Posted: 8/7/02

Playoff loss ends Legion baseball season

Branden Peterson
Sports Intern

With 10 teams remaining in the District 3 tournament, Forest Lake American Legion Post 225 baseball team faced a talented Burnsville squad last Friday, August 2.

Understanding a loss would eliminate Post 225 from any postseason dreams, Forest Lake fought hard but still fell short, 5-3.

The score remained 3-3 entering the seventh inning. A key double by Burnsville scored two runs, surging Burnsville to a 5-3 lead.

Forest Lake battled back in the bottom of the seventh but ran short of outs, and couldnít manage to convert runners on base.

Parent tossed another complete game for Forest Lake, with seven hits and seven strikeouts in the affair.

ìChris pitched great, the score looks worse than it was,î Poepard said. ìChris had given us a few quality starts in a row and had been so dominant, we felt having Chris out there, he gave us our best chance to win.î

Friday nightís game marked the return of key players Alex Johnson and Doug Lange. The pair combined for six hits, and two runs.

ìIt was a tough loss, but we gave Burnsville all they could handle.î Poepard said.

ìWe had the guys on base in the seventh inning, but we just couldnít get the hits we needed to win.î

Forest Lakeís record moved to 18-7 with the season ending loss. Though disappointed his teamís season is over, Coach Poepard reflected on the enjoyable season.

ìI loved it (the season), I had a great team, and I really had fun with the guys and their great attitudes. We had a great season. I thought our guys played really well.î

Top of Page