Breaking down the Saints sweep

Did I not guarantee a great game two days ago in this blog? For the fourth straight time in the regular season, Hutchinson and Dassel-Cokato gave fans a real treat.

There were a few Saints home runs, an ejection, some clutch hitting from the Huskies, lots of chirping back and forth and a one-pitch save.

The game really had everything, and it was awesome to see all the fans "pack the park."

Really, I think the game came down to a couple of things: two-strike hitting and base running.

Hutchinson had three clutch hits with two strikes. 1. Luke Klitzke's two-run single in the first came on an 0-2 count 2. Tim Thode had a two-run single in the sixth with an 0-2 count 3. Evan Kohli drove a 1-2 pitch for a ground rule double in that same inning.

As far as base running, D-C had Eric Hanson thrown out at second base for the second out of the fourth inning. Earlier in the inning, D-C had guys at first and third and Tim Thode successfully got an out on a third to second base force out. Then came the stolen base attempt and a pop out.

Shawn Larson also tried scoring from third base on a ball that catcher Justin Juergensen blocked with his chest. Larson was also caught rounding third base with Jordan Schwarze backing up a misplayed ball by Thode...he threw it to the base and Thode got the tag out. The bases would have been loaded for hot-hitting Matt Bergstrom.

So, what now?

Hutchinson clinches a top two seed and a first-round bye if one of three things happen:

1. D-C loses one of three games (2 vs St. Michael, 1 vs Delano)
2. St. Michael loses two of four games (2 vs DC, 1 Delano, 1 vs Maple Lake)
3. Hutchinson beats Delano Monday

Hutchinson can clinch the top seed overall in Region 8B if:
1. St. Michael loses one more game and Hutch beats Delano

From Minnesota Baseball association web site:
*Cold Spring hosts the Nick Bell Classic this weekend at the Cold Spring Baseball Park.

Cold Spring hosts the Nick Bell Classic this weekend at the Cold Spring Baseball Park. The classic started in the mid 1980s when Bill Huls was the manager. It was originally titled the Central Minnesota Challenge. Usually three of the top local teams would take on three teams from other areas of the state. Now, however, there aren't enough local "B" teams that are available to play. Most of the "C" teams are now in their League Playoffs and aren't available to play either.

Cold Spring, Hutchinson, Minneapolis Cobras and Lyons Pub, Rosetown and the Brainerd Bees are all playing this weekend. The schedule goes like this: Friday at 6:30 P.M. Cold Spring plays Hutchinson. At 8:30 P.M. The Minneapolis Cobras play the Rosetown A's. On Saturday, it is Brainerd vs Lyons Pub at 1:00 P.M., Brainerd vs the Cobras at 3:00 P.M., Lyons Pub vs Hutchinson at 5:00 P.M. and Cold Spring vs Rosetown at 7:00 P.M.

On Sunday, Brainerd plays Hutchinson at Noon, Lyons Pub plays Rosetown at 2:00 P.M., and Cold Spring plays the Cobras at 4:00 P.M.

Cold Spring is one of the favorites to win the Class "B" State Tournament this year. They have lost only three times all season while winning thirty-one. They have gone to the State Tourney a record twenty straight times. They have won seven titles winning back to back Championships in 2000 and 2001.