Game
Notes:
Frojd, Perlenfein (2), Furnstahl (5) & Herro (5)
Eastview (25-14-1) fell to #4 seed New Ulm in the Gopher State Quarterfinals. Following this game, New Ulm has given up 1 run in their 4 games on the weekend. They pitch well, attacking the strike zone, and play very solid defense. The staff only gave up 1 hit (to Jack Frojd) to the Lightning and struck out 6 batters. Eastview came out flat, with little energy, and the pitchers fell behind far too many hitters. Perhaps the last two extra inning games had the Eastview players tired, but there was not much life in them for this game. The Lightning finished the weekend 2-2 but they played some darn good baseball in 3 of those games and three of the opponents were in the top 6 of the tournament.
Eastview's season is not over, however. They still have life in the league playoffs as they face Lakeville North in the semifinals. They defeated the Panthers 8-7 in their first tournament game of the season. A lot has changed as both teams have improved since then. Lakeville went 14-2 in their league as they grabbed the 2nd seed in playoffs, giving up the 2nd fewest runs of all 43 MBL teams. Eastview has been tough to beat after losses. The Lightning haven't been beaten two games in a row in almost 20 games and are 10-3 on the season in games following a loss. The winner advances to the league championship on Wednesday; the loser's season is over. It is expected that Chris Ferber (5-1, 2.94) will get the start if his arm is feeling good enough. In his 6 starts on the season, he is 5-0 while the team has yet to lose a start by him. The second option is southpaw Scott Perlenfein (6-3, 2.19). Eastview might be down to only 9 players though because of the season-ending injury to Michael Kyllo (.348/.516/.435), a vacation by Joe Furnstahl (42 SB, .339 obp) and Jack Buck's questionable injury (.438/.530/.510). Game time is set for 630pm Monday evening at the King complex in Lakeville.