Posted: 5/3/06
Baseball team beats CDH in pitchers duel
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Joe Drennan
Sports Editor
It was a match-up baseball fans were looking forward to as the then seventh ranked Cretin-Derham Hall Raiders and the then fourth ranked Forest Lake Rangers battled each other last Wednesday at The Ballpark at Schumacher Field.
The stands at The Ballpark at Schumacher Field were full as the two powerhouses clashed. When the last out was called the Rangers had prevailed as 2-1 winners.
ìIt was a tremendously played high school baseball game with great defense on both teams and great pitching,î Rangers head coach Brian Raabe said.
Cretin-Derham Hall took the early 1-0 lead, but the Rangers battled back and scored the two runs they needed to win the game.
ìWe just had some timely hitting there at the end that helped us get a win,î Raabe said.
Rangers ace Jed Hanson pitched a complete game, earning the victory.
ìBoth pitchers went the distance and pitched their hearts out,î Raabe said.
Things did get interesting at the end as Cretin-Derham Hall had runners on first and second with two outs, but the batter popped out to end the game.
ìThe game had a playoff atmosphere to it,î Raabe said.
ìWhenever youíre playing Cretin-Derham Hall itís going to be that way. Theyíve lost three games or so this year, but they still have the reputation of being the big boy in the state. I think theyíre learning this is a tough conference to play in day in and day out, but theyíre certainly a quality opponent.î
The win over Cretin-Derham Hall extended the Rangers winning streak to six games. That winning streak came to an end Friday when Hastings defeated the Rangers 5-1.
ìWe just got beat,î Raabe said. ìThey (Hastings) had a few timely hits and Trip (Schultz) was a little bit wild that day.î
With inclement weather Friday, some may point to that as an excuse for the Rangers play, but not Raabe.
ìThe weather wasnít great, but it wasnít great for them either,î Raabe said. ìThe conditions were the same for both teams.î
One thing that did affect the Rangers was three hit batsmen and four walks that put runners on base for when Hastings did hit the ball, leading to five runs.
ìWe hit the ball well, but we hit hard line drives and ground balls right at them,î Raabe said.
The Rangers were to play Roseville Monday, but the game was postponed due to rain.
The Rangers next game is at 7 p.m. Friday night when they have a rematch with Park (Cottage Grove). In the first meeting Park (Cottage Grove) beat the Rangers 7-5 at Park.
ìWe want to win every game, it doesnít matter if we lost to them or beat them 20 times in a row,î Raabe said, ìbut they beat us at their home and weíd certainly like to return the favor.î
Forest Lake Times
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880 SW 15 St.
Forest Lake, MN 55025
651-464-4601
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