Coming off an emotional victory on Saturday the Outlaws would attempt to win one more game in 2014 as they squared off against the Urbank Goldtimers in the Class "A" Championship game.  The Outlaws came into the game as the higher seed and which earned them the right to be home team.  They would send out Sam Baumgartner in what was the biggest game of the Outlaw's young franchise history.  Urbank had earned a championship appearance by knocking off Eden Prairie 2-0 and Belle Plaine 2-1.  

The Outlaws rested all of their hopes on the arm of Baumgartner as he toed the rubber to get things underway.  Just as both clubs seemed set to start, the skies opened up and players returned to the dugouts as the tarps found their way onto the field.  The rain wouldn't last for long however and Sammy was back out and ready to rock.  

Rodney Klimek opened up play with a base hit followed by a Aaron Olson base on balls.  Sammy settled in nicely and retired the next two batters.  With two outs the Goldtimers juiced the bases as Brad Zimmel drew the second walk of the inning.  Baumgartner ended the 1st inning threat with a big strikeout, and it was the Outlaws turn to swing the sticks.

Sammy led things off for the good guys by drawing a walk and Ryan Meyer then reached on an error by the second baseman.  Paul Oelrich would then reach on an infield single to load the bases.  Mike Roth then pounded a ball out to short that found it's way through the wickets allowing both Baumgartner and Meyer to score on the 2nd Goldtimer error of the inning.  Josh Noble would drive in the third run of the home frame with a single to left field scoring Oelrich.  Grant Carlson then moved the 1st inning lead out to 4-0 with a sacrifice fly scoring Roth.  Robb Larson would also single in the inning, but the damage would be limited to 4 runs.  

The Goldtimers once again threatened in the 2nd after Baumgartner retired the first 2 batters in order.  Walda and Klimek would work back to back walks, but Sammy would once again end the inning with a punch out.  Jesse "Muff" Teerink made the only noise for the Outlaws in the 2nd inning with a 1 out single.  One pitch later Muffy stole second and reached third on the play after the catcher threw the ball into center field.  Goldtimer's pitcher Rod Helling would pitch out of the 1 out jam by retiring the next two Outlaw hitters on pop-ups on the infield.  

Nobody wants a one sided championship game, including the Goldtimers.  They used 3 walks, a hit batter, a sacrifice and a single to plate 3 runs.  When the dust settled they had pulled within one run at 4-3 as 2 and a half innings were complete.  After some shady defense behind him in the first couple innings, Helling settled in nicely for the Goldtimers.  Paul Oelrich ripped a line drive single to left field to open the bottom half of the third, but Helling set the next three batters down in order.  Oelrich's single was his 2nd of the day.   

Baumgartner also settled in as he only allowed one base runner in the 4th and 5th innings, both base on balls.  Helling matched Baumgartner's goose eggs by facing the minimum over that span.  Robb Larson opened the 4th with a single but was quickly rolled up in a double play.  Larson's single was also his second rip of the day.

Sammy once again baffled Urbank hitters in the 6th allowing 2 runners but no runs.  The blank frame kept the Outlaws out in front by one run at 4-3.  In another hustle play, Paul Oelrich opened the bottom of the 6th by reaching on a dropped third strike.  Ole was off and running on the first pitch to Roth stealing second base and advancing to third when the throw found its way into center field.  Mike Roth then did his job as a clean up hitter, smashing a fly ball to deep center for an RBI sacrifice fly and a 5-3 Outlaw lead.  One batter later Grant Carlson would draw a 2 out walk, but Helling limited the damage to 1 run.  

The insurance run was nice, but Sammy wouldn't need it.  Baumgartner retired the first two Goldtimer hitters in the top of the 7th. With two outs Urbank attempted to rally with the next two batters reaching base by way of a hit batter and a base on balls.  I feel like a broken record, but Sammy once again slammed the door shut by ending the inning and the game with his 4th strikeout of the game.  Sammy earned the complete game win making the Outlaws Class "A" State Champs!

Paul Oelrich led all hitters with a 2 for 3 day with 2 runs scored and a stolen base,  Robb Larson was also 2 for 3 with two singles, Josh Noble was 1 for 3 with an RBI, Jesse Teerink was 1 for 2, Sam Baumgartner walked and scored and Mike Roth added the final RBI with his 6th inning sac fly and also scored a run.  Ryan Meyer scored the other run for the Outlaws.

Wow....another year in the books and hopefully one of many Minnesota State Championships for the Southwest Outlaws.  What a fun year!  Thank you to all the fans that made it out over the summer to watch a great group of old guys hold onto their youth.  We greatly appreciate your support.  Many thanks to the Outlaw's sponsors who make it possible for us to take the field.  THANK YOU!  You can find a full list of these sponsors by clicking on the "Sponsors" tab along the left hand side of the page.  Thank you! Thank you!  Thank you!    

See you all in 2015!!!