The Outlaws traveled to Minnetonka on Sunday to open their 2015 regular season schedule.  The weather didn't look like it would cooperate, but the skies parted and all systems were a go! The River Valley League season was underway.

It was a bit of a skeleton crew for the good guys fielding a team of 10 to square off against the River Valley new comer Minnetonka Lakers.  Sam Baumgartner wasted no time welcoming them to the league by opening play with a booming double off the left field fence.  John Maslow did his job pulling a grounder to the right side of the infield moving Sammy over to third base.  (You read that correctly...Maslow is back with the team after a two year leave of absence.)  With the preasure on, the Laker pitcher (no name in book) buckled down and retired the next two Outlaw hitters and ended the early threat.

Southwest rookie sensation and long time Jackson Bull, Tom Hady, took the hill for the Outlaws.  Tom made quick work of the home team in the first, pitching around a two out single to Linquist and securing two of the three outs by punch-out.  

Minnetonka also cruised through the top of the 2nd setting the Outlaw hitters down in order.  2nd verse, same as the first for Hady as he surrendered a 2 out single to Kubesh.  Kubesh wouldn't advance past first base however as Hady coaxed a pop-up to Baumgartner at shortstop to end the inning.  The inning was highlighted by a great running catch by Paul Oelrich in center.  That guy can still run!!! 

Jeff Appel led off the third inning by turning a first pitch Laker fastball around for a line drive single to center field.  Appel was quickly erased on a fielders choice off the bat of Chris Nelson.  Nellie would eventually advance to 2nd, but would end up being doubled off after Tom Hady hit a liner to the Laker third baseman.  Hady pitched a flawless bottom of the third, dicing through the Minnetonka line-up in order and adding his third strikeout of the game.  

The fourth inning opened up with the first two Outlaws being retired in order.  With two outs Paul Oelrich gave the Southwest crew some life by blasting a double to left-center.  Mike Roth then did what any good clean up hitter does....he cleaned it up.  Magic Mike laced a single to left driving in Oelrich and putting the Outlaws out in front 1-0.  Minnetonka would limit the damage to one run.  The Lakers attempted to answer back with a one out single, and one out later working a base on balls to put the tying run in scoring position.  Hady looked as if he was growing stronger as the game continued and threw a wet blanket on the rally escaping with the 1-0 lead in tact.

Jason Beckett opened up the 5th inning by reaching on an infield single.  With the skies darkening and the rain beginning to fall, Ryan Carlson moved Beckett into scoring position with a text book sacrifice bunt.  Jeff Appel then reached for the 2nd straight time by working a full count base on balls.  A fielders choice forced Beckett out at third and one batter later the inning ended with a fly ball to right field.  

5 innings makes a complete game in the River Valley...so Hady led the Outlaws crew out in the bottom of the 5th with rain falling and lightning crashing.  As previously mentioned Tom looked to be building a head of steam as the storm moved in.  Hady retired the lead-off hitter on yet another running catch by Oelrich in center.  Paul is a walking talking defensive highlight reel.  Out number two came on a scorching line drive to the mitt of Chris Nelson in right field.  Nellie read the ball flawlessly as the rain started to tumble down harder.  As the skies opened up Hady ended the game by pitching a pop-up to third baseman Roth in foul territory.  

The tarps were quickly rushed out to cover the mound and home plate, but it was all for none.  Mother nature ended the game with 5 innings complete and the Outlaws taking the opener by a 1-0 score.  

Tom Hady earned the complete game victory pitching all 5 and striking out 3 Laker hitters.  Sam Baumgartner was 1 for 2 with a double, Paul Oelrich was 1 for 2 with a double and a run scored, Mike Roth was 1 for 2 with the big RBI single in the 4th, Jason Beckett was 1 for 2, and Jeff Appel reached in both plate appearances with a single and a walk.  

A truly solid defensive effort for the Outlaws behind the strong pitching of Hady.  Next up for the Outlaws is a double header June 7th in Welcome.  It will almost feel like the season is starting over again with these long breaks!  See you there!