Prior Lake High Clipped in Playoffs, LakerLegion On!
The PL Lakers had an exciting Spring for fans finishing 9-8 in the SSC and 9-11 overall. In what may be a school record, the Lakers had an incredible 12 1 run games in the regular season with 7 being losses. In Section 3AAA the Lakers went 2-2 dropping Park of Cottage Grove 5-0 before dropping 5-4 to Burnsville, beating Bloomington Jefferson 2-1 and getting eliminated in a 2-1 thriller to Eastview. Thanks to Coach Nesbitt & his staff and good luck to the players. SPECIAL THANKS to “retiring” PL Activities Director Eric Rodine & thanks to him for his hard work and support of PL hardball in his tenure which included the transition to the South Suburban Conference.
The LakerLegion “Wizards” kicked off their Summer campaign with a 7-5 win over Rosemount in PL June 8. Coach Kevin Nagel and company will once again feature a challenging schedule to test the PL 9 in preparation for the always challenging District 3 Playoffs (Sub Districts will be partially hosted in PL).
LAKER LEGION 2015 TEAM TAB/LINK
Mudcats Split Rice County Duo VS Lonsdale and Montgomery, Prep for Tourney.
The host Mudcats square with Lonsdale Aces and revered skipper Darrel Voseipka Friday 6/6 in front a large and raucous crowd that was not disappointed. The ‘Cats down 9-4 plated 3 in the 5th, 1 in the 7th and with 2 out in the 9th scored twice off a Cole Bjorge opposite field bingle to win the game. Justin Hackett blanked the Aces in 5 innings work for the win.
The Mudcats welcomed 2015 DRS VS RVL ALL Star Game Host Montgomery Mallards to PL Sunday 6/7 and gave up 3 in the 8th inning with Montgomery holding on while the ‘Cats answered for 2 runs in the 9th while losing 8-7. Cole Bjorge, Jake Lehrer and Noah Rezac bagged 2 hits in the effort for the ‘Cats.
MUDCATS NEXT UP: Highway 55 (Kimball/Maple Lake) Tournament VS Freeport 615PM Friday 6/12 at Maple Lake.
Jays 1-2 in Elko New Market Budweiser Invitational Tournament, Thump St Patrick in “Bud Bonus Game” for Trophy.
Game 1 Sat. 6/6 VS Bloomington Bandits LOSS 5-3 (10) The PL Jays, 2014 Runner Up to Coon Rapids, returned to the Bud Invitational and faced the Bloomington Bandits in Game 1 at New Market Hillside Park. The Jays tallied the 1st run in the 2nd inning with 2 outs when catcher Tommy Keating reached and advanced on error and a wild pitch scoring on another Bloomington error off the bat of third baseman Brandt Broderick. Bloomington answered with a run by a walk, stolen base and a single off of Jays starting pitcher TJ Larson who tossed 7 innings yielding 1 run, 2 hits, 2 walks and 13 strikeouts. The Jays tallid 2 runs in the 3rd on a leadoff single by centerfielder Jonesy Buescher and a 1 out double by first baseman Tyler Edwards who scored and DH Ryan Mestniks single making the score 3-1 PL. Dominic Reed (LP) threw a scoreless 8th in relief of Larson striking out 2. The Bandits drew a walk to start the 9th and with 1 out drew an additional walk followed by a double to tie the game at 3. The Jays threatened with walks issued to leftfielder Adam Cress who was bunted to 2nd by Buescher and rightfielder Nick Vaage who drew a 1 out walk but the 2 were stranded sending the game to the 10th inning. The Bandits singled to start the 10th and took the lead on a 1 out squeeze followed by a pitch catcher Justin Okerstrom was unable to block and Bloomington runner just sliding under the tag of Reed for the 5th Bandit run. The Jays were unable to answer in a 1-2-3 bottom of the inning on a complete 10 inning game win by Bloomington pitcher Mike Fobbe who struck out 3 and walked 3 yielding 3 runs, 2 earned scattering 10 hits. Reed was hung with the loss. Jays batting leaders: Tyler Edwards 3-4, BB, 2B, RBI, Jonesy Buescher 2-4, sac, run, Jeff Butler 2-4, Ryan Mestnik 1-4 RBI
B 001 000 002 2 5
PLJ 012 000 000 0 3
SP-TJ Larson (7), APP/LP-Dom Reed (3) and Tom Keating (7)/Justin Okerstrom (3)
GAME 2-Consolation Bracket-PL Jays VS New Market Muskies Sat 6/6 LOSS 4-3 The Jays returned to Hillside Park facing co-host the New Market Muskies who took a 4-0 lead after 3 off of Jays starting pitcher Nick Anderson who walked 3 in the 1st with a Geisler to Edwards 4-3 out plating the run. The Muskies scored thrice in the 3rd inning on a leadoff Jays error, strikeout with a passed ball followed by a 3 run homer to left by New Market slugger Nate Rost. The Jays answered for 3 runs in the 5th inning on singles by DH Dan Schroeder, third baseman Bryn Forstner and shortstop Andrew Wilson. Schroeder scored on a passed ball while Forstner scored on a fielders choice by catcher Brandt Broderick. Broderick scored on a 2 out single by centerfielder Jonesy Buescher. Pat Galvin threw a scoreless 8th striking out 2 yielding 1 walk and 1 Muskies hit. The Jays bats went silent after the 5th with the Muskies bagging the win 4-3. Jays pitcher Anderson pitched 7 innings striking out 7 while walking 6 while Galvin tossed 1. Jays batting leaders: Dan Schroeder 2-4, run, Bryn Forstner 1-3 run and 5 others bagging hits in the Jays lineup.
PLJ 000 030 000 3
NM 103 000 00X 4
SP/LP-Nick Anderson (7), Galvin (1) and Brandt Broderick
GAME 3-Bud Bonus Game (7th Place)–PL Jays VS St Patrick Irish Sun 6/7 WIN 15-3 (7) The Jays squared with another DRS/Scott County team, the St Patrick Irish for the engraved bat awarded to the winner of the “Bud Bonus Game”. Jays starting pitcher Austin Truso allowed 3 walks and 2 hits in the 1st inning leading to 2 Irish runs before settling and blanking St Pats in innings 2-5. The Jays bats were kept off the board in the 1st 2 innings before plating 3 in the 3rd on a leadoff walk to third baseman Bryn Forstner, singles by catcher Jim Schroeder and leftfielder Jeff Butler before a RBI walk to centerfielder Buescher and a 1 out 2 RBI double by first baseman Tyler Edwards. The Jays blew the game open in the 5th batting 11 while scoring 7 on 6 hits and 3 Irish errors including a 2 RBI double by Butler and a RBI triple by Nick Vaage. The Jays also plated 5 runs in the 6th inning on singles by Edwards and Vaage followed by a RBI double by second baseman Scott Geisler. With 1 out a walk to Adam Cress loaded the bases for an RBI walk to Jim Schroeder and RBI single by Butler with a sacrifice fly by Buescher completing the scoring. Austin Truso got the pitching win for PL scattering 6 hits, 5 walks, striking out 4 and allowing 2 earned runs. Tyler Edwards threw a scoreless 7th facing 3 and striking out 2 in the 10 run shortened contest. Jays Batting Leaders: Edwards 3-4, 3RBI, 2 runs, double, Butler 3-4 3RBI, 2 runs, double, Geisler 2-3, 2RBI, 2 runs, double, Vaage 2-4, RBI, 2 runs, triple, Jim Schroeder 1-2, 3 runs, walk, RBI.
PLJ 003 075 0 15
StP 200 001 0 3
SP/WP-Austin Truso (6) APP-Tyler Edwards (1) and Jim Schroeder
JAYNOTES:
-Congrats to former Jay & RVL All Star Kyle & Jessica Zweber on the birth of Madeline Rose on June 5.
-Congratulations to Jays player and 2014 PLHS grad Tyler Edwards being named to the NJCAA Division 2 2nd Team All American!
Jays UPCOMING ACTION:
Wed 6/10 730PM HOST Eagan Bandits (non league-2014 State Class B Tourney qualifier)
Fri 6/12 730PM AT Shakopee Tahpah Park Joe Schleper Stadium VS Shakopee Indians (1 of 15 Section 3B seed games)
Sun 6/14 AT Minnetonka Millers 730PM
Tues 6/16 AT Belle Plaine Tigers 730PM
Thurs 6/18 HOST PL Mudcats 700PM
Fri 6/19 AT LeSueur Braves 730PM
TEXS HOT CORNER
“Part of the great part of being involved in Townball for 30 years or so has been the great people I have been able to meet at many great parks & communities around the State. With reflection of my days in “the game” and a heavy heart I report the passing of a great contributor to the local baseball scene, George Maxa of New Prague. For those not privileged to know him, George was a writer for the New Prague Times, specifically the short snapshots of all games taking place in a given week for the DRS League. Additionally he was longtime resident of the “crows nest” supporting the public address function for New Prague games. Having been a player in the league for and GM of the PL Mudcats for 15+ years I was fortunate to have many interactions with him relaying information on games, getting standings for the latest game day program and catching up with him on the League even after I transitioned to the PL Jays. I think it no coincidence that the level of play and interest in support of the DRS during his tenure kept growing in part due to his reports beyond the statistics. He had a great way to turn a phrase and I miss his “old time” baseball lingo woven in his recaps. Ask a younger player what a “bingle” or “clout” are and I suspect a blank stare would be your reply. His love of the game and pride in what he was doing showed. I’ll miss our infrequent meetings with his “trademark voice”, great sense of humor and deep heartfelt laugh. I’d always offer up a cold drink when we met on his tours getting details on that Sundays DRS games, hearing who was hot and what the next big matchups might be. Just this past weekend, I discussed George as a HOF candidate to Coach Bergstrom in New Market and without hesitation think him deserving although he’d not likely embrace the attention.
My deepest personal sympathies to his family and close friends, your sadness is shared. George was a true gentleman and great friend to those who love the game, weather they knew him or not. The next time I make it to Union Hill, Miesville or Rosen I’ll turn my ear to the corn and listen for you George. Thanks for your friendship. Joseph “Tex” Chapman GM PL Jays Baseball Club”
MAXA MBA ARTICLE (click to link)
Volume 1: New Lights, Laker Preview, Blast & Golf Tourney Hype
Volume 2: Laker Early Season Shavings, Cats Opener, Blast Thanks
Volume 3: Lakers Regular Season Shavings, ‘Cats Early Season, Jays Opener, Golf Champs.
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