Reds Drop "Spring Training Game"

The Crookston Reds added an early game to the schedule on May 6 down in Menahga vs. the Midway Snurdburds, the defedning Region 14 champion. The game's goal for both teams was as a defacto spring training and for much of the game the Reds looked like they would cruise to the victory.  Ace Sean Minder took the hill and cruised through seven innings of 3-hit baseball on just 88 pitches before giving way to the bullpen.  The Reds offense also showed some promise scoring twice in the first, and once in both the seventh before Cody Wardner smashed a home run to left center to build a 4-0 lead through seven and a half.  

Things unraveled however in the bottom of the eigth when two errors, two walks, two hitbatsman and a grand slam resulted in seven runs for Midway, six of them unearned.  The Reds would rally to get a run back in the ninth, but the damage was done as they fell 7-5.  

Reds co-managers Rob Silvers & Matt Morin has this to say after the game.  "I feel like we played almost as good of baseball today as we played at any point last season.  If we can clean up a few areas, we're going to be very good" said Silvers.  Morin added, "We came out and scored runs, that's a big improvement over last season when we were outscored 27-3 in our first three games."

The Reds will return to action with their home opener on Thursday, May 17 against the Fargo Mets before traveling to Deer Creek and Bemdiji May 19 & 20.  Also the Reds have added several games lossing four games that were scheduled with Roseau following the announcement Roseau would not field a team this season.  They are:

May 31 vs. Thief River Falls Bombers (replacing Roseau in the region)

July 12 vs. Moorhead Mudcats (Class B)

July 25 vs. Thief River Falls Bombers