8/5: Season Ends in Disappointment

Cobras dropped game 3 to the Lakers 9-4. Game tied 3-3 going into the 7th but things fall apart from there. Matty Germar pitches 6 strong innings, Brian Jensen and Kevin Truax have 2 RBI a piece, but Cobras leave too many guys on base and Lakers take advantage. Cobras finish the season at 22-22. Thanks to all the fans that came out and supported us all year. We'll see you in Early May.

8/4: Urseth, Defense key Cobras Win

JE Urseth went CG Saturday, scattering 11 hits as the Cobras evened the best of 3 series with the Lakers at 1 with a 4-1 victory. Matt Borman had 2 hits and 2 RBI, Mason Reinhart had 2 hits, and Erik Quarberg scored 2 runs for the Cobras, who set up the deciding game 3 with great defense, and the pitching of Urseth who came within one ball tipped off Matt Rink's glove of throwing a shut out. The Lakers loaded the bases in the 9th, but 2 pop outs ended their rally. The final game of the series will be Sunday at 6:00 pm at Parade Stadium. Winner goes to State, loser goes home.

8/1: Do or Die Time

The Cobras lost game 1 in the best of 3 series to the Lakers 8-3 on Wednesday, setting up a win or go home situation for Saturday. The Cobras jumped out to an early 2-0 lead on RBI singles by Matt Borman and Kevin Truax. The Lakers got 1 back in the 3rd and 3 in the 4th, and it stayed 4-2 until the 8th when the Lakers delivered a huge Grand Slam to put the game out of reach for the 2nd straight time, the last being in the regular season. Ben Schroeder was the hard luck loser for the Cobras, pitching 7 1/3 great innings. Matt Rink and Erik Quarberg each had 2 hits for the Cobras, but it wasn't enough. The Cobras will now try to avoid elimination on Saturday at 7:30. In related news, the game started at 10:05 last night and by the time it was over, even the homeless people were asleep.

7/31: Cobras/Lakers Preview

The Cobras and Lakers will play a best of 3 series to determine who will be one of the 3 teams representing the Park National League in the State Tourney. This will be the 2nd meeting in the playoffs, the last occurring in 2008 when the Lakers won 2-1, including an 11-2 debacle in the decisive game 3. This season the Cobras and Lakers split the series so that doesn't help settle anything. The series dates back to 1999 when the Cobras wore teal undershirts and the Lakers hailed from Southwest, with the Cobras holding an all time 76-75-1 lead in the series. The pitching matchup in that opening game in 1999. For the Cobras, Matt Germar. For the Lakers, Mordecai "Three Fingers" Brown. Should be a competitive series. Best of luck to both teams, except the Lakers.

7/26: Cobras Fall To St. Anthony 9-6

The Cobras finished the 2012 regular season with a 9-6 loss to the St. Anthony Hogs.  Neither webmaster was at the game...The Cobras finish the 2012 campaign at 21-20.

The Cobras face the Lakers in the Park National League best 2 of 3 series starting Wednesday August 1st at 8:30pm.

7/24: Cobras Blanked At Chaska 6-0

The Cobras travelled to beautiful Chaska Athletic Park Tuesday night for a non-league tilt with the Chaska Cubs but left their bats at home, losing 6-0.  J.E. Urseth threw 5.1 innings, with Kevin Truax going the rest in scoreless relief.  Mason Reinhart had two laser beam hits.  The Cobras stranded runners all night, and by the end of the game helmets, bats and swear words were tossed around with little regard.  The Cobras were graced by the presence of their entire disabled list (Al-Dollar and Wengenroth).  Rob Gossard played first and forgot to hold on a runner, was fined for it, then fined all 3 people on the bench for not helping him out...only Al-Dollar skated (for a non selfish defense).  Matt Germar skated for being a terrible pace car and Urseth was fined for guzzling beers with the Pub during the Patriots game.

The Cobras play St. Anthony Thursday at St. Anthony HS at 7pm in their final tune up before playoffs.

7/20-7/22: Cobras Pitch Well But Go 1-2 in Cold Spring

The Cobras got great starts from Ben Schroeder, Garrett Harrison and Ryan Nelson but none got wins in the Cold Spring Invitational.  

Friday night the Cobras faced the defending Class B champions the Sauk Rapids Cyclones...Ben Schroeder threw 6 innings and despite 3 runs in the first threw a great game.  Matt Youngquist threw the 7th and blew a guys doors off with some 72 MPH cheddar. The Cobras bats were held to only 4 hits on the night.  Post game the Cobras tore up Old Chicago in St. Cloud where J.E. Urseth took Youngquist on a "tequila tour"...Youngquist promptly blacked out.

Saturday matched up the Cobras against the Brainerd Bees.  Starting pitcher and southpaw Garrett Harrison licked his chops when 7 out of the 9 Brainerd hitters were lefties.  Harrison threw a gem, and had it not been for 4 Cobras errors would have factored in the decision.  Matt Germar came in relief to vulture yet another win.  The Cobras ate every wing at the Buffalo Wild Wings in St.Cloud post game, doused in ranch.  The Cobras Saturday night poker game was "won" by Matt Borman (chopped the pot with Kevin Truax) and he flaunted the use of his winnings every chance he got.

Sunday pitted the Cobras against the home team Cold Spring Springers...in another "suns out, guns out" Sunday game.  Ryan Nelson threw a complete game and settled down after a rough start in the first inning.  Matt Germar bought a reversible penny tank top at Scheels pre-game and bragged about it's incredible airflow.  Everyone sweated profusely and Erik Quarberg threw his bat over a fence in disgust of the Umpires wide strike zone.  

The Cobras are off Monday before travelling to Chaska on Tuesday for a 7:30 tilt with the Cubs.  Park National League playoff matchups have been set and the Cobras will be facing the Lakers in the 2nd round (first round bye for both teams).

A game with the St. Anthony Hogs has been added for July 26th at 7pm.

7/19: Cobras Fall To Patriots 8-4 in Final PNash Regular Season Game

Quick Recap: Patriots score 4 in the first, Cobras battle back with RBI's by Rink, Reinhart, Quarberg and Borman, Patriots score 4 more runs.  Game Over.  Youngquist forgot beer...

The Cobras travel to Cold Spring this weekend for a weekend full of baseball and beer.  Hopefully Cold Spring doesn't forget beer.

7/18: Quarberg Homers Again, Urseth Goes CG Shutout Wednesday

The Cobras clinched a top 4 seed and a first round playoff bye with a 2-0 win against the River Rats on Wednesday night.  

The Cobras were lead by J.E. Urseth who pitched a complete game and scattered 6 Rats hits.  Offensively, the Cobras got on the board with Erik Quarberg's 10th HR of the season leading off the 2nd inning.  They would score again in the 3rd inning on a Matt Rink sac fly to CF scoring Matt Youngquist, who was angry that I originally mentioned Ryan Nelson scoring.  The Cobras D was tight the entire game and the OF showcased their hand cannons with Rink throwing a runner out at 2nd and Matt Borman gunning down a guy at home.  Matt Germar was especially pumped about the entire team's performance.

In the parking lot the Miller Lite was crushed, thanks to the punch top can.  Nelson was Max Fined for forgetting beer the night before, then consulted manager Rob Gossard about why his iPhone "didn't open the attachment".  Youngquist skated for asking if we were wearing blue jerseys today.

The Cobras return to Parade tonight against the American Pie Patriots for their final league game of 2012.  Game time is 8:30pm.

7/16: Ugly Loss to Lakers

The Cobras played a poor game, losing 9-4

Ugly is the only way to describe it. Helped by a bad umpire (in fairness, he was bad for both teams), the Cobras dropped one to the Lakers 9-4. Matt Borman had 2 hits and 3 RBI. Kevin Truax was solid on the mound but was hurt by errors and umpire discretionary calls. Matt Youngquist broke a finger catching a ball. He is listed as day to day, but then again, aren't we all. River Rats next on Wednesday at Parade @ 7:00. Nelson forgot beer.

7/15: Cobras Trip Blue Sox

Matt Rink, Matt Borman, and Brian Jensen had 3 hits as the Cobras downed the feisty Blue Sox 10-4 in Park National League action. Ryan Nelson pitched 6 solid innings while Adam Shoberg finished up. The Cobras had 13 hits on the day, including another Erik Quarberg HR, his 8th of the season, adding to his single season wood bat record. Matt Youngquist showed up at gametime in red shorts, and proceeded to coach 3rd base... in red shorts. He also forgot his belt and committed several other indiscretions which he was fined for. Quarberg continued his relentless stat mongering. Cobras will take on the Lakers in a crucial league game tonight at 8:30 at Parade.

7/14: Quarberg walk off leads PN over Skyline, Germar Vultures

Erik Quarberg hit a 2 out, 2 run HR to lead the Park National to a victory over the Skyline League 7-6 in the All Star Game. Matty Germar got the victory. Congrats to all who participated.

7/13: Cobras take down Waseca Braves

With thunderstorms looming everywhere, and lightning filling the sky periodically, the Cobras beat Waseca 8-4 in a game that featured some walks, some questionable umpiring, and a Minnesota Amateur Baseball icon getting upset at the Cobras for no good reason. Cobras managed only 6 hits on the night but parlayed those hits into 8 runs. There were also many wild pitches and passed balls. Ben Schroeder was dominant on the night, throwing a complete game striking out 10 Wasecanites. Matt Rink had two hits for the Cobras, and several others had good at bats. Ballboy Miles Jensen threw lasers back to the umpire. Tink Larson and Matt Germar got into a friendly discussion about the merits of the umpire, as did Rob Gossard with another Waseca coach. It all worked out in the end. Cobras will resume play Sunday vs the Blue Sox at Parade Stadium at 2:30. In the meantime, congratulations to Cobras Matty Germar, Ryan Nelson, Mason Reinhart, and Erik Quarberg, as they will be representing the Park National in the all star game on Saturday.

7/11: Dark Knights: Northfield Crunches Cobras 13-4

The Cobras played one of their periodic clunkers, losing to the Northfield Knights 13-4 in a game where the only highlights were yelling at the umpire for being remarkably inept, and managing to not get 10 runned. Cobras made 6 errors, walked a bunch of people, and as is normally the case in games like this, Northfield dumped a bunch of bloopers into the outfield. At least the field was nice. Cobras will be down in Waseca on Friday to take on the Waseca Braves in another game at a nice field. Let's hope the results are a little better.

7/10: Roasted Skeet, Lakers Beat

Matt Rink's single in the 10th inning propelled the Cobras to a 6-4 win over the Lakers in a crucial league game at Parade Stadium. The Cobras got a run in the 1st on a Matt Borman single. The Lakers answered back on a homer that may be stuck in the ivy to tie the score at 1. In the 3rd, Erik Quarberg hit a monster HR to make it 3-1, but in the 5th the Lakers rallied again to tie the score at 3. The Cobras got 1 in the 7th on two walks, a HBP, and a wild pitch, but again the pesky Lakers tied the game at 4. Finally, in the 10th, the Rink single, and a Quarberg Sac Fly accounted for the final 2 runs. JE Urseth pitched well over 6 innings, and Matty Germar semi-vultured a win, but he pitched 4 terrific innings as well. The game was notable for it's several web gems and flawless bunting by both sides, as well as several controversies/strange plays including

• A blatant missed balk call causing Billy Ryan to deflect blame towards the plate ump, fans in the stands, Castle, dog in the stands, homeless people, and anyone else lurking nearby
• 2 balls hitting Laker players bat knobs
• The home run ball that was never found
• The Lakers trying unsuccessfully to bat 2 pitchers and then re-enter the DH
• Quarberg getting stepped on at 1st, and Goose going nuts. Several Cobras were hoping for a full gear Catcher fight
• The fact that the average age of the Laker lineup was younger than any of Matty Germar's illegitimate children.

Cobras are back in action tonight in Northfield, with a game vs the Northfield Knights. 7:30 at beautiful Sechler Park in Northfield.

7/2: Sandusky shuts Down Hit Dawg

Kevin Truax, making his first start since the Bush administration, struck out 7 and allowed only 1 earned run as the Cobras headed into the 4th of July break on a positive note, winning 5-2 over the surprisingly tough Hit Dawg Academy. Hit Dawg, located in Chaska, was comprised mainly of kids still in high school, but they competed and made plays to make for a competitive game.

Cobras scored 2 in the 2nd on a J.E. Urseth bases loaded walk, and a Mike Lenertz double play (the first of two), and 2 more in the 3rd on a 2 run single by Brian Jensen. They finished out their scoring on a 2 out triple by Matt Youngquist who then scored on a wild pitch and did a small backspin sliding into home. Cobras managed only 5 hits on the night, 2 by Urseth, but also took 7 walks, while Truax, just like my neighbor, didn't walk a Dawg. (Side Note: My neighbor never walks his dog.)

Cobras will be off until 7/10 when they face the Lakers at Parade Stadium.

7/1: No Points, No Wins, 40 Day

The Cobras lost to the Angels yesterday 3-0 in a game dominated by pitching. The Angels pitchers held the Cobras to 2 hits while striking out many, as for one of the only times all year the Snakes batters were made to look human. Ben Schroeder was equally dominant on the mound, throwing a CG 3 hitter, but he was victimized by some unlucky breaks in the field. After the game, 40 day commenced and the revelry included:

• KT being fined for being a Facebook stalker
• Mason telling the shortened, "R" rated version of the "Face Baby" story, but still managing to genuinely offend Q's girlfriend, and then feeling bad about it
• Wengenroth limping off with his pimp cane to go pee on a tree approximately 43 times
• Goose sneaking up behind people and throwing a small football at them as hard as he could
• JE grilling a smorgasbord of meats, while periodically turning around and swearing at no one in particular
• Borman spitting out water and then yelling "Fountain!!"
• Germar changing from "greasy white tanktop" to "greasy black tanktop"
• Rink naked and rubbing ice cubes on his nipples
• Lenertz laughing at everything
• An unhealthy amount of conversation about the movie "Magic Mike"

Cobras will be back in action tonight vs Hit Dawg Academy. Rule #1 of Hit Dawg Academy, you don't talk about Hit Dawg Academy. 6:30 at somewhere out West that we may not find.

6/28: Cobras Come Up Short vs. Lyon's Pub 4-2

The Cobras split the season series with Lyon's Pub after falling 4-2 on Thursday night.  The game was a pitchers duel, at least much more than their previous 16-6 score on Sunday.  J.E. Urseth threw for the Cobras going the distance and keeping a pretty potent Pub offense to only 4 runs.  

The Pub went up 1-0 in the first inning on a sacrifice fly to right field...The Cobras would tie up the game in the 3rd inning on a 2 out ground ball to 3rd by Mason Reinhart that was thrown up the line and pulled the first baseman off the bag scoring Matt Youngquist.  The Pub would answer back by scoring 2 courtesy of a botched pickoff attempt that resulted in a 3 base error via snowball fight and a 2 out single by the Pub lead off hitter down the left field line.   The Cobras would get 1 in the 5th via Reinhart on a fielders choice scoring Youngquist again.  Unfortunately that would be all the Cobras could get across, and the Pub added an insurance run in the 7th to win 4-2.

In the parking lot the Cobras were attacked by the roid ragin' mosquitoes of Parade Stadium.  The mosquitoes are unaffected by bug spray.  Call the DNR.

The Cobras next game is Sunday vs the Angels...Noon at Parade Stadium.  It's "40 day"...skeet skeet.

6/27: Cobras Score 5 In The First, Cruise to 7-3 Victory Over Merchants

Ryan Nelson went CG Wednesday on a incredibly hot day at Parade Stadium powering the Cobras past the Metro Merchants 7-3.  The Cobras got out to a fast start scoring 5 runs in the first inning...that would prove to be enough and the Cobras would tack on insurance runs in the 5th and 6th innings for breathing room.  Nelson had it going early...throwing his new "illusion ball"...the "illusion ball" is a pitch that causes the batter to draw a line in the opposing batters box where you think it crossed resulting in immediate ejection from the game.  Here is video of a simlilar "illusion ball" being thrown in a game.

The Cobras tallied 17 hits on the night...Mason Reinhart did NOT break a bat this game...Erik Quarberg went 3-4 even though he used a different bat than last night...J.E. Urseth's profuse sweating was matched only by the Merchants starting pitcher...Matt Borman did his best Mike Lenertz impression and tried to have a ball in his back pocket for an at bat.

The Cobras have a big game tonight against Lyon's Pub at 8:30pm...then they are off for 2 entire days (wow) before a "40 Day" tilt against the Angels on Sunday at Noon.

6/26: Quarberg Goes Deep Twice, Cobras Blast Blue Sox 12-2

The Cobras got out of an ugly 3 game slide by taking their anger out on the Blue Sox Tuesday night.  The Sox should have no trouble growing mustaches for their annual Worm game this year as they all became men watching Erik Quarberg hit.  Quarberg finished 3-3 with 2HR, 2B, BB, 6RBI...and had a large fan club at the game who all came because the "Q" signal was lit over Parade Stadium. 

Billy Diaz got the complete game victory for the Cobras and only hit 1 batter, however many Sox dodged errant throws all night.  Quarberg got the scoring started as he unloaded on a 3-0 fastball in the first inning for a 3-run home run.  The runs would continue to pile on throughout the evening...and with one on in the bottom of the 5th with the Cobras up 10-2 Quarberg would hit a ball to Dunwoody Blvd thus ending the game...the home run looked Something Like This.  The Cobras drank PBR tallboys in celebration.

A lot of Cobras had hits...not just Quarberg.  Mason Reinhart continued his string of breaking Matt Bormans bats.  Borman still thinks he will hit more home runs than Quarberg this year.  Quarberg attempted to secrete nipple juice to share some of his hot hitting to J.E. Urseth who would "blast" a bloop single into right field in a pinch hit appearance.  Court was held...and early preparations for "40 Day" on Sunday were made.

The Cobras face the Metro Merchants today at 6:15pm.

6/25: Cobras fall to American Pie 9-2

The Cobras took the field Monday and hadn't quite shook off the rust of the weekend, dropping a key Park National League game to the American Pie Patriots 9-2.  The game was close until a smashed line drive that was caught by pitcher Matty Germar was thrown into center field attempting to double up the runner on 2nd.  The wheels quickly fell off and the Patriots would be up 9-1...The Pats starting pitcher kept the Cobras bats quiet all night and that was all she wrote.

Mason Reinhart exploded one of Matt Borman's bats...J.E. Urseth hit a double and forgot to slide into second...Mike Lenertz grunted some throws across the diamond from 3rd the day after throwing 120 pitches...Matt Germar had a mini-seizure after throwing previously mentioned ball into center field...and Erik Quarberg had a great catch on a line drive in the first inning.

The Cobras face the Blue Sox tonight at 8:30pm...Camo uniforms will NOT be worn.

6/21-6/24: Cobras Finish 4th in Stockmen's Tourney

The Cobras finished in 4th place in the Stockmen's Irish Invitational, finishing 1-2 on the weekend.  The Cobras would beat Highland Park 9-8 in a back and fourth game to open the tourney.  The second game was against the defending tournament and state tournament champs, Stockmen's Irish...and via the mercy rule the Cobras would fall 10-0 in 5 innings.  The 3rd place game would pit the Cobras vs a familiar foe in the Lyon's Pub Warriors...The Cobras would jump out to a 6-0 lead but then surrender 16 unanswered runs and lose 16-6 in 5 innings.  

Highlights

Erik Quarberg hit his 4th HR of the year vs Highland Park

Matt Rink hit 2 HR on the weekend.

Dan Thompson got married...many Cobras (Past and Present) were in attendance.

Lowlights

Gave up a ton of runs.  34 in total.

Gave up 16 unanswered runs on Sunday.

JE brought the wrong color uniform to the Sunday game.

The Cobras will shake off the weekend troubles and have 4 league games in a row this week starting with the American Wesley Homes Gator Patriot Pies tonight at 8:30pm.

6/15: Short Handed Cobras Pummel Short Handed Dukes

In a rematch that was 12 years in the making, the Cobras made it back to Dundas and with a patchwork line up cruised by the Dukes 9-4. This was the first trip to Dundas for the Cobras since 2000 when they suffered a 19-1 defeat and alienated everyone in the crowd causing former Dukes manager Bill Nelson to issue a lifetime ban on the Cobras coming back to play. 12 years later the Cobras were granted parole, and judging by the outcome, one would suspect the Dukes will want a rematch in 2013 as the outcome was never really in doubt. The Cobras plated 1 in the 1st on a Kevin Truax single and a Matt Borman double, 3 in the second on a Matt Germar double scoring Brian Jensen, and a Truax single scoring Mike Lenertz and Germar, a RBI single by Jensen, and a fielder's choice by Lenertz in the 6th, a double by Mason Reinhart in the 7th, and a 2 run bomb by Kahtan Al Kaissy in the 9th, who is now know as "D Clark" in Dundas lore. On the mound JE Urseth was worth his weight in gold, or at least pewter, as he kept the heavy hitting Dukes at bay, allowing 3 runs and 9 hits over 8 super solid innings. The defense, which had been a liability last year, was good again, and Garrett Harrison showed his promise, pitching an excellent 9th. In all, the Cobras tallied 16 hits against one of the most storied teams in Minnesota Amateur Baseball. It was a nice performance. Thanks very much to the Dukes for having us to your field, hopefully we can do it again next year. After the game the Cobras feasted on beer and pickled turkey gizzards brought by "D Clark". Happy trails to "D Clark" as well as he goes in for the first of two hip surgeries on tuesday. Get well soon, and we'll see you in uniform next year. Cobras will be off until Wednesday, when they will play the Minneapolis Lakers at Parade.

6/14: Rain washes out Cobras/Blue Sox

Game to be made up at a later date

6/13: Traps set, Rats Dead

The Rats billed themselves as the "best 1-5 team in state". They may want to restate that as the best 4-11 team in state as they gave the Cobras all they could handle, but ultimately the Good Guys prevailed 6-4. The Rats certainly were scrappy as they put up a 2 spot in the 1st inning, but the Cobras brought 4 of their own in in the bottom of the 1st and never looked back.

In the 1st, a Kevin Truax single and a Mason Reinhart double made it 2-1. After Erik Quarberg got hit in the head, and Matt Borman reached, Brian Jensen drove in 2 with a single to left. Borman then scored on a Matty Germar ground out for the fourth run. Ben Schroeder took over from there. The Righty was terrific on the night, taking it to his former team and leaving with a 4-3 lead after 5.

 In the 6th, a Quarberg walk, Borman Single, and Jensen hit by pitch loaded the bases for Germar, who promptly laced a single to right making it 6-3. Truax took over on the mound for the last two innings for the save and was the recipient of a gem of a play that only got noticed by a few. With a runner on first ond nobody out in the 6th, a rat laced a double to the gap. Borman, on his proverbial horse, tracked the ball down and flipped the ball, behind his back, with his glove, to Ryan Nelson, who was able to get the ball in quickly to prevent the runner from 1st to score. Then Truax got a harmless grounder to 3rd, then walked a batter, and then got a 1-2-3 double play to end the inning with no runs scoring. It doesn't show up in the book, but it was a run saver.

Truax proceeded to shut the door in the 7th allowing a gimme run, and the furthest sideways foul ball in Park National history, and the Cobras had their 3rd stright league win. The Cobras D was stellar, with Quarberg helping his infield with several scoops at 1st, and Rob Gossard blocking the ball like a champion for the 2nd straight night as a Catcher while his infant daughter watched her 1st Park National game.

Big ups also to Ben Schroeder's 15 year old team for chasing foul balls so we didn't have to. Cobras will play again Thursday, weather permitting, against the Blue Sox in another league game at Parade Stadium at 8:30. Also, Kahtan was there talking about his impending hip surgery, Johnny LincolnLog will have ACL surgery, and some super nice girl that Borman knows brought us like 20 more beers. Here's hoping Cobra nation was cautious on their way home.

6/12: Cobras beat Pub in Total Silence According to the Wishes of Pub Guy

The Cobras improved their league record to 2-1 with a gritty 5-4 win over the Lyon's Pub on Tuesday in a game that included a little bit of everything. The Cobras jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the 1st on a double by Ryan Nelson that scored Kevin Truax and a single by Erik Quarberg that scored Nelson. Pub tied it in the bottom of the inning thanks to some errors and stolen bases. Cobras got a run back in the 3rd and the Pub promptly tied it again. The game stayed that way until the 6th when Brian Jensen got "hit" by a pitch to lead off the inning. After 2 outs, Truax hit another laser down the right field line to put runners on 2nd and 3rd. Then both runners scored on an uncharacteristic error by the Pub's SS. Pub led off the 7th with a HR (complete with a painfully slow trot) and put runners on the corners with one out. Kevin Truax came in to relieve Matty Germar and on pitch 2 got a 1-6-3 double play to end it. Germar was fantastic on the night, pitching 6 1/3 innings and keeping the Pub off balance and the Cobras had 10 hits against one of the top pitchers in the Park National.

The Pub has started out the season mired in a slump, but they look basically like the same team as always so no doubt they'll break out and be in it at the end, however, some members of the Pub are still getting irritated at Matty Germar's "fist pumping and chirping" mound demeanor. Considering he's pretty much pitched twice a year against them for 15 years, we're not sure why. It's like getting mad at Donkey Kong when he steals the princess and climbs up the ladder. You KNOW what's going to happen. Cobras resume action on Wednesday with another league game vs the River Rats at 6:15 @ Parade Stadium

6/8-10 Cannon Falls Tournament

In warm and windy conditions, the Cobras took 2nd place in the Cannon Falls tournament played at John Burch Park in Cannon Falls.

Game 1 saw the Snakes play the Elko Express, in a rematch of last year's first round matchup. The Cobras jumped out early and often, led by Mason Reinhart's 2 monstrous home runs and cruised to a 9-6 victory. J.E. Urseth went CG friday and bragged that all he threw the whole game was a cutter, and then described how he threw it, and we decided that he must have been using balls aerodynamically designed for his limp-wristed throwing style.

The Semifinal game pitted the Cobras against the Eagan Bandits. Playing one of their finest games of the year, the Cobras cruised 11-3 behind the play of Ryan Nelson who not only pitched 8 great innings, but also helped his own cause with 4 hits. Kevin Truax, Erik Quarberg, and Matt Borman each contributed 3 hits to the attack, and Mike Lenertz had 2. Borman also really wanted a 10 run rule game so Nelson wouldn't have to go pitch the inning after this coming inning, which was confusing, but he walked around yelling about it like the Sensei from "Karate Kid", so that part was cool.

The Championship Game was against Park National Foe the Metro Merchants. Sufficed to say, it didn't start well as Metro piled up 6 runs in the 1st without the benefit of a hit and never really looked back. The Cobras rallied to make it close, Mike Lenertz did a great job in relief, and Erik Quarberg hit a homerun that may have gone through the Left Field Fence, but the Cobras fell 12-9

Thanks again to those in Cannon Falls for putting on a great tournament. The Cobras will be back to league play Tuesday, with a game against the reigning Park National Champion Lyon's Pub.

**6/6**: Lippincott Drafted

Cobras Nation wants to give a big congratulations to former Cobra Bryan Lippincott who was drafted in the 19th round by the Washington Nationals today. Lippincott was a huge cog for the 2010 team, which finished 3rd in the State Tournament and one time he got about 43 hits in a row for the Snakes, or so it seemed. Best of luck to Bryan in his professional future.

6/5: Cobras Fall To Coon Rapids 10-3

Many baseball games can be said to have been lost in the 7th or 9th inning, the game vs. Coon Rapids was lost in the 1st.  

The Redbirds ran the score up to 10-0 before the Cobras even threatened to score.  If there are positives in this game its this: Cobras got a ton of at bats vs quality pitching, Cobras relievers threw 3.1 scoreless innings and Erik Quarberg continued his RBI streak.  John Wengenroth (Torn Meniscus / ACL damage) cheered on the squad from the bench, waving his pimp cane around in support.

The Cobras DL continues to grow as Matty Youngquist's quad forced him to leave the game early.  The Cobras look forward to everyone coming back from various business trips, illnesses, injury, weddings and babies.

The Cobras are off until Friday when they travel to the Cannon Falls Tournament.  First game is 8:30pm Friday vs Elko.

6/2-6/3: Cobras Go 2-1 In New Prague Tourney, Win Consolation Championship

The Cobras "Iron 10" made it's way down to the New Prague Invitational Tournament and after stumbling in their first game, took two on Sunday to win the Consolation Championship.

The first game pitted the Cobras vs. the Winona Chiefs.  The Cobras took a 1-0 lead in the 4th when J.E. Urseth scored on an errant throw by the pitcher on a Kevin Truax swinging bunt.  Unfortunately the lead would not hold...The Chiefs would score 8...that's right 8...runs in the 5th inning on a combination of walks, hit by pitches and Cobras errors.  Ultimately that would be enough for Winona to coast to a 9-5 victory.  Erik Quarberg hit a massive home run to left and flipped his bat half way to third base.  Urseth's father noted after the game that the pitch Quarberg hit was thrown in such a location that even he could have taken it deep.  Matty Germar was hit in the elbow with a pitch, causing massive profanities to be uttered and lots of ice to be applied.  Many Cobras ate away the pain of the loss at the local Pizza Ranch.

Sunday morning matched up the Cleveland Condors and the Cobras for a win or go home match up in the consolation bracket.  J.E. Urseth, backed by an especially angry Cobras offense, would throw a complete game shutout on "CG Shutout Sunday", the final was 10-0.  The Cobras scored 8 runs in the 3rd inning, redeeming the 8 run inning they had allowed the day before.  Matt Youngquist hit a 3 run double to left, showing untapped power.  Erik Quarberg would continue his hot hitting and had 3 RBI in the blowout.  The Condors never really threatened to score, scattering only 3 hits during the game.  Mason Reinhart was hit by a sniper on the grassy knoll, Mike Lenertz threw a ball terribly in an around the horn attempt and Ryan Nelson stole a base up 9 runs.   The Cobras went to The Flip Side bar and grill post game and enjoyed some O-Rings, broccoli bites, and sausage gravy.

The Consolation Championship (which is the 5th place game, not the 4th place game Lenny) was between the Cobras and the St. Benedict Saints.  Both teams walked off the field with only 2 outs during the contest (for different reasons), but the Cobras would walk off with the victory 9-2.  Matty Germar continued the "CG Shutout Sunday", minus the shutout, throwing all 7 innings, allowing 1 earned run, 4 hits and striking out 5.  The Cobras bats, fueled by some sausage gravy, came out hot with 5 runs in the first.  Erik Quarberg hit another double, scoring Mason Reinhart.  Matt Borman mashed a home run to right...and stood there for a while to watch it land in the New Prague Golf Course driving range.  The Cobras would score 3 runs in the second, and that would prove to be plenty of support for Germar.  Reinhart had 3 hits, Borman and Ryan Nelson had 2 and FNG Tyler Jegtvig hit a 2RBI double.  Quarberg (4-9 7RBI, HR) and Borman (4-10 5RBI, HR) were named to the all-tournament team.

While the Cobras were adding a Consolation Championship trophy to their trophy case, the Gossard family...finally...added another baby to their baby case.  We welcome little baby (Name TBD but it's a girl) Gossard to the Cobra family.

The Cobras face Coon Rapids Tuesday at 7:30pm.

5/31: Cobras Top Merchants 7-2, Move To 1-1 In League Play

The Cobras broke a 3 game losing streak Thursday and got their first league win of the season in the process, topping the Metro Merchants 7-2.

Billy Diaz was stellar, throwing 5.1 innings and only hitting 3 batters.  Kevin Truax relieved Diaz and issued his customary walk and single before striking out the last two batters of the inning.  Truax would finish the game with a 1-2-3 7th inning, the first of his career.

Erik Quarberg continued his hot hitting, driving in 3 runs on 2 hits.  Quarberg would open the scoring up in the 3rd inning slightly aided by a fly ball to center that was lost in the night sky, plating Ryan Nelson and Mason Reinhart.  Matt Borman pimped an RBI single shortly thereafter and it was 3-0.  The Cobras never really looked back and unlike the previous 3 games the Cobras got stronger as the game went on.  Several hard hit balls were "DeMarini'ed" and became outs.   Matty Germar showed up the umpire after a questionable strike call, then singled in a run in the 7th.  Mike Lenertz was assaulted by a "Scary Ass Moth" but rallied to smash a line drive single in his only at bat.  Kahtan was fined multiple times for asking dumb questions.  

The Cobras travel to New Prague, MN this weekend to participate in the 2012 New Prague Invitational Tournament.  The first game is 1pm on Saturday against the Winona Chiefs.  The Cobras will hope to add some hardware into their trophy case as Manager Rob Gossard and family hope to add another baby to their baby case.  Good luck Gossards.

5/30: Hopkins Shuts Down Cobras Offense 5-3

On a night where skipper Rob Gossard issued a "High Baby Alert", the Cobras bats fell asleep against a young Hopkins Berries squad.

FNG Garrett Harrison struck out 10 batters, while walking nearly as many, in what most would call an "effectively wild" start.  The young lefty was quoted as saying "I really need to work on pitching to contact."  Ryan Nelson would relieve Harrison after 5.2 innings of work and was much better at seeing signs this time.

Like many games previous the Cobras would score first...This time it was on a 2nd inning lead off home run by Erik Quarberg.  That momentum was quickly snuffed out as John Wengenroth's knee would explode around 3rd base later in the inning.  Helped off by his teammates, and attended to by the motherly athletic trainer Nelson, Wengy would cheer on the squad while dripping ice water into Mike Lenertz's bag on the bench.

Almost a repeat of the previous night, the Cobras were up 2-0 only for a brief period as the Berries would answer back with 3 runs in the bottom of the 2nd.  The Berries would tack on 2 more runs as the game progressed and the Cobras could not string hits together.  The game would end with a 5-3 score.

In the parking lot Wengy continued to ice his knee.  Kahtan was fined for being a terrible 3rd base coach and masterminding a "Book Fiasco".  Mason Reinhart was fined for a terrible throw so offline that catcher J.E. Urseth had to dig the ball out of the Cobras equipment bag.  Urseth was fined for numerous offenses related to his catching "performance".

The Cobras face the Metro Merchants Thursday, 8:30pm at Parade Stadium.

5/29: Cobras Win Snowball Fight, Lose To Angels 6-3

The 2012 Park National League season got off to a rough start as the Cobras dropped a tough one to league rival the Minneapolis Angels 6-3 Tuesday.  

The game started great for the Cobra Kai as veteran Matty Germar fist pumped through 5 scoreless innings.  The Cobras scored first on an Erik Quarberg double to right center, scoring Mason Reinhart from first base.  John Wengenroth would drive Quarberg in one batter later with an RBI ground out.  The score was 2-0 Cobras after 5 full innings.

The rest of the game would not be so kind to the Cobras, as the Angels would score 5 in the top of the 6th inning.  The Angels rally was highlighted by a single to center that ended up a (8-1-6-1-E1-7-5) 2-run scoring play due to a botched rundown and a ball thrown into left field.  The next Angels batter would hit a double down the 3rd base line and the 2-0 lead the Cobras once had was now a 3-2 deficit.  Cobras relievers struggled throwing strikes and walked in the last 3 Angels runs.

In the parking lot the Cobras were in mid-season form.  Ryan Nelson and Matt Borman were fined for prematurely warming up in their positions before the game.  J.E. Urseth was fined for helping the Pub and attempted to filibuster the court with a really long defense.  Matt Youngquist was fined for wearing Rocks gear in the lot, while his baby girl skated for the same offense.  Wengenroth skated for having a "midnight blue belt", then referred to it as black later.  Quarberg was fined for asking if Kahtans upcoming surgery was on May 19th, and he got very angry as a result but didn't have a beer in hand to throw.

The Cobras hope to get back on track vs the Hopkins Berries on Wednesday, 8:15pm at Big Willow in Hopkins.  There could be a new Gossard in the family any day now, a baby baby.  Cobras nation awaits...

5/20: Cobras Fall To St. Louis Park 5-1

On a cool Sunday evening the Cobras faced off with perennial state contender St. Louis Park.  Billy Diaz was sharp on the hill going 5.2 innings, featuring a sneaky fast fastball that causes opposing hitters to fall down while swinging.  The Cobras went up 1-0 in the top of the 5th on an RBI ground out by J.E. Urseth scoring John Wengenroth who had crushed a lead off double earlier in the inning.  Park would answer back with a 5 run bottom of the 6th, taking advantage of a couple walks and a timely home run.  That would prove to be all they needed as the two Park pitchers would combine to shut down the Cobras bats for the remainder.

Ryan Nelson pitched 2.1 innings in relief and had trouble seeing the signs no matter how obvious they were.  Nelson also attempted to fall down while swinging but managed to only lose his helmet in the process.  Matt Youngquist began a new hitting streak, despite his fatigue from playing latin ball earlier in the day.  Matt Borman casually took first pitches of at bats all night, looking fairly disinterested at curves in the dirt.  Mike Lenertz made a nice basket catch in foul territory despite being interfered with by a Coleman lawn chair.

Happy Birthday to Ryan Nelsons father, who took about 600 pictures at the game, we will attempt to get some of those on the site.  The Cobras next game is Wednesday at Eagan, game time is 7pm.

5/18: Cobras Travel To "The Field Of Lights", Light up Scoreboard vs NWS

The Cobras traveled to the historic "Lighted Ball Field" Friday night and proceeded to light up the non-operational scoreboard, beating the NWS Redhawks 14-3.  Veteran Matty Germar was sharp in 6 innings of work on the hill thanks to some effective, yet questionably intimate, pregame stretching by teammate Ryan Nelson.  NWS hitters were in awe of the always colorful Germar, who was "putting everything he had into pitches".  In the 5th inning Germar threw 4 pitches, and Rob Gossard "JE'd" the only ball that got to him and was fined accordingly.

Matt Borman crushed a 3 run home run in the 6th inning, the Cobras first home run of the year.  With the absence of Mason Reinhart at the game, Borman did an equally slow jog around the bases in his honor. Gossard hit a scorching double early in the game, and was thrown out by 5 feet attempting to steal 3rd even though he got a "great jump".  Erik Quarberg and John Wengenroth hit long doubles and Matt Youngquist had a magical 0-0, 5 BB day at the plate despite taking furious hacks at neckballs in order to "extend his hitting streak".

After the game there were a flurry of fines, most were pointed at Mike Lenertz who at one point during the game forgot to wear a helmet in the on deck circle.  The Cobras next game is Sunday at Big Willow vs St. Louis Park, game time is 8pm. 

5/15: Cobras Lose to Tiny Strike Zone and Vics

The Cobras dropped a tough game to Victoria 10-3 Tuesday, on a night where the zone was small and the moths were gigantic. Garrett Harrison pitched well in his Cobras debut, allowing 3 hits in 4 innings to a team stocked with good hitters. Mason Reinhart and Ryan Nelson had 2 hits for the Cobras, and Ben Schroeder battled through 4 innings in his 2012 debut. Then there was some postgame fun in the pitch dark, illuminated by Erik Quarberg's extremely bright cell phone, and more moths. Cobras will be off until Friday, when they play the NWS Redhawks, at something called New Hope Lighted Field, which is appropriate considering it's in New Hope, and has lights.

5/12: Cobras Take Two from Saints and Mudhens

In the 43rd annual "McMurray Triangular", the Cobras won a pair on Saturday beating the TC Saints 12-11, and then taking out the St Paul Mudhens 7-2 in the nightcap.

Game 1: The Cobras pounded out 14 hits including several doubles, but also gave up too many walks and committed 5 errors. The Saints weren't much better and the game took about 3 hours as a result. With the Cobras down to their last out trailing 10-8 in the 7th, Matt Borman lifted a deep fly ball to left field that the left fielder took a bizarre angle on. The ball dropped for a double and the score was tied. The next batter, Mason Reinhart, then doubled to right field scoring Borman, and Erik Quarberg singled home Reinhart to complete the scoring. The Saints made things interesting in the bottom of the inning, but Kevin Truax came in and shut the door. Mike Lenertz got the win in relief of Billy Diaz, who pitched 3+ innings in his 2012 debut, and hit a guy right in the head, which is sort of his M.O.

Game 2: John Wengenroth pitched 5 quick innings in a game that was a lot more crisp than the previous game, as the Cobras won 7-2. Matty Germar, Ryan Nelson, and Matt Youngquist had a good amount of hits for the Snakes and the rest of the team hit pretty well too. J.E. Urseth pitched 2 quality innings to finish up the game. The game was also highlighted by the unbelievably strange play in the 4th inning. With the bases loaded, nobody out, and a full count, Brian Jensen foolishly check swung at a pitch up near his eyes. The ball spun foul, but then hit a chunk of dirt and came back into fair territory. Jensen panicked and tripped over himself landing in the opposing batter's box. He then got up and started to run. The Mudhen First Baseman, similarly panicking, picked up the ball and whipped it right into Jensen's arm from about 5 feet away. Nobody knew what to do. Eventually Jensen was out at first, a run scored, and everybody moved up a base. Sacrifice.

Cobras are off until Tuesday when they will travel to Victoria to take on the Vics at 7:30.

5/10: Sport & Spine Trips Cobras

The Cobras lost 4-3 last night to Sport and Spine in a close game with some questionable umpiring. The Sport and Spine pitcher was in midseason form, striking out 12 Cobras, who were still showing some early season rust at the plate. Ryan Nelson was effective again for the Snakes, throwing 4 innings and working out of several jams. Erik Quarberg had 2 hits for the Cobras, and Matt Borman was on base all 3 times before leaving with a hand laceration. Sport and Spine took the lead for good on a 3 run homerun in the 5th, and the Cobras were unable to answer, stranding a runner at 3rd in the 7th. Next up, a doubleheader with the TC Saints and St Paul Mudhens on Saturday at Noon at McMurray Field in St Paul.

5/5: Cobras take down Bandits in opener

The Minneapolis Cobras opened the season in fine style, defeating the East Bethel Bandits 9-0 in a game shortened to 4 innings. The Cobras came out firing on all cylinders as nearly every player recorded a hit in this rain shortened game. The Cobras tallied 10 hits, including 2 by John Wengenroth, and doubles by Erik Quarberg and Mason Reinhart. New Cobra Ryan Nelson was dominant on the mound, throwing 4 innings and allowing only 1 hit while striking out 4, while other newbies Matt Youngquist and Matt Borman contributed with a couple hits and 3 stolen bases. Then the rains came and wiped out the rest of this game. Many thanks to the Bandits. Cobras will be off until Thursday when they face St Paul's own Sport & Spine, at 6:15 at Dunning Field. See you there.

5/3: The 2012 Season begins in 2 days and the Cobras are anxious to put behind them a 2011 season that can only be described as disappointing. With several new faces dotting the lineup and the mound, the Cobras are looking to regain the mojo that helped them get deep into the State Tournament in 2010. It all starts with the East Bethel Bandits on Saturday, 2:00 at St Francis High School for all you Cobra fans.