Hollanders Take Game One

Is there anything better than playoff baseball? How about 70 degrees, clear skies, and a playoff win? That's what the Hollanders had going in last night's playoff game versus the St. Boni Saints. After the struggle Sunday against Brownton, Cologne was looking to bounce back. And that they did. The first few innings saw plenty of solid contact, but couldn't get the ball in the Boni holes. The first five innings was a pitcher's duel between Boni's Aaron Jensen and Hollanders' Zack Nelson. Both pitchers were on as they each worked five scoreless innings. Cologne was able to break the stalemate in the bottom of the sixth with a bang. Cole Pengilly started the inning by roping a double to right-centerfield. Kyle Brazil then launched a moonshot over the right field fence for the Hollanders' first two runs. The shot was Brazil's sixth homerun of the season. From that moment the game was all Cologne. The bottom half of the seventh started with a walk to Casey Clemensen. Carter Clemensen brought Casey home with a double over the centerfielder's head, and then Cole managed to flop a ball over the right field fence for a two run homerun. The boys were able to end the game early in the eighth by adding five more runs. Tanner Luebke lead the inning off with a double. After walks to Casey, Carter, and Cole the bases were loaded up. Tim Swanson then got his second hit of the ballgame to score Casey. Joey Lilya followed with a single that scored Carter and Cole. Tim Swanson ended the game as he scored on a wild pitch to put the Hollanders up ten. Over the course of the game, the boys were able to rack up twelve hits. Jon Kummer had three, Tanner Luebke had two, Cole Pengilly had two, Tim Swanson had two, Carter Clemensen had one, Kyle Brazil had one, and Joey Lilya had one. Although Casey didn't get a hit he managed to draw four walks. 

Zack Nelson was on all night. Zack started the game on the hill and there was never a doubt that he was going the distance. The defense was there to help, too. The Hollanders' defense turned three double plays behind Zack during the night. Nelson was so effective that it took seven innings before the Saints were able to get a guy to second base. He went all eight innings giving up zero runs, picking up six strikeouts, giving up only three hits, and walking only two.

The win puts Cologne up one game to none against Boni in the three game series. Game two will be played Thursday night at 7:30pm in Watertown. Come cheer on the boys and see y'all at the yard.

Ga Hollanders!