Seeded as the top team to beat in the Minnesota Sports Federation 15 and under state baseball tournament on the weekend of July 22, Eden Prairie sparkled in the games they had won but fizzled in the two games they should have had tucked under their belts.
During the regular season, Eden Prairie had the upperhand in games played against opponents, indicating they should have runaway with the tourney win. But it was not to be.
They played for third place against Mound Westonka, easily running over the team 11-1 in seven innings. Scoring early, Eden Prairie never looked over their shoulders, giving them the bronze medal for the second straight year.
Eden Prairie’s first game against Orono was a hard fought contest. Orono jumped out to a 3-0 lead after two frames, and it required a 2 out 2-run homerun to tie the game. This game went into nine innings, with Eden Prairie winning on a bases loaded walk. With two out, the Orono coach decided to load the bases to get the third out, but this backfired.
Eden Prairie’s second game was against host Lakeville. Eden Prairie scored the first run, but after that they could not get together, falling behind 2-1 after two, and seeing the roof cave-in by the fourth inning. Lakeville pushed across the go ahead counters to win 6-2, handing Eden Prairie their first tournament loss. Although having runners in place, each inning Eden Prairie could not get them across home plate.
Eden Prairie’s third game against Armstrong was a blowout. The scoring started early with a strong defence and offence drive. They punctuated timely hits to gain the upper hand for a 17-1 triumph, taking second place in Pool A advancing to the playoffs along with Pool A top team Lakeville. Five pools made up the tournament each with four teams. First and Second place teams advancing.
In the extra series, Eden Prairie faced Hopkins/Minnetonka. They had defeated them twice during the regular season. Once again Eden Prairie scored early in a slugfest 18-7 victory. Eden Prairie scored six runs in the first inning and continued the bombardment with Hopkins scoring their runs late in the game. The victory pitted Eden Prairie against Westside Boosters early Sunday morning doubling up their opponents 10-5.
“Our team played well,” said assistant coach LeRoy Guba. “Everybody got to play and everything came together for the team.”
The victory sent Eden Prairie into the semi-finals against Iver Grove Heights second place in Pool E.
Both teams erred with the game sea sawing back and forth–a missed fly by Eden Prairie outfield was the critical point in the game. Iver Grove scored twice during this period, adding a single, and salt to the wound, with two more runners scoring. This gave Iver Grove the 11-10 win, and sent Eden Prairie into the third place contest against Mound Westonka and the bronze.
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
