Glen Strandberg
Sports Editor

With the 2006 season now over for the Forest Lake Brewers, the what ifs, and the woulda coulda shouldas can begin. The Brewers played .500 ball (2-2) in the Region 1C Tournament, but their game at St. Francis on Tuesday, Aug. 8 is where the agonizing starts.

The Brewers and the Saints were tied 3-3 going into the ninth inning when Forest Lake brought one run home for a 4-3 lead. There may have been an urge to celebrate early, but St. Francis has found a way to beat the Brewers all season, and this night would be no different.

As if they were choosing their offense off a menu, the Saints ordered two runs for a win, and they got just what they needed.

Final score, 5-4, in favor of St. Francis. The tough loss was the first for the Brewers in the double elimination tournament, as they would face the Hinckley Knights for the second time in six days.

What Hinckley did not want to see was Chris Parent standing on the mound again for Forest Lake.

Last week, Parent pitched all nine innings, struck out eight batters, and only allowed four hits in the 8-3 win over the Knights.

After that commanding performance, Brewers coach Adam Gallatin noted that giving the ball to Parent is never a bad idea.

ìEvery time he starts, I feel like we are going to win. He gets close to double-digit strikeouts every time he pitches; he works fast, which keeps everyone in the game, and he throws a lot of strikes.î

Gallatinís comments were spot on for the Brewers/Hinckley sequel.

Parent pitched yet another complete game, gathering eight strikeouts and scattering six hits in the 3-0 victory.

Bobby Hager (.322 batting average) and Alex Johnson (.347 BA) continued to power the offense, and they received help from John Mollner, who scored a run and also had an RBI.

THE FINAL GAME

With the two decisions over Hinckley, and the loss against St. Francis, the Brewers would play the Isanti Redbirds on Sunday, Aug. 13., and hope to stay in the playoff picture.

Forest Lake has consistently started strong, and they were able to stick with that trend by putting up one run in the top of the first inning.

Little did the Brewers know, that lone run would the their last of the season.

Brian Welch, Zach Guttormson and Johnson would all get a chance to pitch, with Welch lasting five innings and giving up four runs. But it was the lack of hitting that proved to be the Brewers downfall.

Hager went 1-for-4, and Mike Miron had two hits, and that now concludes the offensive highlights from Sundayís contest.

Isanti went on to win, 6-1.

St. Francis will represent the Metro Minny Conference in the state tournament.

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