By JODY WYNNEMER
Staff Writer
The New Richland Reds baseball team’s quest for yet another division championship in 2011 is off to a somewhat rocky start. For the first three games, all losses, they were outscored 23-3.
New Market Muskies 9, Reds 2
The Reds traveled to Lonsdale to take on New Market on April 29 and only managed five hits. Vinnie VanEnglenburg and Jason Churchill each had two hits. Four different pitchers saw action on the mound.
Blue Earth Pirates 10, Reds 0
“It was another tough day at the plate,” said Jason Churchill, Reds Player/Manager after the shutout on May 15th. “We only had three hits.”
Cleveland Condors 4, Reds 1
The New Richland Nine ventured to Cleveland and lost to the home team by a narrow margin.
“We took an early 1-0 lead,” said Churchill. “Then we fell behind and just couldn’t comeback. We had plenty of opportunities with runners in scoring position. We just played poor defense and allowed the Condors too many scoring chances and they took advantage of them.”
Reds 14, Cleveland Spiders 3 (7 innings)
The Reds found their bats on May 29 as they pounded out 14 hits highlighted by seven runners crossing home plate in the first frame. Kellen Utpadel earned the win on the mound with four good innings of two hit ball. Churchill, Brett Wangsness, Dan Fitterer, Utpadel and Tory Somage all collected two hits a piece.
“First win of the season,” said Churchill. “The bats got rolling in the first and we never looked back.”
Pine Island 10, Reds 0 (seven innings)
Despite Aaron Gilliland having a three-hit day, the Reds fell to the Pioneers of Pine Island in a shortened seven inning tilt. The NR defense committed three errors and Utpadel took the loss on the hill.
“It was a dissappointing trip to Pine Island,” said Churchill. “It was a real tough day for the offense only managing four hits total; coupled with the errors in the field.”
Reds 10, Morristown 8 (10 innings)
Fans in the stands were treated to a fine 13/60 League contest at Morristown on June 5. The scoring was back and forth all day. Mitch Akemann was down to his last strike in the top of the ninth with two runners on base. His base hit gave the Reds the lead. It was short-lived, as the Morries tied the game in the bottom of the ninth to send the game into overtime.
In the top of the tenth, Gilliland smacked a two RBI double to give the Reds a 10-8 lead. Gilliland and Wangsness collected three hits on the day, Seth Tukua and Akemann added two hits each.
VanEnglenburg threw a complete game allowing six earned runs and striking out nine. He also garnered two hits at the plate to help his cause.
“It was a great division battle,” said Churchill. “It was a huge win for us and evened our division record at 2-2. We really pulled together in the late innings.”
2011 Reds Roster
Mitch Akemann, Jason Churchill, Dan Fitterer, Aaron Gilliland, Zach Hacker, Colton Schlaak, Chris Somage, Tory Somage, Seth Tukua, Kellen Utpadel, Vinnie VanEngelenburg, Tom Wacholz, Brett Wangsness, Matt Economy, Bjorn Peterson, Payden Peterson and Jake Stalcoh.
NR Reds 2011 schedule
6/15 Lake Crystal 2 p.m.
6/16 at Hayfield (Austin) 7:30 p.m.
6/22 Morristown 7:30 p.m.
6/24 at Waseca Braves 7:30 p.m.
6/26 at Cleveland Spiders 2 p.m.
6/29 Cleveland Condors 7:30 p.m.
7/6 Minn Lake 7:30 p.m.
7/9 at LeSueur (2 games) 3 p.m.
7/10 Waterville 2 p.m.
7/13 Hayfield 7:30 p.m.
7/16 at Wells 2 p.m.
TBA League playoffs
