The Red Birds lost to the Blue Earth Pirates, 6-5, in the Semi's of the Hamburg Tournament this afternoon. Chan very uncharacteristically, committed 4 costly infield errors in the first three innings to hand the win to the Pirates.

Adam Johnson started for the Red Birds and was effective in allowing only 1 earned run (but the errors gave the Pirates three more) to make the score 4-0 in the middle of the 3rd inning.

With Pirates on 2nd and 3rd, nobody out, Adam was lifted for reliever Kurt Jantscher. Kurt got the next three batters on a pop to 1st and 2 strikeouts to scuttle the Pirates for the time being.

In the bottom of the 3rd, the Red Birds tied the score at 4 on 1 Pirate error, two walks and RBI singles from T.J. Gulden and Justin Thompson.

Blue Earth got another unearned run in the 4th and then an insurance run in the top of the 7th.

The Red Birds left a lead off Hit Batter, Justin Kurth, on 3rd in the bottom of the 4th, and then left runners in scoring position in the bottom of the 6th after Justin Thompson singled and Kurth doubled.

The Red Birds were down 6-4 into the bottom of the 7th (last inning) and Reid Teigland was hit by the pitcher, Cody Sukalski. He stole second and a wild pitch put him on third base. John Gulden then grounded to 3rd, but the throw to first was wild and Reid scored the 5th run. Zach Swenson then flied out to center for the third out and the Red Birds were eliminated from further tournament play.  Kurt Jantscher took the loss for te Red Birds.

It was a good tournament for the Red Birds who showed they can play with the best in the State. One or two less errors by Chan, and they could have played against Waconia in the championship game.

Next Game for the Red Birds is Friday, for a 7”30 PM start at St. Peter Saints. Then the next Home Game for Chan is Saturday, June 30th at Storm Red Bird Stadium against the Glencoe Brewers. And then on Sunday, July 1^st, the Red Birds visit Tiger Ball Park south of the Minnesota River to take on the Belle Plaine Tigers. That’s a 6:00 PM start against the only team in the RVL that the Red Birds have not yet beaten.

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