Tough competition downs Legion team

It was a tough week for the Maple Lake Legion baseball squad as they competed against two teams that just finished playing in the Minnesota State High School League state baseball tournament.

On Monday, June 16, the squad travelled to St. Michael where they played a double header and lost both games due to the 10-run rule. Then on Thursday they hosted Annandale in yet another double header and in the first game they lost a close one 8-7 and the second ended with a score of 9-0.

Maple Lake vs. St. Michael

Behind the pitching of Noah Kelm and their defense, Maple Lake gave up a total of 11 runs in the first two innings, two in the first and nine in the second.

Maple Lake, on the other hand, scored just one run in two innings of play. Luke Fobbe, who led off the game by getting on base, scored their only run.

Nick Hudek connected for Maple Lake’s lone hit in the top of the third, but he was left stranded. Mitch Wurm came in to relieve N. Kelm from the pitching duties in the bottom of the third and he gave up just one run on an error.

With the score at 12-1, Maple Lake went three-up and three-down in the top of the fourth and fifth innings to end the game due to the 10-run rule. Their defense did, however, hold St. Michael scoreless in the bottom of the fourth.

In the second game of the night, Maple Lake took the field first. Luke Fobbe took over the pitching duties for Maple Lake, and they managed to give up just two runs on a two-run home run.

Down 2-0 going into the bottom of the first, Maple Lake rallied to gain the lead as Decker, Jordan Kelm, and Hudek all crossed home plate for a run. Knudsen drove in a run for Maple Lake as he connected for a single, and Hannon also brought in a run.

Unfortunately, Maple Lake didn’t hold onto their lead for long as St. Michael scored four runs on two hits, one error, and a walk. In the bottom of the second, Decker connected for a two-out single, but he would be left stranded at second.

More information appears in this weeks issue of the Messenger.