Posted: 4/20/05
Rangers are on an early season roll
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Joe Drennan
Sports Editor
Before the Forest Lake High School baseball team played its first game head coach Brian Raabe wasnít too sure how his team would be. Four games into the season the Rangers are 4-0 with 43 runs and only seven allowed.
ìWeíve had very good leadership from our upperclassmen,î Raabe said. ìOur seniors and juniors have done very well so far.î
Leadership isnít the only thing that has helped the Rangers in the early part of the season, good fundamental baseball has too.
After demolishing North Branch 23-1 in their season opener, the Rangers won their first Suburban East Conference game of the season with a 4-1 win over Hastings last Wednesday. Jed Hanson recorded his first victory of the season in the victory.
Saturday the Rangers hosted Duluth Central and Trip Schultz recorded his first high school victory as a pitcher in the Rangers 10-2 victory.
Monday the Rangers faced their toughest test to date when they hosted a strong Stillwater team whose pitcher was throwing in the 90s and upper 80s. A five run outburst in the third inning gave the Rangers all the support they needed as they cruised to a 6-3 victory as Hanson got the win and Zack Guttormson got the save.
ìJed threw a tremendous game,î Raabe said. ìWhen any pitcher is on the mound for us theyíre giving us a chance to win.î
Happy with the start, Raabe said it all goes back to good pitching and defense with some timely hitting.
ìWeíve had other people too,î Raabe said. ìOur whole team has hit well and weíre hitting in mid to upper .300s as a team. You canít complain with that.î
While there are a few players that have stepped up here in the early part of the season, Raabe said all the players on the team are accepting their rolls and going out on the field and producing when given the opportunity to do so.
ìIf we can continue to do that weíll be pretty successful,î Raabe said.
Knowing there is still a lot of baseball to be played this season though Raabe isnít getting over confident.
ìWe have a lot more fun to go and the month of May is going to be fun for our kids and the fans,î Raabe said. ìWeíre trying to make the games a fun atmosphere and we want people to come out and enjoy our games.î
A reminder to fans, all games are free and a number of night games are coming up on the schedule to better accommodate work schedules. Kids who chase down foul balls and return them to the team receive a free freeze pop.
The Rangers next game is Friday at The Ballpark at Schumacher Field at 5 p.m. when they host Park (Cottage Grove).
Forest Lake Times
P.O. Box 218
880 SW 15 St.
Forest Lake, MN 55025
651-464-4601
Fax 651-464-4605