The Chanhassen Red Birds visited storied Arlington Ball park on Sunday and pounded out 16 hits for a 13 - 7 win over the River Valley League West Division Arlington A's.

The Red Birds exploded in the first inning with 4 runs off starter and losing pitcher, Matt Pichelmann.  That gave Red Birds the momentum to build to a 7-2 lead after 4 innigs and 11-3 after 6.  Arlington got 4 runs in the bottom of the 5th to threaten the Red Birds after Manager Nelson made some substitutions in the field.  But the Red Birds countered with 2 runs in the top of the 8th to make it 13-7 and Nate Swenson relieved Red Birds Starter and winning pitcher, Justin Kurth, and pitched scoreless 8th and 9th getting four A's on strikeouts.

Manger Nelson got 15 players in the game for the Red Birds in the third of three games in three days, for a 2-1 record this weekend. 

Justin Kurth pitched 7 innings allowing 7 runs on 11 hits, striking out 5 and allowing two walks. Kurth now has started two of the Red Birds three wins this season, and his control of keeping the ball around the plate is great for the defense behind him. 

Nate Swenson moved from SS to pitcher for the second time this season and has shown Manager Nelson that he can be relied on to keep the ball in play as well, striking out four of the 11 batters that he faced.

Red Birds bats were popping with 13 hits, 6 for extra bases.  David Naughtin led the Hit Parade with 3-5, including single, double and 2 run homer, scoring 3 times and driving in 4 runs.  John Gulden's bat is hot again after a shoulder injury as he went 3-5 with two doubles and a single, scored once and had an RBI. T.J. Gulden went 2-4 with two singles, scored twice and had an RBI in the 3 Run 4th innning.  Nate Swenson also had two singles and scored twice.  First year players Kurt Jantscher and Mike Cerjance, both lefties at the plate took advantage of the Right Field wind and blasted triple and double respectively.

The Red Birds are now 3-1 in RV League play and 2-0 in the Class C division.  For complete standings click on STANDINGS in the left margin.

Red Birds have two home games this week.  Wednesday night at 7:30 hosting the Carver Black Sox, and then Thursday night a 7:30 makeup game with the Shakopee Indians.  Come on out to support yoru Red Birds.

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