Game
Notes:
The Thunder (14-1, 6-1) won a thriller at Eagan 6-5, running their club record winning streak to eight games. Starter Robbie Sikich went six innings to improve to 3-0 on the season. He gave up five hits and four earned runs, while striking out five and walking just one. Sam Foy came on in relief to record the final three outs and earn his first save of the season. After the Thunder chased the Eagan starter to take a 5-1 lead, the Patriots came back to cut the deficit to 5-4 after four complete. Sikich settled in to shut out the Pats over the next two innings, but ran into trouble in the seventh. He hit a batter and gave up a double to start the inning, putting the tying runs in scoring position with none out. Foy coaxed a run-scoring grounder for out number one, then retired the Pats' lead-off hitter for the second out, leaving the tying run at third. Two walks loaded the bases for the Patriot clean-up hitter, who hit a 0-2 pitch for a comebacker to Foy, who tossed to Michael Radermacher for the final out. The Thunder offense, coming off an impressive showing in the Richfield Tournament where they scored 46 runs in four games, showed they could execute the short game by moving runners and taking extra bases in key situations. Joel Bertelsen and Lucas Haug had two hits and knocked in a run apiece, while Foy and Nolan "Hollywood" Titchner added key RBI. Matt Lilledahl extended his recent hitting streak with a single in the 7th. The club has two days off before returning to division play Friday at home against Lakeville North.