The Red Birds beat Arlington on Wednesday night, 15-8, and will next play the Jordan Brewers on Saturday night at 6:00 PM at the Jordan Mini-met. It was a real slugfest for both teams, with Chanhassen collecting 15 hits and the A's getting 11. The difference seemed to be that the A's committed 5 errors, and the Red Birds committed none.

The Red Birds scored 2 in the bottom of the 1st inning for a quick lead. Arlington came back with 3 in the top of the 3rd to move in front, 3-2.

But the Red Birds bats came alive in the bottom of the third when Chanhassen batted 14, scored 8 runs, and knocked out starting pitcher Scott Husfeldt for the A's. The first 7 batters all scored for the Red Birds in the 3rd.

The Red Birds got 3 more runs in the bottom of the 5th and it looked like the game would be over in 7 innings.

But, the A's got a run in the top of the 6th to make the score 13-4.

Arlington then got 4 runs in the top of the 7th to give the Red Bird fans a little concern and with one out, 4 runs in, and a runner in scoring position at 2nd, starting pitcher, Casey Malmgren was lifted for reliever Jon Eischens. Eischens got the next two batters out on a fly ball to center, and short pop out to 2nd. That ended the threat from the A's.

In the 8th inning, Eischens allowed a full count to the first two batters but got each of them on a swinging third strike. The third batter in the inning grounded easily 2-3 to end the inning.

Chanhassen got two more runs in the bottom of the 8th, and Eischens finished the game getting the A;s 1-2-3 in the top of the 9th. John retired all 8 batters he faced for a perfect job in relief.

Shawn Riesgraf was the batting phenom, going 3-3 with three doubles, two walks and HBP. He also scored twice and had 3 RBI's. Jeff Pavlovich also hit safely three times, including an opening inning double to start the game for the Red Birds. Pav also stole two bases and scored three times.

Next game will be on Saturday night, 6:00 PM against the Jordan Brewers, at the Mini-Met in Jordan. The winner gets third place in Region 6 C and heads to the State Tournament on Sunday, August 18th, for a 2:30 game in Delano against the #2 Seed from Region 15.

See you at the game. Red Bird Fever is HOT. Catch it!

Full stats at www.chanredbirds.org