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Forest Lake 2

Chisago Lakes 1

It might have been a “typical first game” for Pat Collins, but for the people watching it, it was anything but.

The game had everything.

Four players were hit by a pitch in the first inning, a run was disallowed, a home run was hit, and despite the fact that there were only five hits in the game, 23 runners reached base and only three runs were scored. Is that even possible?

“We had 14 runners on base and only scored one run,” smiled Pat Collins, Chisago Lakes head baseball coach. “And, that was on a solo home run. I don’t think that you can mathematically score less than that.”

How the game started says it all. In the top of the first, Forest Lake sent seven hitters to the plate- four reached base, three after being hit by a pitch and one walked. The Rangers were able to get one run, although it could have been more. Wildcat pitcher Derrick Olson got Forest Lake swinging for the third out of the inning with the bases loaded.

In the bottom of the first, the entertainment continued. After Jimmy Achartz and Mark Unger both walked to start the inning, Achartz made his way to third on a wild pitch. Two batters later, with Thomas Moody batting, another wild pitch enabled Achartz to score from third, but there was a problem, the umpire ruled the ball hit Moody first, erasing the ‘Cats first run.

A typical first game.

Still leading 1-0, Forest Lake pushed their lead to two in the top of the second on an RBI single. Despite getting a runner on base in every inning, the Wildcats left five runners on second or third in innings two through six, making the score 2-0 heading into the bottom of the seventh.

In the seventh, Kyle Collins put the ‘Cats on the scoreboard with explosive fashion, blistering a shot over the fence for a home run. Unfortunately, there was nobody on, making it a solo home run, cutting the deficit to one, 2-1. With two outs, Karl Lee grounded out to third base to end the game. It marked the first time Chisago has lost a home opener since 1995.

“It looked like a first game,” said Collins. “It’s hard to hit when the wind is blowing like it was, but it’s also hard to hit when there are a bunch of walks and hit batters. Plus, it’s hard to hit when you don’t swing the bat. We just have to realize that we need to be patient at the plate.”

Derrick Olson was tagged with the loss, going one inning. Senior Matt Stomberg pitched five solid innings of relief, allowing two hits while striking out four.

“Stomberg pitched well,” replied Collins. “He pitched the way he always does. Kyle’s home run was a positive, and we turned a nice double play. That’s really about it. Like I said, I think it was a pretty typical first game.”

Chisago’s search for their first win will stay at home for the next week, hosting Pine City, Proctor, Duluth Central, and Mora. Their game with the Mustangs takes place next Tuesday (April 20).

Forest Lake 2, Chisago Lakes 1

R H

Forest Lake 110 000 0 2 2

Chisago Lakes 000 000 1 1 3

Achartz 0-1, 3 BB

Unger 0-2, BB

Spehar 0-1

Reed 0-4

Moody 1-2, BB, HBP

Collins 1-2, HR, RBI

Lee 1-4

Der. Olson 0-3

Froberg 0-2

Stomberg 0-3

LP: Der. Olson (0-1)

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