Mudbirds Finish 1-3 In State Tourney Appearance

By PLB Admin

State Tourney Game 3 @ Belle Plaine 8/27/05
                123 456 7       R  H  E
PL Mudbirds     200 000 0       2   6  1
Mpls Bombers    001 010 1       3   3  1

SP-J.Haugen (5IP) APP/LP-D.Zeyen (1 2/3 IP)
Catcher-K.McDonald

The PL Mudbirds went into their 3rd game of the 2005 MSMABA Tourney seeking their 1st Tourney victory and sent Jack Haugen to the mound for pitching duties when they squared with the Minneapolis Bombers Sat 8/27.  The 'Birds 1st two batterers reached as LF Jay Jendersee started the game with a single and 2nd batter CF John Kipkowski reached on an error by the Mpls 3B. Following a hard line out by SS Mike Lohrmann and 3B John Amadeo striking out, catcher Kevin McDonald laced a 2 out, 2RBI double deep to LF plating runs by Jendersee & Kipkowski.  PL's bats fell silent in the 2nd and 3rd but McDonald, who led PL batters on the day (2/3 2 doubles, 2 RBI),  ripped another double with 1 out in the 4th that was followed by a 1 out single by John Anderson.  Both were stranded to end the PL threat.  Haugen faced 24 walking 9, yielding 2 hits and getting timely defense on 2 double plays (3rd & 4th inn).  With consecutive 1-2-3 innings in the 5th and 6th for the offense and Minneapolis plating runs in the 3rd and 5th to lock the score at 2, Don Zeyen came on in relief when the lead runner walked on in the 6th.  The runner was stranded in the Mpls 6th and Zeyen tried to help his cause with a 1 out double in the 7th but a 1 out Bomber double would score on an infield throwing error with 2 outs to win the game for the Bombers in the bottom of the 7th.  The offense was unable to support a combined 3 hitter by Haugen & Zeyen pitching.  FINAL SCORE 3-2 Minneapolis Bombers over PL Mudbirds.

State Tourney Game 4 @ Jordan 8/28/05
                 123 456 7      R 
PL Mudbirds      112 81X X      13
Morris Legends 100 00X X        1  

SP/WP J. Anderson (4 innings), D.Zeyen (1 inning)
Catcher-K.McDonald

Lefty John Anderson got the start for the final game of 2005 for the inaugural season of the 35 and over Prior Lake Mudbirds at Jordans “Mini Met” on Sunday 8/28.The lone run by the Morris Legends was scored in the first to knot the game at one but the 'Birds would play good defense to end all threats and cruise on the power of the 8 run 4th enroute to a shortened 5 inning 13-1 victory to close out 2005.  Don Zeyen pitched a scoreless 5th for PL in relief.  Leading the hitting for PL was LF Jendersee (3/4 2 runs scored), CF Kipkowski (2-3, BB, run scored), SS Lohrmann (2/3 BB 2RBI & 2 Runs Scored), 2B/P Zeyen (Double, Triple, Walk 2 Runs Scored) and Pitcher Anderson who singled, doubled and also scored 2 runs.  The Mudbirds sent 26 batters up in the 5 innings picking up 12 hits to finish strong in the 2005 Tourney. FINAL SCORE 13-1 PL Mudbirds over Morris Legends.

The Mudbirds went 1-3 in State Tourney play following a 3-7 regular season for the inaugural season and return of Over 35 baseball to the  Prior Lake Savage area.  PLABA had sponsored an At-Large team in the 2004 Tourney that had primarily members of local town teams to fill a bracket slot and also went 1-3 in Tourney play.  PL was an original member of the MSMABA when it formed in 1980 and was runner up the first season and won the Championship in 1981 as host.  The team later disbanded.