Green Isle 2 vs. BP 1 (Tigertown Classic)
Saturday, June 7th
Green Isle…… 000 002 0--- 2 8 1
Belle Plaine….. 000 100 0--- 1 2 1

ALL HAIL GREEN ISLE
Close No Consolation as Tigers Lose Fifth Straight

--By Brett Kruschke

Belle Plaine's Tigers continued their streaky ways by losing their fourth and fifth consecutive this past week. Eden Prairie broke open a 4-4 game late by finishing the Tigers 12-4 last Tuesday, while Green Isle improved to 17-0 this season with a 2-1 nailbiter in the Tigertown Classic on Saturday.

Green Isle extended their perfection with an 11-0 whooping of Melrose and captured the championship, running their mark to 18-0. Apple Valley bested Marshall 6-5 in the consolation game. Five of the eight games were shutouts. Due to seven teams in the tournament, BP played just once and was done so the six other teams in the tourney would be guaranteed two games. For all the scores, please check the accompanying bracket.

The pride of Tigertown has lost four, won four, and now lost five this season for a 4-9 (3-6 CCL) overall standing. Things don't get any easier as El Tigre ventured to Chaska last night; a summary will appear in next week's paper. Thursday night Waconia visits Tiger Park at 7:30pm. On Saturday, the locals venture north for a matchup with Fort Ripley at 2:00pm; they will return Sunday to play a 6:00pm affair at Jordan. Tuesday concludes a busy week as Arlington stops in for a 7:30pm rematch and a chance to reclaim the traveling helmet.

Eden Prairie 12 @ BP 4 (Tuesday, June 3rd)

Eden Prairie… 102 010 530--- 12 13 1
Belle Plaine…..011 020 000 ---- 4  7 1

Facing the option of a second four-game losing streak, the Tigers entered their 12th must-win game of the season. Zip Zellmann got the nod on the hill against some dude named Dudycha (John). It was a battle of finesse lefty against hard-throwing righty. Gambler, your table is waiting.

The Bandits scored one in the first and two in the third, but our heroes notched one in the second and third to announce their presence with authority. An Eden Prairie tally in the fifth was bettered by a pair of Tiger runs in the bottom half of the frame, and things were knotted at four. Daron Anderson threaded the Tigers' third double in as many innings, plating Danny Huber from first on a hit-and-run. For at least one play, the Tigers weren't being outmanaged.

The hometowners have been on the wrong end of too many big innings this year, and add another log to the fire with Eden Prairie's seventh. The visitors sent all nine men to the plate, abusing pitchers Dave Feldt and Randy Stender like a pair of rental tuxedos. Hot Dog Miller jumped in the fray as well, allowing the first three men he faced in the eighth to score before working out of further trouble. Our beloved Hot Dog turned out more like a Little Smokie. Belle Plaine's bats were "just as guilty as the rest of us" placing but two baserunners over the game's last four innings.

Mike Schultz baffled fans and players alike with a scoreless ninth in his Tigertown mound debut. He was carried off the field by his teammates and will be granted a key to the city by Mayor Harms, following a parade in his honor this Saturday at one o'clock.

Green Isle 2 vs. BP 1 (Saturday, June 7th ~ Tigertown Classic)
Mac Zachow was the center of much controversy the last few months, as he sought and finally received his release from his long-time team, the Gaylord Islanders. Most fans know what the fuss was all about, as Zachow is a primetime player. But for a good crowd and anyone unfamiliar on Saturday night, Mac decided to post a little reminder.

Dan Huber drew the challenge for Team Tigertown, and was equally stingy. He was staked to a lead in the fourth when, after four consecutive strikeouts by Zachow, Anderson doubled. Tim Huber delivered a two-out single and Belle Plaine was on the board.

In this seven-inning tournament format, the Tigers could taste victory. Or maybe it was an undigested pork burger from earlier in the day. Regardless, just six outs were needed to snap the Irish's sixteen-game win streak and most importantly a four-game skid of their own.

Derek Roberts began the sixth with a single, and was soon on third with nobody out after Tim Luskey reached via infield error. Huber got a much-needed punchout of DH Matt Breyer before Green Isle pulled a double-steal to tie the game. After a strikeout of the amazing Whitey Herd-now in his 28th season-Zachow, for some reason batting seventh, sent a bounding ball into centerfield. Tim Huber came up throwing as Luskey chugged home. The throw was on line, but too high, and the Irish had the lead.

With six outs to go, Zachow set our troops down in order, including his eighth and ninth strikeouts in the seventh inning. This is why the Zachow release caused a bigger stir than, let's say, Nick Kordner's several years ago. The Green Machine is well-oiled and headed for Northfield and Dundas with a purpose. The Red Machine just spent $500 on four bald tires and a tow.

 

 

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.