Milaca trips Princeton in first round of playoffs
Posted 7/24/03

Milaca tipped Princeton 4-3 in the opening round of the North District 10 Legion Playoffs Monday night at Princeton.

The win advanced Milaca to the second round of the playoffs while Princeton was eliminated from the 10-team playoffs. Milaca was scheduled to begin a best-of-three series against Chisago Lakes Tuesday night at Chisago Lakes. The second game was scheduled at Milaca Wednesday night, with the third game, if necessary, tonight (Thursday) at Chisago Lakes at 6:30.

Milaca, seeded No. 10 in the 10-team playoff, lost to seventh-seeded Princeton 10-6 July 2 at Princeton.

Milaca's win over Princeton Monday may have surprised many area Legion fans.

It didn't surprise Milaca Coach Keith Anderson, however.

"Even though our regular-season record (3-12) wasn't very good I felt we could make a good showing in the playoffs," said Anderson. "I think our players felt the same way.

"Most of our losses during the season were close and, had a few plays went the other way or had we gotten another key hit or not made a big error, our record could've been better. We went into Monday's game with a very good attitude."

Milaca ace Joe Barrett pitched the distance in Monday's win at Princeton. The right-hander allowed seven hits and just one walk while striking out 10 over nine innings. Just one of Princeton's runs was earned.

Regular-season games were seven innings while games in the playoffs are nine innings.

"Joe pitched another great game," said Anderson. "And, we supported him with timely hitting and defense.

"I felt Princeton also played a great game."

After Princeton took a 1-0 lead on Ryan Kotnik's home run in the bottom of the second inning, Milaca tied the score with a run in the fourth inning.

Nate Roehl laced a one-out double, then moved to third on a single by Derrick Fetters. Roehl scored when Jayme West hit into a fielder's choice.

Milaca scored three runs in the sixth inning.

Roehl reached base on an error, then moved to second when Fetters drew a walk. Josh Loeger- ing singled to load the bases All three runners then scored on a double to deep left field by Dominic Ruis.

Princeton scored a pair of unearned runs in the eighth inning.

Matt Bergmann pitched the distance for Princeton, allowing nine hits and three walks while striking our eight. Three of Milaca's runs were earned.

Ruis, Loegering, Roehl, Ben Johnson and Naumann cracked doubles while Barrett and Loegering both were 2-for-3.

Princeton finished with a 6-11 record.

In regular-season games last week, Milaca topped Braham 4-1 Tuesday, July 15, at Milaca before losing to regular-season league champion Mora 3-0 Wednesday, July 16, at Milaca. Hinckley edged Milaca 3-2 Thursday, July 17, at Hinckley.

Milaca 4, Braham 1

Trailing 1-0, Milaca scored twice in the bottom of the fourth inning before adding a pair of runs in the sixth.

Barrett pitched the distance, allowing one hit and one walk while fanning five over seven innings. He hit two batters.

Tony Thompson went 2-3 to lead Milaca's eight-hit attack.

Mora 3, Milaca 0

Mora ace right-hander Josh Oslin blanked Milaca on one hit. He struck out 12 but walked six over seven innings.

"Oslin threw hard and was just too much for us," said Anderson. "He's a fine pitcher. We hit some balls hard but they were right at someone."

Barrett singled to accounted for Milaca's lone hit.

Loegering pitched the first three innings, allowing five hits, four walks and three earned runs.

Johnson pitched the final four innings, allowing no hits and two walks while striking out four.

Hinckley 3, Milaca 2

Milaca took a 2-0 lead with two runs in the third inning before Hinckley rallied with a run in the fourth and two in the fifth inning.

West, Fetters, Loegering, Thompson and Ryan Reichow each had a single.

Naumann brought home one of Milaca's runs with a suicide squeeze bunt.

Thompson pitched five innings, allowing five hits and two walks while striking out three. Reichow pitched one inning, allowing two walks and no hits.