PL Jays Yield Late in Section Loss To Burnsville

By Joseph Chapman

The Prior Lake Jays are still trying to integrate the players who have joined in 2017 and seem to be closing on answers to form a lineup to compete in one of MBA Class “B”‘s deeply competitive Sections. MBA evolve from 8 Sections to 4 in 2017 adding the Burnsville Bobcats and Eagan Bandits (as well Savage Outlaws who folded after planning had been completed) to the RVL East teams of Chaska Cubs, Chanhassen Redbirds, Shakopee Indians and Victoria Vics. 4 of the 7 teams will advance to the MBA State Class B Championship Tournament hosted this season by Green Isle, Hamburg & Norwood.

The Jays entering Tuesday Jun e 6, 2017 were 1-1 losing to LeSueur Braves 4-3 in their opener and surging on Henderson late for a 12-3 win with a rainout VS. the Jordan Brewers in their young season. The Burnsville Bobcats were the 1st, of 12, Section 3B seeding games to determine playoffs and representatives advancing to State Tourney play and a beautiful night for ball at Veterans Field in PL. The Jays sent Lawson Zenner to the hill who as in prior starts, was sharp early matching Bobcats starter Maas with no score through 5 innings by either team. Zenner gave up a leadoff double in the 5th, a single in the 4th and 2 walks with 6 strikeouts before Ben Koopman came on in the 6th.

The Bobcats leftfielder Trocke led of the 6th with a double and stoled base and scored on a wild pitch with 2 Koopman making the score 1-0 Burnsville. The Jays answered in the borrom of 6 with a leadoff rip by SS Corey Goodwin whole stoled 2B. With 1 out CF Jeff Butler drew a walk while Goodwin advanced to 3rd on a wild pitch. Jays leftfielder Tyler Edwards laced a 1 out double to the gap plating Goodwin and Butler for 2RBI and was followed by returning Jays DH Joe Loftus who knocked in Edwards making the score 3-1 Jays after 6 complete.

The pesky Bobcats scratched another run in the 7th off of relief pitcher Mike Edlefsen with a 1 out single by centerfielder Prozinski followed by a RBI 2 out double by Trocke. The Jays had a 1-2-3 bottom of 7 with Cress, Buescher and McBeain unable to reach base making the score 3-2 PL after 7 complete. Edlefsen threw a 1-2-3 8th on the Bobcats striking out 2 in his 2nd inning of work while the Jays only mustered a single by Edwards in the bottom of 8.

The Burnsville 9 sent pinch hitter Henson to face PL’s closing pitcher Brock Collins. Henson walked and was followed by a 1-1 single by pinch hitter Opitz. Leadoff batter Prozinski reached on fielders choice for the 1st out when Collins hopped from the mound like a puma and fired to Frederick at 3rd for the force out. The 2nd out was a flyout fould to Jays firstbaseman Peter who broke foul toward the PL fan patio snaring the 2nd out and running the ball back to hold runners. Trocke plating the tying run knocking an RBI 2 out single before Ellefson knocked a long moonball to rightfield that Garrret Quinnell was unable to corral leading to the final 2 Burnsville runs before VanDerWoode ended the Burnsville 9th pulling a ball to right. With the score 5-3 the Jays Peter ripped a 1st pitch for an out before thirdbaseman Rob Frederick drew a walk, With 2 outs catcher Brandt Broderick was drilled. Both advanced on wild pitch before Goodwin, with count full, ripped a hard grounder to Ellefson, who as he had on prior good plays in the day, scooped and fired to 1st ending the Jays rally and game.

 

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E L
Burnsville Bobcats 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 3 5 7 1 8
Prior Lake Jays 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 3 4 2 6

LOB–BURNSVILLE BOBCATS 8, PRIOR LAKE JAYS 6. ERR–Tyler

Edwards, Garrett Quinnell. HBP–Brandt Broderick, Rob Frederick. SACB–Brandt

Broderick. SB–Corey Goodwin.

NEXT UP: Section 3B RVL East game at Schleper Stadium of Tahpah Park VS Shakopee Indians Friday 6/9 730PM (SYBA Youth Night-Youth Jersey=Free Admission)

PL Hardball Day! SATURDAY 6/10 4:00pm-7 inning Exhibition game VS PL Mudcats (CANCELLED 6/8). (PL Pacers VS PL Mariners to follow at 6:00PM) Special $1 ADmission/Donation with game proceeds to support Wounded Warrior Project. Prizes drawings, music and fun for local ballfans.