For the Red Birds, this evening’s game with Belle Plaine was a matter of “SECONDS”

For the 2^nd year in a row, the Red Birds go to the Championship game of the Central Division and lose to Belle Plaine…

And for the second game in a row this season against Belle Plaine the Red Birds lost by one run in the bottom of the 10^th inning.

On July 10^th, the Red Birds visited Tiger park and lost 6-5 in the 10^th inning on a bases loaded walk to Dan Huber. 

Tonight, The Red Birds scored 1 in the top of the 10^th to take a 1-0 lead.  But in the bottom of the 10^th with 2 outs, and a man on 2^nd, Belle Plaine got two straight singles by Brad Lawson and Pat Schultz to score 2 runs and win the Central Division championship of the River Valley League.

It was a classic pitcher’s duel for 9 innings with Tiger Starter, Adam Johnson, going 9.1 innings, allowing one unearned run on 7 hits and only 1 base on balls, while striking out 15 Red Bird batters.  Brad Lawson relieved him in the 10^th inning and earned the win.  The Tigers left 9 men on base, 4 in scoring position.

Justin Thompson pitched masterfully for 9 innings allowing no runs on just 5 hits (all singles), walking just two and striking out 6 Tiger batters.  Nate Swenson relieved in the 10^th inning, allowing two runs on 1 walk and 2 singles to take the loss.

T. J. Gulden had a single and double and Zach Swenson had two singles for the Red Birds.  John Gulden collected two singles including the one that drove in Nate Swenson for the go ahead run in the top of the 10^th inning.  The Red Birds had some good chances leaving 11 men on base and 7 in scoring position, but couldn’t get the timely hit to score before the 10^th inning.

The Red Birds now travel to the West Division #1 Seed, St. Peter Saints for the 1^st round of Region 6 C playoffs on Friday night, August 5^th for an 8:00 PM game.  Win or lose, they will then play another away game on Sunday, August 7^th at 2:00 PM.    The Red Birds defeated the Saints at Storm Red Bird Stadium on June 29^th by a score of 2-1 on the strength of a complete game win for Casey Malmgren.

Watch this space for further information about the playoffs. Click on the PLAYOFFS or Handouts icon at the left to see the full playoff schedules.

For Regional Playoffs, the Chanhassen Red Birds have drafted pitcher Darron Culbert from the Le Sueur Braves.

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