Cologne Wins Big Against Plato

During last night's chill and mosquitos, Fritz Field hosted an exciting townball game. The Bluejays from Plato traveled to Cologne to play the hometown Hollanders. The hard hitting Bluejays' bats were quiet most of the night as the contest was a nine inning pitching duel between Plato's Chris Odegaard and Cologne's Casey Clemensen. After giving up a lead-off hit in the first, Casey didn't allow another Jay hit until the sixth. By the time the Jays got their second hit of the ballgame Cologne was already able to plate two. The first run coming in the second inning as Jon Kummer started off the frame with a lead off double. He was able to swipe thirdbase as the third basemen crept a little too far on a fake bunt. Kummer scored on a wild pitch, but turns out he would've scored anyways after Brandon Fritz lined a single shortly after. Cologne's second run came in the fourth as Tim Swanson started off the inning with a single. Jordan Litchewski's wheels (courtesy running for Swanson) were tested as Kummer hit a hard liner up the middle and kept rolling underneath the center fielder's glove and to the wall. Jordan scored easily on the misplay putting Cologne up two runs. After six innings of little success against Casey, Plato finally managed to string together a few hits and managed to tie the game at two runs a piece which ended Casey's night on the mound. In the bottom of the eighth Cologne put together a rally of their own. Kyle Twait started the inning with a rope single up the middle. Casey was able to draw a walk out of Odegaard although showing sacrifice. The next batter, Tanner Luebke, then hit a light ground ball to the thirdbaseman. The roller brought in the fielder enough to where Twait managed to get around the tag safely and load the bases. With one out, Alex Meeker came up big with the sacrifice fly to bring in the go ahead run. Kummer's big night wasn't over as he then managed to single again to load the bases. After getting down quickly to 0 and 2, Zach Nelson battled and drew a walk which scored Casey and gave the Hollanders an insurance run for the ninth. Luebke, who relieved Casey in the eighth, wouldn't need that extra run as he picked up where Casey left off and kept the Plato hitters quiet and picking up the big win for Cologne.  Overall, the game was very well played and exciting to watch. Casey Clemenson and Tanner Luebke threw very well against one of the best hitting lineups in the league. Hollander hitters (although striking out ten times) were able to have great at-bats and didn't miss when it came to the clutch. It was a very big win for Cologne Hollanders' Baseball.

Up next, Cologne looks to keep the momentun going as they will be traveling to Carver on Saturday June 3 . Start time for the league game is scheduled for 2pm.

And as always. Ga Hollanders!