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Chisago Lakes 14

Proctor 3 (5 innings)

Playing in typical spring-like conditions (i..e. rain and wind), the Chisago Lakes baseball team wanted to get their game with Proctor over with last Saturday, hoping to get shelter as soon as they could.

As it turned out, they were their own worst enemies. Because the ‘Cats scored so many runs, it was impossible to squeeze in a quick game, but the Wildcats will take it anyway.

After the Rails scored the first run of the game, it was all Chisago as they tagged Proctor with the next 14 runs en route to a 14-3 win in five innings. The explosion pushed the Wildcats season record to 2-0, and dating back to their season opening win over Pine City by a score of 6-1, it pushed the ‘Cats run total to a whopping 20 runs in two games.

The ‘Cats scored in bunches. In the bottom of the second, Chisago plated five runs as 10 batters came to the plate. After Derrick Olson got things started with a double, he came around to tie the game 1-1 on a Proctor error. Moments later, Mark Unger scored on a force out, giving the ‘Cats their first lead of the game.

They were far from done. Shawn Rancourt followed with a two run single, and Lance Baumgard capped off the inning with another RBI, making the score 5-1 through two innings.

One inning later, the ‘Cats added to their lead by scoring four more. Kyle Collins produce the clutch hit in that inning, clearing the bases with a three-run double. Unger, Jones, Rancourt and Baumgard scored runs in the inning as Chisago sent 10 more to the plate, stretching their lead to 9-1.

As if the game wasn’t over with already, five more Wildcat runs finished the deal in the fourth inning, giving Chisago a 14-1 lead. The ‘Cats scored their five runs on just four hits. Olson, Rancourt, Baumgard and Karl Lee picked them up. In addition, Tony Mansk and Zander Mueller also reached base thanks to walks. The flurry of runs helped the Wildcats go all the way through their batting order for a third straight inning.

“We can hit,” said Pat Collins, Chisago Lakes head baseball coach. “Our defense has played well so far. I think our pitching staff will be tough.”

Derrick Olson, the Wildcats starting pitcher sure was (tough) against the Rails. Olson worked the first four innings, allowing three hits and striking out two. From there, Cory Claeson finished things off by pitching the fifth inning. Despite giving up two runs, the junior struck out two batters, including the Rails number five hitter to end the game. The 14-3 win moved Chisago’s record to 2-0 on the season.

For the game, the Wildcats finished with 10 hits as a team. Derrick Olson led the way offensively by going three for four at the plate with two doubles. Rancourt was the only other ‘Cat with more than one hit, finishing with two hits on three trips. Still, of the 14 players who got in the game for Collins, 11 reached base at least once.

“With the group of hitters we run out there, we should expect a number of big innings this year,” remarked Collins.

Chisago Lakes 14, Proctor 3 (5)

R H

Proctor 100 02 3 4

Chisago Lakes 054 5X 14 10

Box score (unofficial)

Stimson 0-2, BB

Mueller BB

Baumgard 1-3, RBI, 2 R

Collins 1-2, 3 RBI

Kuehl 0-1

Der. Olson 3-4, R

Gemuenden 0-3

Claeson 0-1

Unger 1-2, 2 R

Lee 1-1, R

Jones 0-2, 2 R

Rancourt 2-3, 3 R

Dav. Olson 1-2, R

Mansk BB, R

WP: Olson

4 IP, 3 H, 1R-0ER, 2 K, BB

Claeson

IP, H, 2R-2ER, 2 K, 3 BB

Chisago Lakes 12

Duluth Central 3

After batting Proctor around the diamond, the Wildcats faced Duluth Central in game two of a doubleheader last Saturday; and treated Central the same way.

This time, Chisago scored 12 runs in the game on 10 hits. It was more than enough offense as the Wildcats moved to 3-0 on the season with a 12-3 win.

It was even a comeback win.

Central opened up the game by scoring the first three runs- striking for one in the first and two in the third off Chisago starter Ike Dibble.

However, in the bottom of the third, the ‘Cats answered. Batting with two runners on, Kyle Collins unleashed a two-run single, trimming the deficit to one, 3-2. Up next was Derrick Olson who followed with an RBI double, his third double over his last five at bats. The bomb drove in Collins, tying the game 3-3.

Far from finished, Adam Gemuenden followed with an RBI single before scoring on an error. The two extra runs pushed the Wildcats in front for the first time in the game, 5-3.

They would never look back.

In front by two, Dibble settled in, mowing down Central in the fourth. Then in the fifth, Dibble and Zander Mueller combined to shut Duluth down.

Finally in the bottom of the sixth, the Chisago offense put the game away with seven more runs. The surge of runs was capped off by a three-run home run by Gemuenden. Collins, Zack Stimson and Derrick Olson also picked up RBI’s in the inning. When it was all said and done, the ‘Cats had struck for seven on five hits, sending 10 batters to the plate. Among the hits- a home run, double and three singles.

With a nine run cushion, Jake Kuehl pitched a perfect seventh.

Dibble picked up the win for the Wildcats on the mound, working five and two thirds of an inning, striking out six and walking three. Meanwhile at the plate, Gemuenden finished the game with four RBI’s and Collins added three. Gemuenden, Collins, Derrick Olson and Stimson all had two hits in the game.

Now 3-0, the Wildcats look ahead to four more games this week. All four with be conference games. Among them, a meeting with rival North Branch on Thursday.

Chisago Lakes 12

Duluth Central 3

R H

Central 102 000 0 3 6

Chisago Lakes 005 007 X 12 10

Box score (unofficial)

Stimson 2-3, RBI, 2 R

Rancourt 0-3, RBI

Collins 2-4, 3 RBI, 2 R

Der. Olson 2-4, 2 RBI, 2 R

Gemuenden 2-4, 4 RBI, 2 R

Lee 0-4

Dibble 1-2

Mueller 1-2, R

Jones 0-1, R

Unger 0-1

Baumgard 0-1

Dav. Olson 0-1, R

Mansk 0-0, SAC

WP: Dibble

5.2 IP, 6 H, 3R-2ER, 6 K, 3 BB

Mueller

.1 IP

Kuehl

IP

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