Chanhassen hosted the St. Benedict Saints in an Elimination Game in the Region 6 Class C tourney on Sunday afternoon, August 8th.  In the sweltering heat the Red Birds wilted and their season ended with a 9-1 loss to the visitors. 

The Saints scored their 9 runs on 9 hits, with the Red Birds helping out by issuing 7 BBs, 2 Hit Batters, 4 wild pitches, allowing 8 stolen bases and committing 6 errors. 

The Red Birds got their lone run in the 6th inning when C Jeremy Salden - Playoff Draftee from Waconia Lakers - doubled to right center with one out.  Tony Marengo followed with an infield bouncer to short.  Tony beat the throw for a hit and the first baseman couldn't control the low throw as it bounced toward the dugout and Salden scored to prevent the shut out.

Casey Malmgren was the starting pitcher and took the loss for the Red Birds, working 4 innings, giving up 5 runs on 9 hits while allowing only 1 BB and getting 2 Ks.    Zach Neubauer moved from SS to relieve Malmgren in the 5th inning and worked 2 and 2/3 innings giving up 4 runs on no hits, while allowng 6 BBs, 3 wild pitches and 2 hit batters, and recording 5 Ks of the Saints batters.  Mat Peot -  PLayoff Draftee from the Henderson Tigers worked the final 2 and 1/3 innings allowing no runs, issuing 1 BB and striking out 1.

Nick Brenner and T. J. Gulden were each 3-4, Jeff Pavlovich was 1-4 with a double in the 1st inning.

Saints starting pitcher, Steve Weiers, worked 8 innings to get the win, getting 7 Ks allowing only 1 BB and 1 HB.  Playoff draftee, Kyle Johnson from the Union Hill Bulldogs relieved Weiers in the 9th inning and allowed a one out single to T.J. Gulden but closed the inning with a fly out to left field and finished off the game and the Red Birds season with a strike out of Adam Heitz.

St. Benedict continues in the region 6 C tourney hosting the Winthrop Eagles in a game on Wednesday evening, August 11, at 8:00 PM at either New Prague or Jordan.

For the Red Birds, the season came to an end in a game that did not reflect the spirit, resilience and competitiveness exhibited throughout the season.  The experience gained will be a building block for this team in the future. 

The loss was disappointing to the first year team, but what was not lost on the fans and the entire Red Bird organization, was the fact that the Chanhassen Red Birds had a remarkable season, making it to the region tourney in the first year that town baseball returned to the community.  There remains an excitement and anticipation for next year's season and the opportunity to continue the enjoyment and showcasing of the splendid Storm Red Bird Stadium.