We are going to focus on the positive...so if you would like to read about the Outlaws play in game with the Jordan Millers...please skip down to the bottom.  Otherwise...let's start with the Outlaws hosting the New Hope Bandits to open the Class A 2014 State Tournament bracket.

Jeff "Spanky" Miller had made the Sunday trip north to the metro to place his undefeated state tournament pitching record on the line in Green Isle vs the Bandits.  Jeff opened play like a true ace pitching a scoreless first inning and retiring New Hope in order.  Sam Baumgartner set the tone for the Outlaws offense by leading off the bottom of the 1st with a double.  Number 2 hitter Ryan Meyer grasped the momentum and smashed a home run over the right field fence and gave the Outlaws an early 2-0 lead two batters into the game.  The Outlaws weren't done as Paul Oelrich laced a single to left field.  A few pitches later Paul then stole his way into scoring position.  "Magic" Mike Roth then added a single of his own to put the Outlaws in a first and third position with nobody out.  Big Mike may be big and strong, but the man can still run.  Mikey took off with the first pitch and drew a throw down to second base sliding in safely.  Oelrich was quick to react and scored from third on Roth's stolen base moving the Outlaw's lead to 3-0.  One out later Grant Carson was hit by a pitch.  Robb Larson wasn't content with only 3 runs and slammed a single to the outfield driving in Roth pushing the home crew to a 4-0 first inning lead.  The next two Outlaw hitters would be retired on line drive outs to end the inning.

Jeff Miller found a bit of trouble in the top of the second as the Bandits answered the bell.  New Hope would cut the lead in half at 4-2 using 4 hits and a walk.  After the Outlaws batted around in the 1st it was once again Sam Baumgartner leading things off in the 2nd.  Once again Sammy got things going by lacing a single to left.  Sammy quickly moved into scoring position by swiping 2nd base.  One out later Paul Oelrich reached for his 2nd time after working a walk.  Bandit's pitcher Henke would pitch his way out of trouble however and retire the next two hitters to end the inning.  

As Jeff Miller typically does, he settled in nicely after the 2nd inning.  Jeffrey wouldn't give up another run over the next 5 innings of work adding 5 more strikeouts adding his 7 inning total to 7 punch outs.

The Outlaws would load the bases in the 3rd after Robb Larson singled with one out.  Jeff Appel then worked a base on balls and Ryan Carlson followed with a single to juice the bases.  Crafty Henke once again worked out of the jam though coaxing a pop up and ending the inning with a strikeout.  

The Southwest crew would add another run in the 4th as Paul Oelrich opened the inning by getting plunked.  Showing his speed Paul once again stole his way into scoring position and advanced to third with the throw trickling into center field.  A few pitches later Paul would scamper across the plate on a wild pitch moving the lead to 5-2 in favor of the Outlaws.  That's what you call a hustle run....

The 6th Outlaw run would come in the 6th.  With one out Ryan Meyer would single and then steal second.  Oelrich would reach for the 4th time in as many plate appearances with his second single and Mike Roth would follow with a walk to load the bases.  Josh Noble then battled with the New Hope hurler fouling off many pitches before working an RBI base on balls of his own to extend the lead to 6-2.  That would be the final score as the Outlaws advanced into weekend number 2 still alive for a championship.  

Miller earned yet another state tournament victory (his 5th in 3 years) with the complete game effort.  As previously mentioned, Jeffrey struck out 7 Bandits and scattered 5 hits.  Paul Oelrich was perfect at the plate going 2 for 2 with 2 singles, a walk, a hit by pitch, 2 runs scored and two stolen bases.  Sam Baumgartner was 2 for 4 with a single, a double, a run scored and a stolen base.  Ryan Meyer was 2 for 4 with the big 2 run bomb, a single, 2 runs scored and a stolen base.  Robb Larson was 2 for 3 with two singles and an RBI.  Ryan Carlson finished out the hitting with a 1 for 3 day.  Josh Noble added an RBI base on balls in the 6th inning.