Scoring all their runs in a bunch, the Maple Lake Lakers ended weekend action on Sunday, May 21, with a 5-4 victory over the Hinckley Knights at Irish Stadium. Eleven men went to the plate in a marathon fourth inning. With the Lakers trailing 2-0, Chad Raiche led off the hit parade with a single and was followed by Keith Jerpseth’s one bagger, Tyler Decker’s RBI double, a walk to Todd Fuller to load the bases, and Bob Fobbe’s sacrifice fly for another run. After a strikeout, Marcus Zahn drove in one more. After Darin Decker singled, Nate Johnson lined one to right field for the final two Laker RBIs. Todd DeMarais started on the mound, going three innings and yielding two runs on three hits, a walk and a hit batter. He was relieved by Tyler Decker, who picked up the win, although he gave up two Hinckley runs. Chad Raiche shut down the Knights in the final three innings, striking out three batters and limiting them to two hits and a walk to earn his first save of the season. Tyler Decker was three for four with a double, and Marcus Zahn had two hits. The next Laker action will be a non-league game on Friday night, May 26, against the Melrose (Freeport) Black Sox at 7:30. — Don’s Details: The Lakers pounded out 11 hits but only one for extra bases against the Knights. Both teams stranded nine runners. The Knights and Lakers may meet later in the season when the Lakers travel to the Hinckley tournament on Friday through Sunday, June 23-25. Craig Fobbe is showing exceptional speed and great range in right field with the ability to get to the foul line for big catches. Minnetonka players talked after their game about the great atmosphere of Irish Stadium. Darin and Cody Decker have joined the Lakers now that their season at Fergus Falls Community College has ended with the Spartans finishing second in the community college tournament. The Lakers have nearly filled out their roster with the addition of Mike Boxell and Sam Marsnik from the Annandale Cardinals high school squad. Hinckley 0 0 2 0 1 1 0 0 0 4R, 8H, 2E Lakers 0 0 0 5 0 0 0 0 x 5R, 11H, 2E Hinckley: Truett Kroeschell (L) and Ron Brant Lakers: Todd DeMarais, Tyler Decker (4W) Chad Raiche (7 Save) and Keith Jerpseth Minnetonka Millers edge Lakers On Friday night, May 19, with game time temperature at 61 degrees, the strong Class A Minnetonka Millers utilized a pair of two- run homers to edge the Lakers 8-7 at Irish Stadium. Right hander John Anderson went the route against the Millers, a team loaded with former college and minor league players. Three Minnetonka runs were unearned. After a two-game hitting drought, the Lakers outhit Minnetonka 12-8. Darin Decker and Keith Jerpseth each had three hits and an RBI. Tyler Decker added two hits and drove in a run. Craig Fobbe forced in a run with bases loaded for the only other RBI. Every player but one in the starting lineup had a hit, but the Lakers left 13 runners on base. Tony Richards and Jay Mikenas had the big blasts for the Millers. The Lakers hit well against former minor league pitcher lefty Dave Bingham. Manager Jerpseth was quick to praise John Anderson’s effort after the game. He also complimented the entire team for battling back after a disastrous fifth inning, when the Millers scored four runs, three unearned after a dropped fly ball. Minnetonka 0 0 2 0 4 0 0 2 0 8R, 8H, 1E Lakers 1 0 0 2 2 2 0 0 0 7R, 12H, 2E Minnetonka: Dave Bingham, Mark Young (6), Derek Mason (8 W) and Tony Richards Lakers: John Anderson (L) and Keith Jerpseth St. Cloud Orthopedic Ice 5, Lakers 2 The strong pitching arms of Paul Eich and Andy Auger struck out seven and held the Lakers to four hits. Todd DeMarais pitched just as well against last year’s Region 10C champions and State Tournament participants. In his longest mound appearance of the season, the crafty veteran was tough in the clutch and limited the Ice to one run in six innings. Darin Decker and Keith Jerpseth scored unearned runs in the first for the only Laker scores. Decker had two of Maple Lake’s hits. St. Cloud 0 0 0 01 0 3 1 0 5R 12H 2E Maple Lake 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2R 4H 2E St. Cloud: Paul Eich, Andy Auger (6, W) and Brian Mathiason Maple Lake: Todd Demarais, Craig Fobbe (7,L), Bob Fobbe 9, and Keith Jerpseth
