Reds Earn First Playoff W

The Crookston Reds began their 2013 playoff campaign last night at Jim Karn Field. The Reds hosted the Thief River Falls Thieves under the lights on a beautiful July night for baseball. The Reds and Thieves have battled back and forth during the regular season making for a much anticipated first-round playoff series.

The Thieves wasted little time in the top half of the first frame scoring three runs on six hits. The Reds came to the plate hoping to get a few back, and they did just that. Two runs were scored by the Reds in the bottom half of the inning. Red's shortstop Paul Smith reached on a fielder's choice, and was able to steal second base. The throw to second was wide of it's mark which allowed Smith to trot to third. Skip Toops then drove in Smith with a timely double. The Red's Catcher Dave “Grabo” Grabowski hit a deep fly ball which advanced Toops to third. Toops then crossed the plate for the Red's second run of the inning on a wild pitch.

The Thieves went down in order in the second. Crafty pitching by the Red's starter #21 Matt Morin induced a fly-out to right and two ground ball outs. The Reds would take the lead in the bottom half of the inning, and not look back. #13 Nick Wheelhouse and Red's designated hitter Justin Johnson would both reach with singles. #7 Paul Smith found the left center field gap and was able to knock in both runs with a two out triple.

Friday night's battery for the Red's, Morin and Grabowski, dialed it in, and were able to hold the Thieves to one other run scored in the fifth inning on a sacrifice fly. Morin and Grabowski painted the corners, and changed up speeds to take advantage of the aggressive Thief River Falls hitters.

The reds tallied runs in the fourth, fifth, and eighth innings. Reds left fielder Nick Wheelhouse led off the fourth with a stand up triple, and eventually crossed the plate on a passed ball. In the fifth Grabowski reached on a single. In the fifth the Reds played hit and run as the Reds first-basemen #22 Casey Morin drove in Grabo, who scored from first, on Morin's clutch two out single. The big insurance run the Red's got in the eighth was due to the hustle of #49 Justin Johnson. Johnson reached on a fielder's choice, and then narrowly beat out another fielder's choice to get into scoring position. A defensive miscue by the Thieves allowed Justin to cross the plate, and score the Red's final run of the night.

 Totals for the Red's: 7 runs, on 9 hits, with 1 error. For the Thieves: 4 runs, on 9 hits, and 5 team errors.

#21 Matt Morin went the distance allowing four earned runs, with four strike outs, and five base on balls. He threw a clever game, and was able to get the win against the rival Thieves.

The Reds look to continue their late season success on Sunday when the travel to Thief River Falls. First pitch of game two is scheduled for 5pm, if needed, game three would take place immediately following game two.

So come on up and cheer on the Reds, should be a nice night for some baseball.