Photo by Sam Thiel Minneota’s Sam Buysse lays down a bunt during their game against Rosen on Friday. The Mudhens fell to the Express 9-4.

MINNEOTA — The Minneota amateur baseball team has been red-hot over the last few weeks, as it has posted seven straight wins. Meanwhile their opponent, the Rosen Express, looked to avenge an early-season loss to the Minneota and keep their recent win streak going.

Unfortunately for the Mudhens, the Express found their momentum early and never looked back, as Rosen snapped Minneota’s win streak with a 9-4 victory on Friday night.

After a scoreless first frame, the Express got things started in the top of the second, using an RBI single to take an early 1-0 lead. Rosen then added a run in the next inning off a Minneota error to make it 2-0.

The Mudhens had a couple of chances to get on the board as well, but couldn’t take advantage of a leadoff single in the second from Adam Durfee and a walk in the third by Tate Walerius. Neither side found scoring in the fourth, but Rosen quickly picked up where it left off in the top of the fifth. The Express capitalized on five hits to score three more runs and extend their advantage to 5-0.

The Mudhens wouldn’t go down without a fight, though, as Alex Pohlen led off the sixth with a single before Tyson Sonnenburg advanced him with a sacrifice. One batter later, Durfee smacked an RBI double to left-center to bring in Minneota’s first run of the evening. The Mudhens weren’t done there, with Austin DeVlaeminck finding the left field corner to cut the deficit to 5-2.

Rosen answered right back, getting a couple of base hits before a three-run homer off the scoreboard in right field pushed the Express lead to 8-2.

The Mudhens kept fighting, however, as Walerius and Beau Buysse drew walks before a wild pitch advanced both runners. After a popout, Sonnenburg connected on a double to bring in two runs to draw Minneota to within four at 8-4 after seven.

But that would be the closest the Mudhens got, as Rosen used an RBI single in the eighth to bring it to the 9-4 final.

Durfee led the way for the Mudhens with a pair of hits with an RBI while DeVlaeminck added a hit and an RBI and Sonnenburg had a hit and two RBI. Hennen, Brad Liebfried and Pohlen each had a hit as well for Minneota.

Hennen took the loss on the mound, going six innings while allowing eight runs on 11 hits and striking out two.

Up next

Minneota will face Dumont on Sunday at 2 p.m. in Wheaton.