Posted: 7/3/02

American Legion baseball team takes 2nd in tournament

Branden Peterson
Sports Intern

Thankful for refuge from the sunís sizzling rays, baseball fans hid underneath the grandstand, but cheered loudly during exciting games by the Forest Lake Legion Post 225 baseball team at their yearly tournament at Schumacher field last weekend, June 28-31.

After winning their first two games and advancing to the championship game, Forest Lake couldnít get past Stillwater, and took second place in the tournament.

Teams from Minneapolis Hellenic, Cambridge and Mahtomedi competed during the weekend tournament.

In the opening game of the tournament, Forest Lake faced Cambridge Friday evening.

The Forest Lake American Legion and Auxiliary dedicated a new flagpole to Schumacher field in a short ceremony before play began.

Dominant pitching performances continued for Forest Lake, as coach Todd Poepard started Ben Zierke on the mound.

Cambridgeís Scott Zilmer doubled to right field in his first meeting with Zierke in the top of the 1st inning. A Forest Lake fielding error allowed Zilmer to score as Cambridge took a 1-0 lead.

Cambridge would strike again in the third inning on another Forest Lake throwing error by catcher Doug Lange pushing Cambridgeís lead to 2-0.

After being frustrated through three innings, Forest Lakeís bats awoke to load the bases with no outs.

Two errors later, Forest Lake tied the game. Next, Alex Johnson hit a RBI sacrifice fly to right field advancing Forest Lake into the lead 3-2.

Determined to shut down Cambridge, Johnson relieved pitcher Ben Zierke in the top of the fifth inning.

Zierke went four innings, allowing four hits, one earned run and struck out four.

Johnson was perfect giving up zero hits during the final three innings, as Forest Lake won 4-2.

The Legion team continued tournament play Saturday morning, cruising to victory as they crushed Minneapolis Hellenic 15-1.

In his first outing of the year, Forest Lakeís Case Goodyear pitched three innings, giving up three hits, and struck out three.

With four at-bats, Forest Lakeís Ben Crotty had four hits, including three doubles and three RBIs. Teammate Mark Miron helped the surge, with four RBIs.

ìWe really broke out. Almost everyone got in the action. Iíd really like to see more games like that. Weíd like to put away teams.î Coach Poepard said.

The win placed Forest Lake in the tournament championship game, giving the locals a chance to beat Stillwater for the first time this season, and avenge a loss in their last meeting.

Forest Lakeís Karl Young pitched well, going six innings, allowing six hits and striking out six.

Unfortunately for his performance, the Legionís team couldnít sustain the offensive production of earlier tournament games, and Forest Lake fell 3-2 to settle for second place.

Exhaustion from high temperatures may have taken a toll on the Forest Lake players over the hot weekend, in addition to playing games for five straight days, but Poepard was satisfied with the effort of his team.

ìItís something weíve talked about all season, about playing well in all weather conditions. Our team did a really good job.î

Still in first

Sundayís championship loss capped a busy week for the team with six games in seven days.

After being rained out on Monday, June 24, the Legion team returned to action Wednesday against Mahtomedi.

Luke Hagman outsmarted Mahtomedi hitters in a complete game as Forest Lake won 3-2. Hagman gave up five hits, two earned runs and struck out five as he improved his season record to 3-0.

Forest Lake visited Hastings on Thursday evening, however falling for only their second loss of the summer, 5-2.

Chris Parent pitched five innings for Forest Lake, giving up three earned runs, one walk and five strikeouts.

With the completion of the tournament, Forest Lakeís record moved to 6-2 in league play. The team is in first place, and currently has a one game lead over Hastings and Stillwater.

ìFor being 8-3 on the year, this teamís played above my expectations.î

League on the Line

With potentially their biggest game of the season next Monday at home against Stillwater, Poepard feels the contest may determine the league champions.

Having lost 3-2 in both meetings this year, Forest Lake feels with unbeaten ace Luke Hagman on the mound the next time they meet, Stillwater will face their best weapon of all.

ìIn the two times weíve played, theyíve thrown their best two pitchers, and maybe we just havenít played as best as we can.

ìItíll be a test, and itíll probably determine the league winner. Iím excited to see what happens.î Poepard said.

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