Topher Rose, Ben Morrison and longball propel the PL Mudcats through DRS Round of the 2019 playoffs.
The PL Mudcats fought to the wire dropping a decision at New Prague that slotted them as #6 Seed in DRS round of playoffs while the top 4 finishers received a bye to Regional play. The Mudcats drew the Webster Sox, who the ‘Cats clipped for 7-6 win June 16 and a 2-1 thriller on June 19 in PL.
The Mudcats Topher Rose and 6/19 Webster losing pitcher Jarod Opsahl locked horns in what became a pitchers dual at Veterans Field in Prior Lake on Tuesday July 23. PL struck 1st in the bottom of the 4th inning with a 1 out laser ripped out of The Vet by Cole Bjorge on a 3-1 count sharply to left, a no doubter that charged the PL fan faithful.
With a 1-0 score for PL in the 7th, Jake Lehrer took a 1 out 1-1 count offering high to left cresting and carrying out beyond the fence. The moonball padded the ‘Cats lead to 2-0 after 7 frames while Rose kept the visiting Sox down posting zeros through 8 innings. Rose was tested in a dramatic top of 9 as Chaney drew a leadoff walk and both runners were safe with no outs on a Tucker bunt while Hoffman followed with a bunt to load the bases. The Sox recorded an infield fly out that scored a run and then a line drive snared by PL third baseman Alex Waterman recorded the 2nd Webster out. Rose dug deep following a walk to load up the bases then bouncing back working a strikeout from a 2-2 count and sealing the Mudcats game 1 win. Rose scattered 6 hits, while Websters Opsahl held the Mudcats to 3 hits, 2 by Bjorge and Jake Lehrers home run which held for the margin in the 2-1 playoff win.
In Game 2 in Elko VS Webster on Thursday July 25, the Mudcats sent wily Ben Morrison to the hill hoping to advance past DRS Playoffs to Region 3C with a win. The Mudcats posted lone runs in the 1st 3 innings blanking the “home” Sox until the scratch a run in the 4th and equaled the score in the 5th inning plating 2 on the Mudcats for a 3-3 score after 5 complete with the Sox facing elimination with a loss.
The ‘Cats outfielder Cole Bjorge provided what would become the margin of victory lacing an 0-2 Jeremy Wieland offering deep to right field for a home run. Morrison settled blanking the Sox for the balance of the game while the Mudcats scred 3 runs in each the top of the 8th and 9th completing the 10-3 Mudcats game and series win. Morrison scatted 7 hits pitching for PL. Longtime Black Sox standout Wieland announced his final game playing for the Sox with a move to Florida following the playoff loss.
NEXT UP: at New Prague Memorial Park in 2019 MBA Region 3C Playoffs 100PM Sunday July 28 VS #3 seeded New Prague Orioles.
HOTLINKS (Click below):
GAME 1 BoxScore-ReplayGAME 2 BoxScore-Replay
2019 REGION 3C Playoff Bracket
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