The St. Croix Falls Saints took on the Amery Warriors in WIAA DII Regional action Friday afternoon, the day the SCF seniors graduate. The Saints held the #3 seed (8-1 in conf.) in this region and was host to the Warriors (5-9 in conf.) the #6 seed. There was a large crowd for the event, as many classes were excused to watch, attendance reached over 250 at some points of the game. Both the Saints and the Warriors were very chipper at the onset of the game, both teams standing in the dugout when their team were at bat, cheering their teammates on.
The first inning went off without a hitch as SCF SP Will Ball (senior) was dealing and throwing heat. Amery SP Kurt Gehrman (junior) matched Ball's output, setting down the first 3 batters he faced. The second and third innings also had little drama. Amery was able to get a two out opposite field double from RF Kyle Schultz in the 2nd, before Ball induced a tapper back to the mound from CF Carl Lee. Ball walked the first batter of the third inning, DH Carson Rimstad, on a full count, which was followed by a nice sac bunt by LF Sam Less. Ball got out of the inning unscathed by getting a groundout to 2nd baseman Cory Gebhard, followed by a infield fly also to the 2B Gebhard.
The Saints went down quietly in the 2nd inning as Gehrman really started showcasing his curveball, and finally got their first hit in the bottom of the 3rd by #9 hitter and LF Sam Schmidt, who push bunted down the third base side and reached first with two outs. Schmidt was then able to steal 2nd base on the next pitch. Lead-off man Nick Johnson hit a ground ball to third base, but couldn't outrun the throw, and was the third out of the inning.
The Warriors started the 4th inning with a bang, C Steve Bielmeier hit a 0-1 pitch deep to left center field and CF Nick Johnson ran out of real estate as the ball carried over the fence for a homerun. Ball kept his composure and finished off the rest of inning without allowing a baserunner, and breaking out a nasty changeup that had hitters fooled.
The fifth inning was another scoring opportunity for the Saints. An error allowed RF Josh Larcom to reach 1b, again with two outs. Larcom was able to steal 2B, getting himself into scoring position. 1B Marcus Campbell was able to draw the count full, but couldn't make contact with the 3-2 fastball, ending the 5th inning.
There were two goofy plays in the top of the sixth inning with the Warriors at bat. SS Joe Rubenzer hit a one-out double down the line past 3B Ben Anderson and "hopping" over LF Sam Schmidt. The ball however, veered over into foul territory after passing 3B, and got so far as running into the softball fence (which is behind the baseball field fence - which only spans the fair territory), and by rule results in a dead ball - ground rule double. Thus when the ball hit the fence Schmidt raised his arms indicating ground-rule double but the umpires did not react. It was not until Rubenzer had crossed the plate for a possible inside the park homerun and SCF Coach Paul Randolph blazed out of the dugout pleading his case to the home plate umpire about the ground rules, that any action was taken. The umpire agreed with Coach Randolph and Rubenzer was forced to go back to 2nd base, causing Amery coach Matt Petterson to rumble out from his 3rd base box. Petterson made his agrument but the ruling stood. Rubenzer was able to steal 3B on C Gus Koecher, who had already thrown out a baserunner stealing 2nd, getting himself into scoring range with a sac fly. However, C Steve Bielmeier struck out on an 0-2 curveball in the dirt. Koecher was not able to make the tag, so he looked back Rubenzer at third and threw down to 1B for the out. When Koecher threw the ball, Rubenzer broke home, attempting to score. 1B Marcus Campbell caught the ball and quickly snapped it back to Koecher at home, who had completely blocked the plate, and tagged out Rubenzer at the plate for the third out in front of a frenzied crowd.
The 6th inning prooved no better for the Saints. The Saints CF Nick Johnson took first base after being hit by a pitch with 1 out. Everyone on the Saints and Warriors bench knew that Johnson was going to steal 2B, so Warriors P Gehrman threw over to first base twice to keep Johnson close. Johnson took an even bigger lead at first, and unexpectedly Gehrman threw over again, this time a little quickly, and was able to pick of Johnson at first base, cutting the Saints threat off at the knees. 2B Cory Gebhard smacked the first pitch he saw to deep left field, however Amery LF Sam Less made a great leaping - awkward - over the shoulder grab to end the inning.
Will Ball came back out for the 7th inning, getting 3 more quick outs, after an error by the infield. Ball finished the day with 7 IP giving up only 2 hits and walking 1 while striking out 5.
I was more than impressed with Ball's changeup which really buckled the opposing batters knees. Ball hadn't pitched in a few weeks due to arm troubles and thus his speed was a little down in the early innings. Ball stayed mostly away from his curveball, and even when he threw it, he could rarely get it over for a strike. Ball, though, was by far the most outstanding Saints player of the game.
The Saints entered the bottom of the 7th inning down 1-0 with their 3-4-5 hitters due up: Vold, Koecher, Ball. Spirits were high in the Saints dugout who still believed they could pull this victory off and advance in the playoffs for the first time since 2001. 2nd Team All-Middle Border Conference P Kurt Gehrman was still pitching for the Warriors and started with 3 straight curveballs to SS Matt Vold who looked at one, missed on another, and fouled the last one off. Gehrman came back with a fastball that painted the outside corner, and Vold was down on strikes. C Gus Koecher took the first pitch he saw and slapped it into play. Koecher wasn't able to get all of the ball, grounding it to SS Joe Rubenzer, who fielded it cleanly and the throw beat the speedy Koecher to 1B. With two outs and the season on the line P Will Ball came to the plate. Ball was able to draw a full count after falling behind 1-2. Gehrman challenged Ball with a 3-2 fastball the was just above the numbers. Ball bit on the pitch and could not catch up, striking out to end the game.
Congratulations to the Amery Warriors who will be advancing to the 2nd round of the regionals. Also congrats to the St. Croix Falls Saints who did in their conference this season and played a great season. I know that the Saints are disappointed with their finish this season, but they played a great game against a 1-pitcher team in this season's Amery Warriors. All the credit to P's Will Ball and Kurt Gehrman who combined to give up only 3 hits, 1 walk, and 1 hbp. The game was played in about 70 minutes, the fastest 7 inning game I have been to. Thanks again Saints for the great season, I hope to cover you more next year.
BOXSCORE
Warriors: 000 100 00 : 1 2 1
Saints.....: 000 000 00 : 0 1 2
SAINTS
CF Nick Johnson 0-2, HBP, CS, K
2B Cory Gebhard 0-3, K
SS Matt Vold 0-3, K
C Gus Koecher 0-3, K
P Will Ball 0-3, 2K
3B Ben Anderson 0-2
RF Josh Larcom 0-2, SB, K
1B Marcus Campbell 0-2, K
LF Sam Schmidt 1-2, K
LP - Will Ball 7IP, 2H, 1R, 1ER, 1BB, 5K
Warriors
2B Jared Nelson 0-3
SS Joe Rubenzer 1-3, SB, K
C Steve Bielmeier 1-3, HR, K
3B Brock Levin 0-3
P Kurt Gehrman 0-3, K
RF Kyle Schultz 1-3, 2K
CF Carl Lee 0-2
CF Larson 0-1
DH Carson Rimstad 0-1, BB,
LF Sam Less 0-1, sac bunt, CS
WP Kurt Gehrman: 7IP, 1H, 0R, 0ER, 0BB, 9K, 1HBP
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