/usr/web/www.marshallindependent.com/wp-content/themes/coreV2/single.php
×

AMATEUR BASEBALL: Minneota holds on against Milroy Irish, 11-9

Photo by Sam Thiel Minneota’s Tyson Sonnenburg (3) high-fives teammate Jake Leighton (23) after hitting a two-run home run during their game against the Milroy Irish on Friday. Minneota defeated the Irish 11-9.

MILROY — Things got heated during the Milroy Irish and Minneota amateur baseball game on Friday. And it wasn’t between the players on the field or the 99-degree weather blanketing Irish Yard at first pitch.

Combining for 20 runs and 26 hits, the offenses for the Mudhens and the Irish were scorching hot, but Minneota was able to get a strong start before holding off a late comeback bid by Milroy for an 11-9 victory in seven innings. The game was only seven innings due to a scheduled concert by the Roxbury band after the game.

Minneota manager Tyson Sonnenburg said both sides hit the ball well but was pleased with their ability to capitalize in key moments when they needed to.

“Both teams hit really well; we know they have a team loaded with hitters, so it’s never enough runs against these guys, they can always come back whether you’re up eight, six, 10 it doesn’t really matter, they can come back at any moment and get right back in the game,” Sonnenburg said. “We just had to keep scoring when the opportunities presented itself and we hit the ball pretty well as a team.”

The Mudhens jumped out to an early start, as Alex Pohlen connected on a one-out single before Austin Buysse and Sonnenburg reached to load the bases. Minneota then brought in a run on a wild pitch before AJ Myhre reached on an infield single to make it 2-0. On the ensuing at-bat, Tate Walerius smacked a two-run double to push the Mudhens’ advantage to 4-0, but the Irish were quick to respond.

Dominic Dolan drew a leadoff walk for Milroy in bottom of the first before Anthony Dolan got hit by a pitch and Ben Heichel connected on a single to load the bases with one out. Derek Riley then stepped up and reached on an infield single to plate a run before Tyler Alcorn lined a two-run single to draw the Irish to within one at 4-3 after one.

Minneota wasn’t done there, though, and took advantage in the next inning with some key two-out hitting. Alex Pohlen and Buysse connected on back-to-back hits before Sonnenburg drove in a run on a double. One batter later, Danny Hennen added three more runs on the board with a blast over the left field fence to make it 8-3.

The Mudhens kept up the offense in the next couple of innings, getting a sacrifice fly from Jake Leighton in the third before Sonnenburg added a two-run home run to left in the fourth to push Minneota’s lead to 11-3.

The Irish wouldn’t go down without a fight, though, as Jake Plaetz connected on a double in the fifth before Derek Riley got Milroy back on the board with a two-run shot of his own to make it 11-5. An inning later, Dominic Dolan connected on a double before Konnor Zick reached on an infield single to plate a run. After Brady Lanoue drew a walk to load the bases with one out, a wild pitch brought in another run before Heichel got a broken-bat single that scored two more to draw Milroy to within two at 11-9 going into the last inning.

Minneota would go down in order to start the seventh and the Irish headed to the plate looking to earn a come-from-behind victory. But Minneota reliever Zach Nuy would shut down Milroy in the bottom of the frame to seal the win for the Mudhens.

Irish manager Bob Dolan said they struggled to get going, especially on the mound, but credited his players for continuing to fight and give themselves a chance late.

“We just came out really flat,” coach Dolan said. “We got down 11-3 early and it makes it tough and we knew it was going to be a short game, so that was kind of hard on us, but we battled back and had chances in the sixth and seventh with guys on base and the tying run at the plate. We also just didn’t pitch very well.”

Austin Buysse led Minneota with three hits while Sonnenburg added two hits, including a home run, and three RBI, Myhre had two hits and an RBI, Pohlen had two hits, Hennen had a home run and three RBI and Walerius had a hit and two RBI.

Hennen earned the win on the mound, going three innings while allowing three runs on six hits and struck out one.

Dominic Dolan led the Irish with three hits while Riley added two hits, including a home run, and three RBI, Heichel had two hits and two RBI, Plaetz had two hits, Zick had two hits and an RBI and Alcorn had a hit and two RBI.

Moses Dolan took the loss on the mound, going two innings while allowing eight runs on nine hits and struck out three.

Up next

Minneota (5-4) will face Clinton on the road on Sunday at 2 p.m. while the Irish (8-3) will face Jackson and Lakefield on the road on Sunday in a doubleheader starting at 2 p.m.

Newsletter

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *
   

Starting at $4.38/week.

Subscribe Today