the leftfield line plating the win in walkoff fashion. The Jays pushed game 3 to the end in Victoria with Jeff Butler not able to knock in the tie and win in the final AB of 2016 vs pitcher Hunter Even, then a rookie. The Vics would go to game 5 in their next series before relenting to the Chaska Cubs who represented Section 3B finishing 4th in 2016 at the MBA Class B Tournament.
PLAYOFF SCHEDULE SERIES 1
SERIES 1 (best of 3 game series): seeds #6 VICTORIA VICS #7 PRIOR LAKE JAYS play on dates: 8/1, 8/2, and 8/3 (winner advances to SERIES 2……loser is eliminated)
Tuesday August 1 730PM at Lions Park-Poppitz Field Victoria. Victoria Vics HOST Prior Lake Jays
Wednesday August 2nd 730PM at Prior Lake Veterans Field of Memorial Park. Prior Lake Jays HOST Victoria Vics
Thursday August 3rd 730PM (If Needed) at Lions Park-Poppitz Field Victoria.Victoria Vics HOST Prior Lake Jays
HOTLINKS:
RVL EAST-SECTION 3B PLAYOFFS-schedules, team links, results, updates.
-Best from the PL Jays & PLABA to longtime supporters Leroy Bohnsack and Jerry Thorsfeldt both under the weather and unable to attend playoff games. Best to them both on speedy recoveries! Jerry was GM of the original “Green Jays” of the 1970’s (his Jacket with “75/76 StateChamps patch” hangs in Vet Cafe and Jays games) and Leroy a long time fan, supporter, founding boardmember of the current Jays and Mudcats and longtime PLABA Executive Boardmember. Both have been fixtures at Jays & Mudcats townball games.
–PL Mudcats of DRS League Class “C” go quietly dropping 6-4 and 13-4 in best of 3 with Veseli completing their 2017 following a Final 16 at the Class C Championships last Summer. DRS Playoffs continue with KCHK 1350/95.5 covering many games and providing updates on local townball action.
–FUNFACT: PL Jays rookie Jimmy Cosgroves Uncle Dave was a key contributor as pitcher for the original 1970’s PL Jays powerhouse teams. The Jays folded after 1975 & 1976 Championship Titles and current team started in 1987 took the name. Former PL Jay Chris Kellys Uncle Bob was also a member of the power “green Jays” of the 1970’s.
-Spotted at Lyons Pub VS Jays Game, former PL Laker standout/graduate and 2016 Cinncinatti Reds draftee Nick Hanson. Hanson was the 2016 Gatorade Player Of the Year for Minnesota high schoolers and was set to attend Kentucky on baseball scholarship before the Reds called. He is optimistic in recovery from elbow surgery to return to the Reds.
