Joe Drennan
Sports Editor

Itís a good thing the regional playoffs are double elimination for the Forest Lake Brewers because Metro Minny Rival St. Francis beat up on the Brewers 10-4 Monday night.

ìWe just didnít play very well,î Brewers coach Tyler Engquist said. ìWe just made too many mental mistakes and too many errors, St. Francis was pretty hot too and they had a lot of hits. Those things combined, you donít win a lot of games.î

The Brewers were the number two seeded team for the double elimination round, receiving a first round bye. Prior to the playoffs beginning the Brewers drafted two pitchers, Matt Stauff and Paul Ahern, from Cleveland.

Having not played since July 24, the Brewers knew theyíd be a bit rusty going into Mondayís game against St. Francis, but they werenít expecting to lose 10-4.

St. Francis scored two runs in the top of the second inning, but the Brewers answered back in the bottom half of the inning. Alex Johnson had a lead off double for the Brewers and was driven home by a Chris Anderson single. Anderson later advanced to third on a fielders choice then scored when Brian Welch reached first on a throwing error to tie the game.

The fifth inning saw St. Francis break things open with a four run inning, taking a 7-2 lead. St. Francis added two more runs in the sixth inning and another in the seventh.

Kyle Eaton and Alex Johnson lead off the bottom of the eighth inning for the Brewers with singles, then the bases were loaded when Aaron Galleberg was hit by a pitch. Engquist hit into a fielders choice that scored Eaton, then Johnson scored off a sacrifice fly off the bat of Steve Carlisle.

Chris Parent was credited with the loss as he pitched 42?3 innings, striking out four. Welch finished the game on the mound.
Mark Miron, Johnson and Welch each had two hits in the game.

The Brewers continue play in the regional tournament Friday in Hinckley at 7:30 against the loser of the Princeton vs. Mora game that was played Tuesday night.

To advance to the state tournament the Brewers have to make it to the regional championship game as the top two teams advance. To make it to the championship game, the Brewers have to win two games now, three to win the region.

ìWe like to make things tough on ourselves I guess,î Engquist said.

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