HAS THE ROAR BEEN RESTORED?
Tigers Snap Losing Streak, Dump Waconia, Jordan

--By Brett Kruschke

Don't pull the pin on this season just yet. A little club named Pluck came out of Jordan Sunday night with an impressive 8-2 win over the previously undefeated (6-0 in the CCL, that is) Brewers. Preceded by a 9-6 handling of Rob Wagener and the Waconia Lakers on Thursday, the Tigers carried some momentum into last night's "Battle for the Helmet" versus Arlington. The usual vivid description will follow in next week's Herald. The Tigers had lost six in a row; their longest losing streak previously during the Kruschke Era (since 1999) was four, in 2000. The Fort Ripley game scheduled for last Saturday was cancelled and will not be made up.

Friday night will see the Tiger Train head west for Winthrop, 7:30pm first ball. On Sunday it's a good-old fashioned doubleheader, against the likes of St. Peter at 2:00pm and the Shakopee Indians at 6:00pm. I'm not certain your ticket to the first game will get you into both, but let's go with it. If you're a season-ticket holder like Cassidy Hiles and the gang, you save the worry and stroll in like you own the place. Aah, membership has its privileges.

Tuesday night will feature the "smoke 'em if you got 'em" style of play that only the Victoria Vics can bring to the table. 7:30pm, at home, the third of a five-game Tiger homestand. At 6-10 overall, 5-7 in the league, let's not forget these Tigers are loveable.

BP 0 @ Chaska 8 (Tuesday, June 10th)
The Chaska Gophers are loaded for bear as usual, and started a young man in Justin Allen, who at least one player referred to as their ace. Fair enough. But after Allen departed with a 5-0 lead after five, here comes former AAA-pitcher for the Colorado Rockies, Ryan Seifert, humming at 90-plus. Now (manager) John Seifert, that's just plain mean.

Mike Murphy started and didn't fare as poorly as his final line would indicate, although that would be difficult as he was smacked around pretty good. Murph lasted through 5.2 innings before Dave Feldt and Mike Schultz mopped up. Belle Plaine collected only three singles on offense. To top it off, Pat Moriarty misplaced his keys for a good while as mosquitoes converged. It might have been a good night to stay home and snuggle up with a movie from Dan Huber's Blockbuster Video (coming soon).

Waconia 6 @ BP 9 (Thursday, June 12th)

Waconia…….. 020 000 022---6 6 2
Belle Plaine…. 330 210 00x---9 12 3

Team Tigertown cruised for most of this game, leading 9-2 after five until the Lakers made things interesting with two in the eighth and ninth, bringing the tying run to the plate. Wagener, who has mastered the hometowners (not to be confused with home-owners) in the past, didn't seem to have his good stuff and was gone after four. Gooooo club!

Trace "the Windmill" Selly was out nursing his nagging quad, but took his aggressive nature to the third-base coach's box. Daron Anderson stroked three hits and Pat "the Human Lawn Jart" Schultz (see Chaska game) went 2-for-2. It was a rough few days for the Tiger catcher, who had a few run-ins with the turf. (And you know what I'm talking about, homeboy!) Maybe rescuing kitties is more your line of work.

Pat Moriarty and Tim "I'll play when I wanna play" Huber also enjoyed multi-hit efforts; Moriarty clubbed the team's second home run of the year and tallied four RBI. He was so happy his patchy beard actually came together for a minute.

After Shane Hofmann worked six innings of two-run ball, Dave "LaTroy of the late 90's" Feldt and Ryan Witt took the reigns. Each was a victim of sloppy play in the field, although Witt struck out the side in his mound debut. And most importantly, the Tigers were able to back up their game-long swagger by hanging on for the win.

BP 8 @ Jordan 2 (Sunday, June 15th)

Belle Plaine…. 210 102 101- 8 15 1
Jordan……… 000 002 000 - 2 6 1

Yes, dad would rather take a trip to Fleet Farm (the man's mall) than have a Tiger victory for Father's Day, but Belle Plaine's mighty steeds thought it might be neat to try both. And do it they did.

Tom Smith, who beat the Tigers 3-2 in early May, was back on the hill for Jordan. But this time the Tigers were all over him like flies on a ribroast. El Tigre was active throughout the contest, scoring runs in six of the game's nine frames. I guess relentless is a word that comes to mind.

Dan Huber got the nod opposite Smith, and was sharp. He was working with catcher Chad Hoffman, our Johnny-on-the-spot who worked a fine game. Huber was money for five innings, gave up two in the sixth and then was removed with one out and runners on the corners in the seventh. Mike Murphy relieved on this hot and sticky day, walking the first man he faced. That's when SS Adam Hoffman and 2B Danny Huber combined on a beautiful double play, no doubt the play of the game. From there on it was gravy for Murph, as he closed things out.

Dan Huber also raised his average by 101 points with a 4-for-4 outing, staking claim to player of the game honors. Fighting fiecely for that distinction was D-man Anderson, posting his second consecutive three-hit game to raise his average to .377. Uh-oh, the weather-man is heating up!

The Tigers posted 15 hits in all, as Selly, Moriarty, Jeff Witt, and Adam Hoffman all collected two knocks. It was a satisfying victory, like when the Indians beat the Yankees in Major League.

 

 

This page was created and maintained by Nick Kornder, Sports Information Director at the University of Minnesota, Crookston. The views and ideas on this page are that of the author, and not those of the University of Minnesota.