Townball STATE “C” TOURNAMENT 2020: WEEK 2 PL Mudcats de-rail Kimball Express & go deep for the WIN

By Joseph Chapman

Labor Day Weekend 2020 Final 16 on tap for ‘Cats

The PL Mudcats (Region 3C #4 playoff seed) in their week 1 victory over the New Ulm Brewers posted an 11 run 7th in their improbable 13-10 win. In week 2 the ‘Cats ran right off the scoreboard, taking 12 innings in their thrilling 2-1 win over the Class “C” powerhouse Kimball Express (Region 15C #1 playoff seed). With more than 80 pre-sold tickets sold by PL in Cov19 limited capacity at MBA Tournament sites as well strong walkup for Mudcat Luke Weber who has family in the Milroy area, a strong crowd of Prior Lake supporters saw a classic to add to the 2020 lore of the Mudcats short magic season at Milroy Riverside Park.

PL Mudcats Ben Morrison pregame stretch before a 160 pitch 10 inning stint in Week 2 Final 32 game vs Kimball Express. PHOTO: Justin Braun priorlakebaseball.com

Mudcat Ben Morrison locked into a pitchers dual with Ben Johnson from Kimball as both would go 10 innings with the score knotted at 1 before departing the game (1-1 score after 2 complete innings). Corbin Cross knocked in Cole Bjorge to start the scoring in the top of the 1st inning. Morrison worked out of numerous jambs scattering 9 Express hits walking 3 and striking out 9. Kimballs Johnson worked 10 strikeouts with only 1 walk issued to Mudcats batters and 3 hits. The home Express gave the ball to Zach Dingmann in the 11th and he blanked the ‘Cats and the ‘Cats called on Alex Wattermann, week 1 winner in relief in the bottom of the 11th frame following a scoreless top and Morrison 160 pitches into the game.

Alex Wattermann PHOTO: UMDBulldogs.COM

Wattermann put up a zero pitching in the 11th then in the top of the 12th brought the bat with a 1 out double. He scored what would hold as the winning run on a 2 out single by Jake Lehrer for a 2-1 Mudcats score. He then worked on the mound with Kimball threatening with a 2 out single getting the potential tying runner on to drop the hammer and strike out the final batter looking to end the game. Wattermann pitched 2 innings, getting the win in relief and struck out 5, walking none allowing 1 Kimball hit.

 

2016 Prior Lake Mudcats Region 3C Champions

The win propelled the PL Mudcats to the Final 16 in MBA Class “C”, a franchise playoff best equaling the 2016 Mudcats propelling the 2020 ‘Cats to Labor Day weekend. The 2016 team had a bye, dropped Loretto Larks 2-1 before losing out to eventual Runner Up Sobieski Skiis 5-4 in 11 innings at Hutchinson. 4 straight wins will be needed as the single elimination bracket works down to crowning a Champion on Labor Day 2020 in Springfield. The Prior Lake Mudcats will take on the Bemidji Blue Ox of the Northwest Border League and Region 10C Champions Saturday September 5 500PM at Milroy Riverside Park. The winner of that game will also need 2 wins Sunday to advance to the MBA Class “C” Championship Labor Day 2020.

The Minnesota Baseball Association (MBA) has done full recaps of all 2020 Tournament games and has the full game story & stats at the link below. KCHK 95.5 also is reporting scores and schedules throughout the MBA Class “B” & “C” Tournaments and will carry the game with Aaron & Mark Worm on the call.

NEXT UP: Prior Lake Mudcats VS Bemidji Blue Ox Sat Sept 5th 300PM at Milroy Riverside Park.

IF YOU GO: Remaining tickets (#125 tickets Per Team PRESALE) will be on sale 30 minutes prior to gametime, $7 for ALL. For remaining tickets, one person can purchase up to six tickets at the gate. THANKS in advance for cooperation on MBA Cov19 Protocol at entry. NO PETS, Cash only. You may also email: priorlakemudcats@gmail.com to reserve tickets BEFORE 4PM Tuesday 9/1 or to see if any of team allotment remains. MBA will post remaining tickets on main web page.

AND… The winner of PL/Bemidji in the Final 16 single elimination will face the ColdSpringRockies/Isanti winner in Springfield Sunday Sept 6 300PM in Final 8. (and 600PM VS Buffalo/Foley or Jordan/Fairmont bracket winner Final 4).

IF YOU CANNOT ATTEND: 95.5FM KCHK will broadcast Sat 9/5 as well games to be streamed for purchase to watch LIVE at PrepSpotlight.TVand IScore live scoring through MBA Website.

AREA BALLERS REPRESENTING: Elko Express (DRS-Section 1B), New Prague Orioles, St Patrick Irish, Union Hill Bulldogs, Prior Lake Mudcats (DRS-Region 3C) from the Dakota Rice Scott League and Chanhassen Red Birds, Chaska Cubs, Victoria Vics, Prior Lake Jays (RVL East-Section 3B) as well Jordan Brewers, Gaylord Islanders (DRS-Region 6C) from the River Valley League are participants in the MBA 16 team Class “B” and 48 team “C” State Tournaments. With New Ulm opting out of hosting at Historic Johnson and Mueller Parks, The Class “C” Tournament will be hosted by Springfield (was a 2020 3rd Site) and Milroy Riverside Park while the entire Class “B” Tournament will be hosted by Shakopee. (Teams with Strikethrough eliminated as of 8/31 after week 2)

HOTLINKS:

Minnesota Baseball Association (Townballs governing body)

MBA Week 2 VS Kimball Express Story/Recap (CLICK)

MBA Box Score Week 2 VS Kimball (CLICK)

MUDCATS/DRS League- Region 3C Link

2020 MBA Class “C” Tournament Bracket/Info

PRIOR LAKE JAYS/RVL East League-Section 3B Link

2020 MBA Class “B” Tournament Bracket/Info

Scott Counties Townball Flamethrower, KCHK 95.5FM/1350AM provides updates on local Townball!