Outlaws Baseball NEWS ITEM

In game one the Outlaws squared off against the home Belle Plaine Gray Tigers. Sam Baumgartner started the game on a positive note by singling to lead things off. Chris Nelson sacrificed Sam into scoring position with a bunt. That's as far as Sam would get however as the next two Outlaw hitters were retired.

Paul Oelrich took the hill for the Outlaws in his pitching debut. Paul planted a fastball into the Belle Plaine lead off hitter Eric Burgemeister's ribs to start the home half. A few pitches later, Burgemeister stole second and reached third after the throw found it's way into center field. One batter later Mike Zellman drove him in with a single to center. That would be the extent of the scoring for both ball clubs for the game.

Jeff Appel led of the 2nd inning with walk and would get as far as second base two batters later after Jason Beckett followed suit with a walk of his own. Both runners were left stranded.

Paul Oelrich then took control and didn't allow a run over his next 5 innings of work. Along the way Paul only gave up one more hit and struck out a total of eight Belle Plaine hitters. A very strong outing for the Outlaw new comer.

The Outlaws had runners throughout the game with Sean Mangan and Justin Williamson walking in the 3rd, a Jeff Appel single in the 4th, and another Williamson walk in the 6th. No real threats however until the top of the seventh. With one out Paul Oelrich walked and Mike Roth followed with a single. With the tying run in scoring position Jeff Appel laced a ball towards right center field but within the Belle Plaine second baseman's reach. The catch was made and Oelrich was doubled off to end the game.

Oelrich's pitching was the main highlight of the game for the Outlaws. Sam Baumgartner, Mike Roth and Jeff Appel had the only Outlaw's hits, each finishing with one single each. Justin Williamson reached base in both of his plate appearances with walks. Paul Oelrich, Jeff Appel, Jason Beckett, and Sean Mangan each had one base on balls each.

Ryan Carlson was the pitcher of choice making his Outlaws hurling debut. New Hope took an early lead with one run in the top half of the first. A lead off double followed by an rbi single three batters later had the Bandits out in front 1-0.

Sam Baumgartner once again started the game off with a single and got as far as third base before being stranded there. Mike Roth also reached on a walk.

The book is very hard to decipher in the top of the second. One thing is clear however....the Bandits added another run to jump out to a 2-0 advantage. The Outlaws did gun a New Hope runner out at the plate on a relay of Williamson in left to Roth at third to Grant Carson at the plate. The play at the plate limited the damage to only one score.

The Outlaws scraped together a run in the bottom of the third as Chad Weirtzema led of the inning by being hit by a pitch. An un-named Outlaws player compared the beaning to a mountain being shot by a BB gun. hahahah! Due to the game taking a toll on bodies and Wertz complaining about his groin, Wertz was lifted for a courtesy runner in Jason Beckett. Beckett promptly stole second base to move into scoring position. Sean Mangan then walked and one batter later Sam Baumgartner reached base with a free pass. Somewhere along the line Beckett scored...I'm pretty sure it was a passed ball, but the book doesn't tell me. The one run is all the Outlaws would muster to make the score 2-1 Bandits.

Carlson once again pitched a scoreless 4th and completing his outing for the day. Ryan finished his four innings of work with 2 k's leaving the Outlaws well within striking distance. Another threat in the home half of the 4th started with Jeff Appel reaching on an infield error on a ground ball to short. One batter later Ryan Carlson walked followed by Jason Beckett also reaching on an error. It wasn't to be however as the Bandits pitcher pitched out of trouble by ending the inning with a strikeout.

Sam Baumgartner then took over for Carlson. Sammy pitched a scoreless 5th striking out one. The Outlaws would battle back in the home half and take their only lead of the day. With one out Justin Williamson would start a walking spree that included himself, Sam Baumgartner and Chris Nelson. This set the stage for a 3 RBI bases loaded double off the bat of Paul Oelrich. Mike Roth would follow with a single, but Oelrich was unable to score on the play. The inning ended with the Outlaws on top 4 to 2.

The lead was short lived however as the Bandits immediately battled back in the top of the 6th. Two walks, two singles and an error spelled a three run answer for New Hope and they once again took the lead 5 to 4.

Grant Carlson led off the bottom of the 6th with a single, but that's all the offense that could be mustered as the next three batters went down in order.

Sammy pitched a scoreless frame in the 7th and the Outlaws once again attempted some late game heroics. After back to back strikeouts, Sammy reached base after being hit by a pitch. Chris Nelson followed with a single and once again the tying run was in scoring position. It wasn't to be however as the final out was secured on a grounder to third and the Outlaws fell by a final score of 5 to 4.

Sam Baumgartner led all Outlaws hitters going 1 for 1 with two walks and a hit by pitch, reaching base in all 4 plate appearances. Chris Nelson and Grant Carslon were each 1 for 3 on the day. Paul Oelrich added a 1 for 4 day with the big 3 RBI bases loaded double. Mike Roth was 1 for 2 with a walk.

*Two new Outlaw's pitchers made their debut in Ryan Carlson and Paul Oelrich. Both pitched very well and are welcome additions to the pitching staff.

*Next up for the Outlaws is another road game in Jordan on Sunday June 30th at 2:00pm. They will square off against the Jordan Alers in a division game at the Mini-Met stadium. If you haven't been to this ball park it is worth your time. Excellent small town atmosphere on a great field.