Yearbook V0.24

2008 Springfield Tigers Results Date

Opponent

Location

Time

Result

Sunday, April 27

Mountain Lake

Springfield

2:00 pm

Sunday, May 4

Lamberton

Springfield

2:00 pm

L, 13-4

League

Saturday, May 10

Milroy

Milroy

7:30 pm

rain-out

Exhibition

Sunday, May 11

Essig

Essig

2:00 pm

L, 5-4

League

Saturday, May 17

Fairfax

Fairfax

3:00 pm

W, 8-5

Exhibition

Sunday, May 18

St. James

St. James

2:00 pm

W, 11-4

League

Friday, May 23

Sleepy Eye

Springfield

8:00 pm

L, 11-1

League

Sunday, May 25

Stark

Springfield

7:30 pm

W, 12-2

League

Monday, May 26

Gibbon

Springfield

2:00 pm

W, 4-2

League

Friday, May 30

Lamberton

Lamberton

8:00 pm

L, 4-3

League

Sunday, June 1

Hanska

Hanska

2:00 pm

W, 2-0

League

Wednesday, June 4

Leavenworth

Leavenworth

8:00 pm

L, 1-0

League

Saturday, June 7

Winsted

St. Stephen

12:15 pm

L, 5-1

Omann Insurance Invitational

Saturday, June 7

St. Martin

St. Stephen

4:30 pm

L, 9-0

Omann Insurance Invitational

Sunday, June 8

Sartell

Sartell

11:00 am

L, 8-0

Omann Insurance Invitational

Saturday, June 14

Gibbon

Gibbon

3:00 pm

W, 8-7

League

Sunday, June 15

Searles

Springfield

7:30 pm

W, 7-6

League

Wednesday, June 18

Essig

Springfield

8:00 pm

W, 5-4

League

Friday, June 20

Hanska

Springfield

8:00 pm

L, 2-0

League

Sunday, June 22

Sleepy Eye

Sleepy Eye

2:00 pm

L, 3-2

League

Friday, June 27

St. James

Springfield

8:00 pm

W, 7-5

League

Sunday, June 29

New Ulm

Springfield

8:00 pm

W, 11-0

League

Wednesday, July 2

Redwood Falls

Springfield

8:00 pm

W, 4-3

League

Monday, July 7

Redwood Falls

Redwood Falls

8:30 pm

W, 2-1

League

Scrimmage

Wednesday, July 9

Leavenworth

Springfield

8:00 pm

L, 5-3

League

Friday, July 11

New Ulm

New Ulm

8:00 pm

L, 9-2

League

Sunday, July 13

Searles

Searles

2:00 pm

W, 3-2

League

Sunday, July 13

Stark

Stark

6:30 pm

W, 6-2

League

Friday, July 25

Searles

Springfield

8:00 pm

L, 3-2

Playoffs - R2

Sunday, July 27

Searles

Hanska

2:00 pm

W, 9-3

Playoffs - R2

Tuesday, July 29

Searles

Springfield

8:00 pm

L, 5-3

Playoffs - R2

Record Overall

W 15

L 14

Per. 0.517

League

13

9

0.591

Playoffs

1

2

0.333

Home

7

6

0.538

Road

8

8

0.500

Day

6

6

0.500 0.529

Night

9

8

Total Runs <5

2

2

0.500

Total Runs 5-10

5

9

0.357

Total Runs 11-15

8

2

0.800

Total Runs >15

0

1

0.000

One Run Games

6

5

0.545

Extra Innings

0

1

0.000

Long Eighth the Difference as Tigers Drop Opener 5/4/08 The Springfield Tigers opened their 2008 season at Riverside Park facing their rival Lamberton Long Sox. It was a well played game for both teams, except for the top of the eighth inning in which the Long Sox batted 15 and the wheels just plain fell off for Springfield. A highlight for the home team was a long home run by Dave Groebner in his first game for the Tigers since 1999. The Long Sox were first on the board in the top of the third inning, taking advantage of a lead-off walk, a sacrifice bunt and three straight singles to plate two runs and take a 2-0 lead. Colby Pack started on the mound for Lamberton and held the Tigers hitless until the bottom of the fourth. Adam Beers led off with a base hit. Brady Schwab followed with a single before Groebner launched a blast over the right field fence for a three-run homer, giving Springfield the lead 3-2. The Tigers extended the lead in their half of the fifth. Bob Fink got on with a one-out single. Schwab came through with another hit. This time a triple to right-center, plating Fink and pushing the Tiger tally to 4. Matt Tews kept the score at 4-2 through six innings. Andy Neidt came on to pitch in the top of the seventh and surrendered two runs on two Long Sox hits and a hit batter. Springfield had an opportunity to break the 4-4 tie in the bottom of the inning when Marty Brandl led off with a double. Fink followed with a single. Schwab was intentionally walked to load the bases with one out setting up the double-play. Lamberton was able to get out of the inning getting Groebner and Tews for the final two outs ending the Tiger scoring opportunity. Things got crazy in the Lamberton eighth. They batted ten before the first out was recorded. Neidt faced four batters before giving way to Jesse Berg. The Long Sox took advantage of five walks and a hit batter, combined with five hits to plate 9 runs pushing the score to 13-4, which was the final. Andy Neidt took the loss in his Springfield mound debut. The Tigers will look to build on the positives from the opener and return to action next weekend with a pair of games. Saturday night they travel to Milroy to take on the Yankees in an exhibition game. Then they'll head over to Essig for a Mother's Day match up against the Bluejays. Linescore

Lamberton Springfield

1 0 0

2 0 0

3 2 0

4 0 3

5 0 1

6 0 0

7 2 0

8 9 0

9 R H 0 13 15 0 4 9

Springfield Box

Fink, RF Beers, LF Schwab, 2B/3B Groebner, DH Neidt, 1B/P Tews, P/1B/2B C. Sturm, CF Krebs, CF Berg, 3B/P Haseleu, SS C. Moritz, C Brandl, PH

Tews Neidt (L, 0-1) Berg

AB 5 5 3 3 3 3 3 4 3 1 33

R 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 4

H RBI 2 0 1 0 2 1 1 3 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 9 4

BB 0 0 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 3

SO 0 2 1 1 0 1 1 0 1 0 7

IP 6 1 2

H 8 3 4

R 2 6 5

BB 1 3 2

SO 5 0 1

ER 2 6 4

3B HR HP

SAC

2B

E LOB 0 11 2 7

Bluejays Score Three in Bottom of Ninth to Top Tigers 5/11/08 Springfield traveled to Essig on Sunday afternoon for a Mother's Day match-up against the Essig Bluejays. The Tigers were scheduled to play an exhibition game in Milroy on Saturday, but the game was canceled due to rain. Matt Baier and Brandon Wilhelmi returned to the lineup after finishing their college baseball seasons during the past week. Matt Tews made his second start in the young season. Essig started the scoring in the bottom of the third when they bunched together a two-out walk, a base hit and a double to take a 1-0 lead. The Bluejays extended their lead in the bottom of the sixth with two hits and the help of a Tiger error. Brent Haseleu started the top of the seventh with a bunt single. Baier and Bob Fink drew walks to load the bases with two outs. Chris Sturm gave the Tigers the lead when he smashed a triple to deep center field, clearing the bases, and making the score 3-2. Essig threatened, getting a one-out double in both the seventh and eighth innings, but were unable to plate any additional runs off of Tews. Marty Brandl started the Tiger half of the ninth with a pinch-hit single. Baier reached base on a Bluejay error while attempting a sacrifice bunt. Fink came through with a clutch one-out double to give Springfield a two run lead. Wilhelmi came on in relief of Tews in the bottom of the ninth. A Springfield error got the ball rolling for the Bluejays. Four out of the next five Essig batters reached with base-hits. With two outs, the winning run came around to score on a close play at the plate giving the Bluejays the win, 5-4. Brandon Wilhelmi was the losing pitcher for Springfield. Wilhelmi and the Tigers will look to get into the win column next weekend. Saturday afternoon they travel to Fairfax to take on the Cardinals in an exhibition game. Sunday they will continue Tomahawk East League play with a contest in St. James.

Linescore

Springfield Essig

1 0 0

2 0 0

3 0 1

4 0 0

5 0 0

6 0 1

7 3 0

8 0 0

9 1 3

R H 4 10 5 13

Springfield Box

Baier, 3B Beers, RF Fink, DH/C Neidt, 1B C. Sturm, LF Tews, P/1B B. Wilhelmi, C/P Diede, 2B Haseleu, SS C. Moritz, CF Brandl, PH

Tews Wilhelmi (L, 0-1)

AB 3 4 4 5 5 4 4 3 3 1 36

R 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 4

IP 8 2/3

H 9 4

H RBI 0 0 1 0 1 1 1 3 2 0 3 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 10 4 R 2 3

ER 1 1

BB 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 3

SO 2 1 0 2 2 0 2 0 2 0 11

BB 1 0

SO 9 0

SAC HP 2B 3B 2B

E LOB 3 10 1 11

Springfield Overcomes Early Errors to Defeat Fairfax 5/17/08 It was a breezy, sunny mid-May Saturday afternoon as the Tigers traveled to Fairfax to battle the Cardinals. Things didn't start out too well defensively as Springfield committed four errors in the first four innings, but even after digging the early hole, "give-up" was not in the Tiger vocabulary. Ryan Sturm made his first appearance of the season after finishing up his college baseball career at St. Cloud State University. Jake Miesen took the hill for the visitors and surrendered single runs in each of the first four innings. Only two of the four runs were earned due to the four errors in those first four frames. Springfield got on the scoreboard in the top of the third. Miesen was hit by a pitch and Andy Neidt reached on an error. Brandon Wilhelmi moved the runners to second and third with a sacrifice bunt. Sturm came through with a two-out single to plate two, making the score 3-2. The Tigers got their third run of the game in the fifth with a couple two-out hits. Brent Haseleu reached on a single and Sturm followed with a blast over the centerfielder's head for a triple. Springfield tied the game at four in their half of the sixth when Matt Baier led off with a single. Marty Brandl moved him up with a sacrifice bunt. Bryant Krebs hit a single moving Baier to third. Then Miesen helped himself out by laying down a great squeeze bunt. The Tigers took the lead in the top of the seventh, taking advantage of two batters being hit by pitches and base hits by Haseleu and Bob Fink. Miesen settled in to allow just two hits during his final three innings of work, leaving the game after seven innings with a 6-4 lead. Neidt entered the game in the bottom of the eighth and retired the side in order. Springfield picked up a couple insurance runs in the top of the ninth. Wilhelmi started things with a double. Sturm drew a one-out walk. Fink drove in two more runs with a big double, pushing the lead to four, 8-4. Neidt allowed a single run in the bottom of the ninth, but earned a save since he had entered the game with just a two-run lead. Miesen notched his first win of the young season. The Tigers will get right back at it tomorrow afternoon, continuing their league schedule with a 2pm contest in St. James. The A's come into the game with a 2-0 record. Springfield will look to hand them their first loss and earn their first win in league play during the 2008 season. We'll see you at the ballpark! Linescore

Springfield Fairfax

1 0 1

2 0 1

3 2 1

4 0 1

5 1 0

6 1 0

7 2 0

8 0 0

9 2 1

R H 8 11 5 11

E LOB 4 8 1 12

Springfield Box

Wilhelmi, C/CF Haseleu, 2B R. Sturm, 3B Fink, DH/C C. Moritz, CF Baier, SS Brandl, RF Krebs, LF Miesen, P/1B Neidt, 1B/P

Miesen (W, 1-0) Neidt, (SV, 1)

AB 3 5 3 5 4 4 5 2 4 35

R 2 2 1 0 1 0 0 1 1 8

IP 7 2

H 10 1

H RBI 1 0 2 0 2 3 2 3 2 0 1 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 11 7 R 4 1

ER 2 1

BB 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 2

SO 0 1 0 1 0 0 1 1 0 4

BB 2 1

SO 7 0

SAC, HP 3B, HP 2B 3B SAC HP, SAC

Tigers Notch First Tomahawk East League Win of the Season 5/18/08 Springfield made the trip to St. James on a beautiful Sunday afternoon for a ball game, resuming their Tomahawk East League schedule. Brandon Wilhelmi took the mound for the Tigers. Five St. James errors helped the Tigers cruise to an 11-4 win. The Tigers started the scoring in the top of the first, taking advantage of an A's error and a double by Ryan Sturm to make the score 2-0 after the first half inning. The A's picked up an unearned run in the bottom of the second to cut the Springfield lead to one. The visitors scored their third run in the top of the fourth when Bob Fink led off with a single. Fink moved up to second on a sacrifice bunt by Adam Beers. Jon Diede came through with a clutch two-out single to make the score 3-1. In the Springfield half of the fifth inning, Brady Schwab started things with a double to deep right-center field. The Tigers didn't get another hit in the inning, but were able to plate four runs thanks to a walk, hit batter, and three St. James errors. Wilhelmi battled through a tough bottom of the inning, surrendering a run on two hits and one Springfield error. Schwab again started the inning in the sixth by reaching base after being hit by a pitch. Sturm followed with a single. Matt Baier advanced the runners with a nice sac bunt. Schwab came in to score on a wild pitch, giving the Tigers a six run lead, 8-2. Diede came on in relief in the bottom of the sixth and allowed two runs on six hits over the final four frames. Springfield scored two additional runs in the eighth and a one run in the top of the ninth, resulting in the final, 11-4. Brandon Wilhelmi picked up the win, going the first five innings, allowing just three hits and one earned run. Jon Diede earned his first save of the season, a rare four inning variety, as he finished things up for the Tigers. Springfield evened their overall record at 2-2 on the season with the win. The Tigers' first game under the lights at Riverside Park will take place on Friday when the Sleepy Eye Indians come to town. It'll be a busy baseball weekend with games scheduled for Friday, Sunday, and Monday of the Memorial Day holiday weekend. Linescore

Springfield St. James

1 2 0

2 0 1

3 0 0

4 1 0

5 4 1

6 1 0

7 0 1

8 2 1

9 R 1 11 0 4

H 9 9

E LOB 1 11 5 11

Springfield Box

Wilhelmi, P/C Schwab, 2B R. Sturm, 1B Baier, 3B Groebner, DH Miesen, C C. Moritz, CF/PR

Fink, RF Brandl, RF Beers, LF Haseleu, SS Diede, CF/P Neidt, PH

Wilhelmi (W, 1-1 Diede (SV, 1)

AB 4 5 4 5 3 0 3 1 3 4 4 1 37

R 1 3 3 2 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 11

IP 5 4

H 3 6

H RBI 0 0 2 0 3 2 1 1 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 1 0 0 9 6

BB 2 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 4

SO 0 2B, HP 1 0 2B, HP, SAC HP, SAC 0 HP 1 0 1 0 0 2B, SAC(2) SAC 1 2 1 7

R 2 2

BB 3 2

SO 7 1

ER 1 2

Indians Crush Tigers 5/23/08 The Tigers opened a busy weekend of baseball at Riverside Park with a Friday night tilt against Sleepy Eye. The game quickly turned from a pitcher's duel into a game to forget for the home team. Matt Tews made his third start of the season for Springfield. Sleepy Eye countered with Brian Hertling. The first five innings were a pitcher's duel as the starters kept the bats quiet, allowing just three total hits. Sleepy Eye was first on the board in the top of the fifth when they took advantage of four Springfield errors to plate two unearned runs. The Tigers cut the lead in half when Andy Moritz led off with a walk, stole second, and advanced to third when the throw went into centerfield. Tews came through with one of his two doubles to plate Moritz making the score 2-1. The visitor's bats came alive in their half of the sixth when they put together four hits to increase their lead to four runs. They added another run in the seventh. Tews left the game after eight innings with the score 61. Andy Neidt came on to pitch the ninth and yielded five runs, only three of which were earned, on five Sleepy Eye hits. Bringing the final tally to 11-1. Springfield got at least one runner on base in every inning after they scored their lone run in the fifth, but were unable to put any additional runs on the scoreboard. It was a game the Tigers would like to forget as soon as possible. They'll get right back to work on Sunday night when the Longhorns from Stark come to town for a 7:30pm contest. Come down for some great family entertainment! Linescore

Sleepy Eye Springfield

1 0 0

2 0 0

3 0 0

4 0 0

5 2 1

6 3 0

7 1 0

8 0 0

9 R H 5 11 14 0 1 2

E LOB 2 9 8 9

Springfield Box

Tews, P Neidt, P Schwab, 2B R. Sturm, 1B Baier, 3B Groebner, DH Haseleu, SS Beers, LF A. Moritz, C Miesen, LF Berg, PH C. Moritz, CF Brandl, PH

Tews (L, 0-1) Neidt

AB 3 5 2 2 3 4 2 3 0 3 1 28

R 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1

H RBI 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 1

BB 1 0 2 1 0 0 2 0 1 0 0 7

SO 0 2 0 0 2 1 1 1 0 2 1 10

IP 8 1

H 9 5

R 6 5

BB 0 1

SO 5 2

ER 3 3

2B(2), HP

SAC HP

Sturm's Ejection Ignites Tigers 5/25/08 In the middle game of the Memorial Day weekend homestand for the Tigers, it was the ejection of a key slugger that lit a fire for the Springfield offense, as they bashed sixteen hits en route to a 12-2 victory over the Stark Longhorns. Brandon Wilhelmi took to hill for Springfield. He allowed a run on two hits in the top of the first inning, but then proceeded to shutdown the Stark offense, allowing just three hits after the first frame. The Tigers got on the board in the second. Matt Tews continued his hot hitting as he started things with a double. Dave Groebner followed with a single, moving Tews to third. Bob Fink tied the game with a sacrifice fly to rightfield. Springfield gained the lead in their half of the third when Ryan Sturm got a one-out single. Groebner and Fink followed with singles of their own. Fink got his second RBI of the night driving in Sturm to make the score 21. Wilhelmi helped himself out when he tripled in the fourth and came in to score on a wild pitch, pushing the lead to 3-1. In the top of the fifth, Tiger first baseman, Sturm was ejected from the game after a controversial call on a play at first base. After losing their clean-up hitter, the Tiger bats erupted for five hits and five runs in the bottom of the inning. Tews, Andy Moritz, Adam Beers, and Brady Schwab all had singles. Matt Baier added a double to provide the firepower for the inning. The score stood at 8-1 after five innings. The was no scoring in the sixth or seventh. Bryant Krebs made his Tiger mound debut and allowed one unearned run in the top of the eighth before Jesse Berg came in to end the inning. The Tigers batted around in the bottom of the eighth, getting doubles from Wilhelmi, Krebs, and another single from Andy Moritz. Berg also ended the bottom of the eighth, and the game by the ten-run rule, when he drew a bases-loaded walk to score Brent Haseleu from third, making the final 12-2. Brandon Wilhelmi picked up his second win in as many starts. Springfield will close out the weekend with a matinee battle against the Gibbon Reds tomorrow afternoon at 2pm. Come down and enjoy some Memorial Day baseball at Riverside Park! Linescore

Stark Springfield

1 1 0

2 0 1

3 0 1

4 0 1

5 0 5

6 0 0

7 0 0

8 1 4

9 R H X 2 5 X 12 16

E LOB 2 12 3 16

Springfield Box

Wilhelmi, P/SS Baier, CF/3B Schwab, 2B Haseleu, PR/2B R. Sturm, 1B Krebs, CF/P Tews, SS/CF/1B Groebner, DH Berg, 3B/1B/P Fink, RF Brandl, RF A. Moritz, C C. Moritz, CR Beers, LF

Wilhelmi (W, 2-1) Krebs Berg

AB 4 4 3 2 3 3 5 4 0 2 1 5 0 4 40

R 2 2 0 1 1 0 2 0 0 1 0 1 1 1 12

IP 7 2/3 1/3

H 5 0 0

H RBI 2 1 1 1 1 2 0 0 1 0 2 1 3 0 2 0 0 1 1 2 0 0 2 1 0 0 1 1 16 10 R 1 1 0

ER 1 0 0

BB 2 2 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 7

SO 0 1 0 1 1 1 0 1 0 0 1 2 0 2 10

BB 3 3 0

SO 7 1 0

2B, 3B 2B HP

2B 2B, HP

SAC, HP

Springfield Slugs Their Way Past Gibbon 5/26/08 It was a perfect Memorial Day afternoon for a baseball game as the Tigers wrapped up their three game homestand with a game against the Gibbon Reds. The home team continued their hot hitting and notched a 4-2 victory. Jake Miesen started on the mound. He allowed a lead-off walk who came around to score after a double and a sacrifice fly, giving the Reds a 1-0 lead. After allowing the run in the first, Miesen allowed just one runner to get as far as third base during his seven innings of work. The Tigers lost three base runners in the first two innings. It was clear that hits were needed to move the runners around the bases. Those hits started coming in bunches in the Tiger half of the fourth. Matt Tews, Ryan Sturm, and Bob Fink all singled to load the bases. Adam Beers came through with a base hit that scored two, giving Springfield the lead, 2-1. In the bottom of the fifth, Matt Baier started things with a single. Tews moved him up to second with a sacrifice bunt. Sturm singled and Fink followed with a RBI base hit, giving the home team a two run lead, 31. The final Springfield run was scored in the sixth. Andy Moritz smashed a one-out single. Brandon Wilhelmi followed with a base hit, moving Moritz to third. Baier picked up a run-batted-in with a sacrifice fly to left, pushing the Springfield lead to three. Jesse Berg came on in relief of Miesen in the top of the eighth. He yielded a single run in the ninth, on a walk and a Gibbon single, giving us the final of 4-2. Miesen picked up his second win of the season, giving him a perfect 2-0 record. Berg notched a save, working the final two innings in relief. Springfield will travel to the west on Friday night to take on the 5-1 Lamberton Long Sox in an 8pm game. They'll be looking to avenge the season opening loss to the Long Sox at Riverside Park. We'll see you in Lamberton! Linescore

Gibbon Springfield

1 1 0

2 0 0

3 0 0

4 0 2

5 0 1

6 0 1

7 0 0

8 0 0

9 1 X

R H 2 6 4 16

E LOB 1 6 2 12

Springfield Box

Wilhelmi, SS C. Moritz, PH Baier, CF/3B Tews, 2B Haseleu, 2B R. Sturm, 1B Fink, RF Neidt, RF Groebner, DH Miesen, P Krebs, CF Beers, LF Berg, 3B/P Brandl, PH A. Moritz, C

Miesen (W, 2-0) Berg (SV, 1)

AB 4 1 3 4 5 4 3 4 3 1 3 35

R 0 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 4

IP 7 2

H 5 1

H RBI 3 0 1 0 1 1 2 0 3 0 4 1 0 0 1 2 0 0 0 0 1 0 16 4 R 1 1

ER 1 1

BB 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 2

SO 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 0 0 3

BB 1 1

SO 7 1

SAC SAC

HP

Tigers Lose Tough One in Lamberton 5/30/08 Springfield pulled out to a 3-0 lead, but the Long Sox kept chipping away until they won it in the bottom of the ninth. Matt Tews pitched a nice game, but just ran out of gas as Lamberton swept the season series over Springfield. In the top of the third inning, Brandon Wilhelmi led off with a double. Bob Fink reached on an error before Ryan Sturm came through with an RBI single. After two were out, Dave Groebner crushed a double out to the deepest part of right-center field driving in Fink and Sturm giving the visitors a 3-0 lead. After the Tigers scored their runs in the third, Lamberton pitchers Jacob Jenniges, Tony Ourada, and Derrick Jenniges combined to face just two batters over the minimum for the final six innings. No Tiger base runner was able to advance beyond first base. Lamberton cut the Springfield lead to two in the bottom of the fifth when they bunched together three singles. They added another run in their half of the seventh, taking advantage of a hit batter and a double. It was 3-2, with Springfield on top, going into the bottom of the ninth. After retiring the first batter, Tews surrendered back-to-back base hits. The next hitter flew out for the second out. That elusive third out just didn't come, as the tying run scored on a bases loaded walk. The winning run scored on a Tiger error to end the game. Matt Tews went all the way and took the loss to move to 0-2 on the season. The 4-3 loss to the Long Sox drops Springfield's record to 4-4 on the year and 3-4 in the Tomahawk East. The Tigers will travel to Hanska to take on the Lakers on Sunday afternoon. They'll be looking to get back to .500 in league play with the match-up against their National Division rival. Linescore

Springfield Lamberton

1 0 0

2 0 0

3 3 0

4 0 0

5 0 1

6 0 0

7 0 1

8 0 0

9 0 2

R H 3 8 4 10

E LOB 3 6 1 13

Springfield Box

Wilhelmi, SS Baier, 2B Fink, 1B R. Sturm, 3B Tews, P Groebner, DH Miesen, C Beers, RF Krebs, CF Brandl, PH C. Sturm, LF

Tews (L, 0-2)

AB 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 2 1 4 35

R 1 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 3

IP 8 2/3

H 10

H RBI 1 0 1 0 2 0 1 1 0 0 2 2 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 8 3

BB 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1

SO 0 1 0 0 0 0 2 1 0 2 6

R 4

BB 2

SO 6

ER 3

2B

2B

Wilhelmi Leads Tigers to Quick Win 6/1/08 Brandon Wilhelmi was dealing on Sunday afternoon in Hanska. He never faced more than four batters in an inning, as he led Springfield to a 2-0 win that took just one hour and fifty minutes. It was a well-played game for both teams, with many hard hit balls, but most of them found a glove rather than a gap. The Tigers got runners in scoring position in the first, third and fourth innings, tallying seven hits during the first five innings, but were unable to get on the scoreboard off Hanska starter Aaron Breu. Meanwhile, Wilhelmi was magnificent. The Lakers biggest threat came in the bottom of the fifth. Hanska got a one-out single and stole second. The next batter hit a long fly ball to right-center field. It looked as through it might go for an extra base hit, but Chris Sturm came through with a great over-the-shoulder diving catch to get the second out. A ground out ended the inning with the Laker base runner at third. He was the only runner who would advance that far on the afternoon for the home team. Brady Mosenden came on in relief for Hanska in the top of the sixth and retired the first ten Tiger batters he faced. Then, with one out in the top of the ninth, Dave Groebner singled up the middle. Matt Tews reached on a error, moving Groebner to third. Adam Beers broke the egg on the scoreboard with a solid single, scoring Groebner and moving Tews to third. Tews scored on a balk, giving Springfield all the runs they would need, with a two run lead. Wilhelmi gave up a two-out double in the bottom of the ninth, but got the next batter to ground out to third to end the ballgame. Brandon picked up his third win of the year, moving his record to 3-1. Beers led the Tigers at the plate with three hits and the big RBI to break the scoreless tie. Matt Baier added two hits. Springfield evened their league record at 4-4 with the win and moved to 5-4 overall. Next up, they'll head over to Leavenworth to battle the Orioles on Wednesday night. Linescore

Springfield Hanska

1 0 0

2 0 0

3 0 0

4 0 0

5 0 0

6 0 0

7 0 0

8 0 0

9 2 0

R 2 0

H 9 4

E LOB 0 8 2 5

Springfield Box

Wilhelmi, P Baier, CF Schwab, SS R. Sturm, 3B Groebner, DH Neidt, 1B Tews, 2B Beers, LF Miesen, C Brandl, RF C. Sturm, RF

Wilhelmi (W, 3-1)

AB 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 3 1 3 35

R 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 2

H RBI 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 3 1 0 0 1 0 1 0 9 1

BB 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

SO 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 2 4

IP 9

H 4

R 0

BB 1

SO 7

ER 0

SAC

Tigers Come Up on Short End of 1-0 Game 6/4/08 Springfield traveled to Leavenworth on Wednesday night. It was another quick, well-played game for both teams, but this time the Tigers were on the losing side of a 1-0 score. Jake Miesen was on the mound for Springfield. After shaky second and third innings, Miesen faced just two batters over the minimum during his final five innings. He rolled, giving up just one hit after allowing a hit in each of the first two innings. The Tigers got runners to second and third in the top of the first. Brandon Wilhelmi started the game with a single. Brady Schwab ripped a double to right-center, but Oriole pitcher Gabe Hirsch kept the Tigers off the board. Springfield had another opportunity in the top of the fifth. After two were out in the inning, Wilhelmi singled. Matt Baier followed with a base hit. Schwab drew a walk to load the bases, but again Hirsch worked his way out of the inning without allowing a run. Leavenworth got their run in the bottom of the second when they took advantage of a Tiger error, a hit batter, and an RBI single to right by Hirsch to plate the one and only run of the ball game. Miesen got tagged with the hard luck loss, giving up just three hits and the unearned run, while striking out eight. Springfield had eight hits, but Hirsch was able to keep the Tigers off the scoreboard, notching thirteen strikeouts in his complete game win. Springfield will take a break from the Tomahawk East this weekend while participating in the Omann Insurance Invitational Tournament in St. Stephen and Sartel. They'll be playing two games on Saturday and one game on Sunday. Tournament action begins at 11:30am as the Tigers take on Winsted in St. Stephen. Linescore

Springfield Leavenworth

1 0 0

2 0 1

3 0 0

4 0 0

5 0 0

6 0 0

7 0 0

8 0 0

9 0 x

R 0 1

H 8 3

E LOB 1 9 0 8

Springfield Box

Wilhelmi, C Baier, 3B Schwab, SS Groebner, DH Neidt, 1B Fink, RF Beers, LF C. Sturm, CF Miesen, P Brandl, PH Diede, 2B Krebs, PR

Miesen (L, 2-1)

AB 4 4 3 4 4 4 4 3 1 4 0 35

R 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

H RBI 2 0 2 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 8 0

BB 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1

SO 2 0 1 2 2 1 3 1 1 0 0 13

IP 8

H 3

R 1

BB 2

SO 8

ER 0

2B

Springfield Defeated By Winsted 6/7/08 The Tigers traveled to St. Stephen for the opening round of the Omann Insurance Invitational Tournament on Saturday. Winsted jumped out ahead in the top of the first on a long homerun that foreshadowed the Tigers luck during the entire tournament. Matt Tews took the hill for Springfield. After getting two quick outs in the first, an error got things going for the Wildcats. The next batter singled before Marc Kohler launched a long homer over the left field fence to give Winsted a 3-0 lead. In the bottom of the second, Tews helped himself with a one-out base hit. He advanced to second on a groundout by Bob Fink. Chris Sturm drove in the Tigers lone run with a single, making the score 3-1. The Wildcats got the run right back in the top of the third with another two-out rally. They got a double followed by a single to push their lead back to three. Springfield got singles in the third by Brandon Wilhelmi, in the fifth inning by Chris Sturm, and in the sixth by Brady Schwab, but couldn't string any hits together to cut into the Wildcat lead. Winsted got two hits in the top of the sixth to score the last run of the game, yielding the final, 5-1. Tews continues to look for his first win of the season. The loss drops his record to 0-3. With the loss, Springfield dropped into the losers' bracket and would face St. Martin in St. Stephen after the winners' bracket game between St. Stephen and Winsted. Linescore

Winsted Springfield

1 3 0

2 0 1

3 1 0

4 0 0

5 0 0

6 1 0

7 0 0

R 5 1

H 8 5

E LOB 0 5 2 3

Springfield Box

Wilhelmi, CF Baier, 2B Schwab, SS R. Sturm, 1B Tews, P Fink, DH Krebs, RF C. Sturm, LF Berg, 3B A. Moritz, C

Tews (L, 0-3)

AB 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 1 2 24

R 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1

H RBI 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 2 1 0 0 0 0 5 1

BB 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

SO 1 1 0 0 0 1 0 1 2 6

IP 7

H 8

R 5

BB 0

SO 2

ER 2

SAC

St. Martin Shuts Out Tigers 6/7/08 Springfield had a second chance to play in St. Stephen on Saturday in the Omann Insurance Invitational Tournament. The St. Stephen ballpark is nestled into a wooded depression and often when balls are hit one can hear an echo. There were lots of echoes in the Tigers' second game of the tournament. Jon Diede made his first start of the season on the mound. He started the game by striking out the first two batters. St. Martin got a couple runners on base, but Diede was able to work out of the inning without allowing a run. Brady Schwab smashed a two-out double in the bottom of the inning, but was stranded there. The Martins started the scoring in the top of the second when they scored an unearned run, taking advantage of a Springfield error and two singles. In the third, they extended their lead, putting together four singles and scoring three runs to increase their advantage to 4-0. Schwab started the bottom of the fourth with a base hit. Ryan Sturm ripped a double, but Schwab was thrown out at the plate. The St. Martin pitcher worked his way out of the inning, ending the Tigers' biggest threat of the game. Springfield seemed to have no luck, hitting the ball very hard, but always within the range of the fielders. The Martins seemed to be able to find the holes with much more regularity, dropping balls in for hits. St. Martin added two more runs in the top of the fifth on the single and a two-run homer. Chris Sturm came on in relief in the sixth. He had a rough start, walking the first two batters he faced, before allowing a monster three-run home run, making the score 9-0, which would be the final. The loss put Springfield into the 7th place game on Sunday morning in Sartell against the Muskies. Jon Diede was the losing pitcher and Brady Schwab led the Tigers at the plate with two hits. Linescore

St. Martin Springfield

1 0 0

2 1 0

3 3 0

4 0 0

5 2 0

6 3 0

7 0 0

R H 9 11 0 5

E LOB 0 7 1 3

Springfield Box

Wilhelmi, C Baier, 3B Schwab, SS R. Sturm, 1B Tews, 2B Diede, P Krebs, RF C. Sturm, RF Neidt, PR A. Moritz, CF Brandl, DH C. Moritz, LF

Diede (L, 0-1) C. Sturm

AB 3 3 3 3 3 2 1 1 0 2 1 22

R 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

H RBI 1 0 0 0 2 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 5 0

BB 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1

SO 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 2

IP 5 2

H 9 2

R 6 3

BB 2 2

SO 5 0

ER 5 3

2B 2B

SAC

Springfield Finishes Eighth in Tournament 6/8/08 It was a new day, but the results were the same, as the Tigers faced the Omann Invitational Tournament cohost, Sartell Muskies, at their home field. Springfield continued to hit the ball hard, but it just wasn't their weekend for the balls to drop, as they were shutout, 8-0. Jake Miesen took the hill for Springfield and was roughed up, walking four and allowing five hits in two plus innings. After walking the lead-off hitter in the top of the third, he was lifted for Jesse Berg. Berg did a nice job, scattering seven hits during the final five innings. The Muskies put together two hits and a walk to load the bases in their half of the fifth. A single drove in two runs, giving them their total of eight runs on the day. Matt Baier smashed two singles for the total of the Tiger offense. Three batters reached on errors and Chris Moritz drew a walk, but the Tigers hit into two double plays to quickly end potential rallies. The Springfield offense struggled during the entire tournament, only getting more than one hit in an inning twice. Once in the first game when they scored their only run and once during the second game when Brady Schwab was thrown out at the plate. Jake Miesen was the losing pitcher, evening his record on the season at 2-2. The Tigers would like to thank the St. Stephen Steves and the Sartell Muskies for the invitation to the tournament and the great hog roast after the game on Saturday. It was good to play at a couple different ballparks against some different opponents. Springfield returns to league play on Wednesday night. They'll look to apply the lessons of the weekend, and break their four-game losing skid, when they travel to Redwood Falls to take on the Redbirds at 8pm. Go Tigers! Linescore

Sartell Springfield

1 3 0

2 3 0

3 0 0

4 0 0

5 2 0

6 0 0

7 0 0

R H 8 12 0 2

Springfield Box

Wilhelmi, CF Baier, 3B Schwab, SS R. Sturm, 1B Tews, 2B C. Sturm, RF C. Moritz, RF Brandl, PH A. Moritz, C Miesen, P Berg, P Krebs, LF

Miesen (L, 2-2) Berg

AB 3 3 3 3 3 1 0 1 2 2 2 23

R 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

H RBI 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0

BB 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1

SO 1 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 2 1 6

IP 2 5

H 5 7

R 6 2

BB 4 2

SO 1 3

ER 6 2

E LOB 3 9 1 3

Tigers Stop Streaks, Drop Reds 6/14/08 Entering Saturday afternoon's game at Gibbon, Springfield had lost four straight games and had not scored a run in nineteen innings. Both of the streaks came to an end, one a little easier than the other, under the warm June sunshine. The Tigers' bats went right to work in the top of the first inning. Brandon Wilhelmi led off with a walk. Matt Baier, Brady Schwab, and Bob Fink followed with three straight singles. Dave Groebner ripped a run scoring double. Matt Tews wrapped up the scoring for Springfield in the first with a two-run home run over the left field fence. After half an inning, the Tigers had a 5-0 lead. Tews took the ball, still looking for his first win of the season. He surrendered a solo homer in the bottom of the first to make the score 5-1. Springfield pushed the lead back to five in the top of the fourth when Schwab singled to drive in Baier who had reached on a fielder's choice. The Reds weren't about to give up as they matched the Springfield run with one of their own in the bottom of the inning. Gibbon continued to chip away at the Tiger lead in the fifth when they plated three runs, taking advantage of two hits, two walks, and a Springfield error. Errors were the theme of the last few innings of the game. The Reds and Tigers combined for ten miscues during the final five innings. Chris Sturm launched a solo homer in the top of the sixth to move the score to 7-5. Springfield extended their lead to three in the seventh, when they got a run aided by three Gibbon errors. The in the bottom of the inning, the Tigers committed three errors of their own, accounting for two unearned runs, bringing the Reds within one, 8-7. Jon Diede took over on the hill in the eighth and worked the final two innings without allowing a run to earn the save. Matt Tews picked up his first win of the season. Brady Schwab and Chris Sturm led the Tigers at the plate with three hits each. With the win the Tigers even their league record at 5-5. They are 6-8 overall on the season. They'll look to start a positive streak when they return to Riverside Park, for the first time since Memorial Day, tomorrow night to take on the Grizzlies from Searles. Come on down and cheer on the Tigers! Linescore

Springfield Gibbon

1 5 1

2 0 0

3 0 0

4 1 1

5 0 3

6 1 0

7 1 2

8 0 0

9 0 0

R H 8 14 7 10

E LOB 7 7 4 8

Springfield Box

Wilhelmi, SS Baier, 3B Schwab, 2B Fink, 1B/RF Beers, LF Groebner, DH Diede, RF/P C. Moritz, RF Tews, P/1B Krebs, PR A. Moritz, C C. Sturm, CF

Tews (W, 1-3) Diede (SV, 2)

AB 3 5 5 5 5 5 4 0 4 4 40

R 1 2 1 1 0 1 1 0 0 1 8

IP 7 2

H 10 0

H RBI 2 0 1 1 3 1 1 1 1 0 1 1 1 2 0 0 1 0 3 1 14 7 R 7 0

ER 4 0

BB 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1

SO 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1

BB 2 0

SO 5 0

SAC 2B

2B

HR

HR

Rally in the Ninth Lifts Tigers Over Grizzlies 6/15/08 The Tigers returned to Riverside Park to battle the Searles Grizzlies on Sunday night. It was an exciting ball game as Springfield battled back from two deficits to pull out a win in the bottom of the ninth, 7-6. Brandon Wilhelmi made the start for the home team on the hill. The Tigers struggles on defense continued into the beginning of the game as Searles scored two unearned runs in the top of the first, on two hits, a walk, and aided by two Springfield errors. The Grizzlies pushed their lead to four in the second. After there was one out, they put together three straight hits to extend their lead. Wilhelmi started things in the Tiger third with a walk. Matt Baier moved him up to second with a sacrifice bunt. Brady Schwab drew a base on balls. Wilhelmi came in to score when Bob Fink reached on a fielder's choice. Adam Beers reached on an error before Dave Groebner drove in the Tigers' second run with a ground out. Wilhelmi settled in after the bumpy start. He faced just three batters in four of the next six innings. The Springfield offense was clicking in the sixth. Matt Tews dropped in a one-out single. After the second out was recorded, Chris Sturm got a base hit. Wilhelmi followed with a hit, driving in Tews. Baier dropped in an opposite field single to score Sturm, but Wilhelmi was thrown out at the plate, ending the inning and leaving the score tied at four. The game remained tied until the top of the ninth when Searles got a lead-off walk. Wilhelmi retired the next two batters, but the third out of the inning was elusive. The Grizzlies put together three straight hits to score two runs and take a 6-4 lead. Outs would be just as elusive for Searles in the bottom of the inning. Baier started things with a double. Schwab followed up with a double of his own, driving in Baier to make it 6-5. Fink came through with a base hit, moving Schwab to third. With the tying run ninety feet away, Beers hit what looked like a run scoring sacrifice fly to right, but the ball was misplayed by the right fielder allowing both Schwab and Fink to come around to score, giving Springfield a 7-6 victory. Brandon Wilhelmi remains perfect in games he has started this season, earning his fourth win of the season. Matt Baier and Chris Sturm led the Tiger offense with two hits each. Next up for the Tigers will be a Wednesday night match up with the Essig Bluejays. It is Youth Night at Riverside Park with lots of activities for all the youth in attendance, including a free hot dog. The Tigers would like to wish Ryan Sturm a quick recovery from his surgery this past week. We'll see everyone at the park on Wednesday night! Linescore

Searles Springfield

1 2 0

2 2 0

3 0 2

4 0 0

5 0 0

6 0 2

7 0 0

8 0 0

9 2 3

R H 6 10 7 8

E LOB 4 10 4 10

Springfield Box

Wilhelmi, P Baier, 3B Schwab, SS Fink, 1B/RF Beers, LF Groebner, DH C. Moritz, RF/CF Tews, 2B A. Moritz, C C. Sturm, CF/1B

Wilhelmi (W, 4-1)

AB 4 4 4 5 3 3 1 3 3 3 33

R 1 1 2 1 0 0 0 1 0 1 7

IP 9

H 10

H RBI 1 1 2 1 1 1 1 1 0 1 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 2 0 8 6

BB 1 0 1 0 1 0 0 1 1 0 5

SO 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1

R 6

BB 3

SO 7

ER 4

2B, SAC 2B SAC

HP

Tigers Come Out on Top Against Bluejays 6/18/08 Springfield picked up their third straight win in front of a big Youth Night crowd at Riverside Park against the Essig Bluejays. Both teams scored all of their runs with two outs in a nice ball game. Jake Miesen made the start for Springfield. He did a great job allowing just a walk during the first three innings. The Tiger bats went right to work against Essig starter Terry Helget. In the bottom of the first, Brady Schwab got a two-out single. Bob Fink drew a walk and Adam Beers came through with a double to deep left field driving in Schwab and Fink to give Springfield an early 2-0 lead. In the Tiger second, Marty Brandl sent the ball right back up the middle for a base hit. Andy Moritz reached when he was hit by a pitch. Brandon Wilhelmi reached on a fielder's choice. With two down, Matt Baier was the clutch hitter, driving in two runs with a two-bagger, moving the Springfield lead to four. The Tigers got the bases loaded in the third and two runners on in the fourth, but were unable to extend their lead, as Helget worked his way out of the jams. Essig made things interesting in the top of the fourth. Miesen only gave up one hit in the inning, but allowed runs to score on a wild pitch, a passed ball on strike three, and on a double-steal. The Bluejays also took advantage of three walks in the inning, getting within one at 4-3. Both starters were solid in the fifth through seventh innings, as each faced just one batter over the minimum and retired the side in order during the sixth and seventh. The Bluejays were able to take advantage of another walk, along with an infield single in the top half of the eighth to tie the game at four. In the bottom of the inning, Brandl drove a one-out single to right, but was thrown out attempting to advance to second. With two down, Moritz followed with a base hit. Wilhelmi reached on an error and Baier was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Schwab drew a bases loaded walk to push across the Tigers' fifth run. Miesen walked the leadoff hitter in the ninth, but settled down the strike out two in the inning and earn a complete game victory, his third win of the season. At the plate the Tigers were led by Matt Baier, Adam Beers, and Marty Brandl who had two hits each. Springfield will continue their homestand on Friday night when Hanska will come to town for an 8pm battle. With the win, the Tigers even their overall season record at 8-8 and improve their record in the Tomahawk East to 7-5. Thanks to everyone that helped to make Youth Night a success by working and participating! We'll see you on Friday night for some more great Tiger baseball! Linescore

Essig Springfield

1 0 2

2 0 2

3 0 0

4 3 0

5 0 0

6 0 0

7 0 0

8 1 1

9 0 x

R H 4 4 5 10

E LOB 3 6 3 11

Springfield Box

Wilhelmi, SS Baier, 3B Schwab, 2B Fink, RF Beers, LF C. Sturm, 1B Z. Sturm, CF Brandl, DH Miesen, P A. Moritz, C C. Moritz, CR

Miesen (W, 3-2)

AB 5 4 4 4 4 4 3 3 3 0 34

R 1 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 5

IP 9

H 4

H RBI 0 0 2 2 1 1 1 0 2 2 1 0 0 0 2 0 1 0 0 0 10 5 R 4

ER 3

BB 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 3

SO 1 2 0 1 2 1 3 0 2 0 12

BB 6

SO 7

2B, HP

2B SAC

HP

Lakers Top Tigers in Pitcher's Duel 6/20/08 The Tigers' second game against the Hanska Lakers was very similar to their first match-up of the season in Hanska. This time the Tigers were the home team and the result was the opposite as Springfield came up on the short end of a 2-0 score. Matt Tews was on the mound for the home team. He was able to work his way out of some early jams with the help of some excellent defense. In the top of the first, with runners at second and third, Bryant Krebs came up with a great diving catch to end the inning. In the second, the Tigers turned a double-play to erase a Laker base runner. In the third frame, Krebs made another big play as he threw a Hanska base runner out at the plate for the third out of the inning. Tews settled in and scattered two hits over the next three innings. In the Hanska half of the seventh, they were able to put together three singles, along with a Springfield error, to score two runs. The two runs were all they would need. Hanska starter Dayton Larson scattered six hits. The Tigers just weren't able to string together hits, as they never got more than one in an inning. Also, four of the six Springfield hits came with two outs in the inning. The biggest threat came in the bottom of the ninth when Matt Baier led off with a single. Chris Sturm worked a one-out walk to get two runners on, but they would be left stranded. Tews picked up another hard-luck loss, dropping his record to 1-4 on the year. Brady Schwab led the Tigers at the plate, getting two of the team's six hits. The loss snaps Springfield's three game winning streak, dropping their overall record to 8-9 and 7-6 in the Tomahawk East. Next up, they'll travel over the Sleepy Eye to battle the Indians on Sunday afternoon. Come out and cheer on the Tigers as they look to start another winning streak! Linescore

Hanska Springfield

1 0 0

2 0 0

3 0 0

4 0 0

5 0 0

6 0 0

7 2 0

8 0 0

9 0 0

R H 2 10 0 6

Springfield Box

Wilhelmi, SS A. Moritz, C Brandl, PH Schwab, 2B Baier, 3B Tews, P C. Sturm, 1B Groebner, DH C. Moritz, RF Krebs, LF Z. Sturm, CF

Tews (L, 1-4)

AB 4 3 1 4 4 4 3 4 4 3 34

R 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

IP 9

H 10

H RBI 0 0 0 0 1 0 2 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 6 0

BB 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1

SO 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 0 1 1 5

R 2

BB 1

SO 5

ER 1

E LOB 3 7 1 8

Springfield Falls in the Bottom of the Ninth 6/22/08 The Tigers took a trip down Highway 14 to Sleepy Eye for a Sunday afternoon contest with the Indians. Springfield took an early lead, but are unable to extend it given numerous opportunities. That would be the difference. Brady Schwab started the top of the second with a double to left field. Dave Groebner reached on an error. Zach Sturm got a base hit to load the bases. Andy Moritz drove in the first run of the day with a single. Bryant Krebs knocked in the second run when he reached on a fielder's choice. The Tigers would leave the bases loaded in the inning, but with a 2-0 lead. Brandon Wilhelmi took the hill for the visitors. In the third inning, he gave up a two-out triple. The runner came in to score on a wild pitch, making the score 2-1. The score would remain 2-1 as Wilhelmi allowed just two hits over the next five innings. The Tiger offense had many opportunities to put more runs on the scoreboard after scoring two in the second inning. They were able to get at least one runner in scoring position in all but one of the last six innings of the ball game. Springfield was also unable to take advantage of the leadoff batter getting on base via a Sleepy Eye error in the sixth, seventh, and eighth innings. A final scoring chance was erased on a controversial play when a bunt was popped up, dropped, and turned into a double play to end the Springfield top of the ninth. Wilhelmi quickly got the first two out of the Sleepy Eye half of the ninth. Then the Indians put together backto-back base hits, getting runners at first and third. The next batter struck out on a pitch that catcher Andy Moritz wasn't able to hold on to. The runner from third came in to score. The throw to first base attempting to putout the batter, hit him in the back of the helmet. With the score tied, the next batter drew a walk before Andrew Woitas hit a single to center to drive in the winning run for Sleepy Eye. Brandon Wilhelmi struck out a dozen Sleepy Eye batters and got tagged with the tough loss. Andy Moritz, Brady Schwab, and Marty Brandl led the offense for Springfield getting two hits each. Springfield drops to 8-10 overall and 7-7 in the Tomahawk East with the hard loss. They'll have almost a week to rest up before a couple of games during Springfield's Riverside Days weekend. First, will be St. James on Friday night at 8pm. Saturday night the New Ulm Brewers will come to town for a 7pm match up. Go Tigers! Linescore

Springfield Sleepy Eye

1 0 0

2 2 0

3 0 1

4 0 0

5 0 0

6 0 0

7 0 0

8 0 0

9 0 2

R 2 3

H 9 8

E LOB 0 12 5 8

Springfield Box

Wilhelmi, P Brandl, DH Haseleu, 2B/PR Baier, 3B Schwab, SS Groebner, LF C. Moritz, LF Neidt, 1B C. Sturm, 1B/LF Z. Sturm, CF A. Moritz, C Krebs, RF

Wilhelmi (L, 4-2)

AB 5 5 0 3 4 4 1 3 4 4 3 36

R 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 2

H RBI 1 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 2 1 1 1 9 2

BB 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1

SO 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 3 1 0 6

IP 8 2/3

H 8

R 3

BB 2

SO 12

ER 3

SAC(2) 2B, HP

SAC

Tigers Battle Back to Defeat A's 6/27/08 The division leading St. James A's were the guests as the Tigers added to the Friday night entertainment during Springfield's annual Riverside Days celebration. After falling behind 4-1, the home team would battle back for a 7-5 victory. Jake Miesen started on the mound for the Tigers. St. James started the scoring in the top of the first, putting together a one-out single with a two-out double to take a quick 1-0 lead. Springfield went right to work in the bottom of the inning as Brady Schwab worked a two-out walk, stole second and came in to score on a base hit by Bob Fink, evening the score at one. The A's staged a two-out rally in their half of the third. St. James took advantage of a walk and a Tiger error, coupled with two doubles to jump back into the lead at 4-1. Springfield answered in the bottom of the inning with a two-out rally of their own. Matt Baier and Schwab both singled. Fink picked up his second and third RBIs of the game driving in Baier and Schwab with a single to make the score 4-3. Andy Moritz got a leadoff single in the bottom of the fifth. Baier moved him over with a sacrifice bunt. Moritz advanced to third on a wild pitch and Schwab drove in the tying run with a sacrifice fly. In the home half of the seventh, Moritz got a two-out base hit before Baier crushed a triple, pushing across the fifth run for the Tigers and giving them a 5-4 lead. Miesen settled in after surrendering the three runs in the third inning. He got the first two out in the eighth and left the game with two runners on base. Jesse Berg entered the game in relief and gave up a single which drove in the tying run, making the score five all, before getting the third out of the inning. Fink started the home half of the eighth with a single. Adam Beers traded places with Fink reaching on a fielder's choice. Chris Strum singled. Marty Brandl gave the Tigers the lead, driving in Beers with a base hit. Zach Sturm reached on a fielder's choice before Jesse Berg moved Brandl around to score with a single, giving Springfield a two-run lead at 7-5. Berg went out and retired the side in order in the ninth earning the win. Bob Fink led the Tiger bats with three hits. Andy Moritz, Matt Baier, and Chris Sturm added two hits each to the Tiger attack. The win moves the Tigers to 9-10 overall and 8-7 in the Tomahawk East. Next up, the Tigers will take on the New Ulm Brewers. Linescore

St. James Springfield

1 1 1

2 0 0

3 3 2

4 0 0

5 0 1

6 0 0

7 0 1

8 1 2

9 0 x

R H 5 9 7 13

E LOB 0 9 2 6

Springfield Box

A. Moritz, C Baier, 3B Kraska, 3B Schwab, SS Fink, RF C. Moritz, RF Beers, LF C. Sturm, 1B Brandl, DH Haseleu, 2B Z. Sturm, CF Miesen, P Berg, P

Miesen Berg (W, 1-0)

AB 5 3 2 4 4 4 4 3 3 1 33

R 2 1 2 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 7

IP 7 2/3 1 1/3

H 8 1

H RBI 2 0 2 1 1 1 3 3 1 0 2 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 13 7 R 5 0

ER 2 0

BB 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 2

SO 2 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 4

BB 3 0

SO 5 1

3B, SAC SAC

Wilhelmi Throws a Gem, as Springfield Downs Brewers 6/29/08 The New Ulm Brewers came to town in what turned out to be the finale of the activities for Springfield's Riverside Days celebration. The game was originally scheduled for Saturday night, but had to be pushed back to Sunday night due to rain. The rain also put a damper on the 1990s Tournament Team Reunion Night, though a number of players from the 1992-1998 Springfield state tournament teams were in town Saturday night and got together for reminiscing in spite of the rain. Brandon Wilhelmi took the ball for the Tigers and was flat-out fantastic. He faced just two batters over the minimum, allowing a single in the first and seventh innings for the only Brewer base runners, during his complete game effort. Springfield got on the board in the bottom of the second. Adam Beers and Bryant Krebs got back-to-back singles. Beers came in to score on a New Ulm error, giving Springfield a 1-0 lead. Beers got things going again in the Tiger fourth when he smashed a leadoff double. Krebs was hit by a pitch and Marty Brandl moved the runners up with a sacrifice bunt. Two wild pitches brought in both Beers and Krebs, extending the Springfield lead to three. In the fifth, New Ulm helped out the home team with two errors to start the inning. Beers drove in the Tigers' fourth run with his third hit of the game. Krebs grounded out driving in another Tiger run. Brandl followed with a double bringing Beers around to score. Jake Miesen picked up an RBI with a base hit moving the score to 7-0. The sixth inning saw Springfield push their lead into ten-run rule territory, scoring four runs aided by three walks, a hit batter, a New Ulm error, and a big two-run single by Miesen. Thanks to the 11-0 lead, Wilhelmi's night was shortened to a seven inning complete game victory. The win is Brandon's fifth of the season. Springfield's offense was led by Adams Beers, who had three hits. Jake Miesen added two hits and three RBIs. The victory evens the Tigers' overall record at 10-10 and improves their league record to 9-7. The Tigers' next two games will be against Redwood Falls. On Wednesday, they'll take on the Redbirds at Riverside Park at 8pm. Then they will travel to Redwood Falls on Monday, July 7 to make up a game that was rained out earlier in the season. Come down and cheer on the Tigers! Linescore

New Ulm Springfield

1 0 0

2 0 1

3 0 0

4 0 2

5 0 4

6 0 4

7 0 x

8 x x

9 R x 0 x 11

H 2 8

E LOB 4 2 0 9

Springfield Box

Wilhelmi, P Moritz, C Baier, SS Fink, RF C. Moritz, RF Beers, LF Krebs, CF Brandl, DH Haseleu, 2B Neidt, 1B Z. Sturm, PH Miesen, 3B Kraska, 3B

Wilhelmi (W, 5-2)

AB 5 3 3 4 4 3 2 2 0 3 29

R 0 1 2 1 3 2 2 0 0 0 11

IP 7

H 2

H RBI 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 3 1 1 2 1 1 0 1 0 0 2 3 8 8

BB 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 5

SO 0 1 0 0 0 2B 0 HP 02B, SAC, HP 0 0 1 2

R 0

BB 0

SO 7

ER 0

Tigers Pull Out Victory in the Bottom of the Ninth 7/2/08 The Tigers sent Bryant Krebs to the mound for the first start of his amateur career and he gave them all they could have hoped for and more, as Redwood Falls visited Riverside Park on Wednesday night. Trailing 3-2 going into the bottom of the ninth, Springfield rallied to score two runs, pulling out a 4-3 win. The Redbirds were the first to get on the scoreboard in the top of the second inning. They took advantage of back-to-back walks and a hit to plate a run, taking a 1-0 lead. Krebs helped himself out in the bottom of the inning leading off with a triple to right. He came in to score on an error, tying the game at one a piece. Krebs got on base again in the bottom of the fourth, drawing a two-out walk. He stole second and came around to score on a single by Jake Miesen, giving Springfield the lead at 2-1. Redwood Falls tied the game in the top of the fifth. After getting a base runner on third due to a Springfield error, a squeeze play brought in the second run for the Redbirds. Krebs gave way to Jesse Berg in the top of the seventh. Berg walked to leadoff batter and he came around to score thanks to another Tiger error. This gave the Redbirds a one-run lead at 3-2. Berg settled in to strikeout four during the final two innings and keep the deficit at just one. In the bottom of the eighth, Springfield got runners at first and third but were unable to plate any runs. The Tigers had one last chance in the bottom of the ninth. Kyle Kraska came off the bench for his first at-bat of the season, as he recovers from knee surgery, and drew a leadoff walk. Chris Moritz was hit by a pitch. Berg advanced the base runners to second and third with a sacrifice bunt. Andy Moritz reached base when he laid down a squeeze bunt to bring in pinch runner Andy Neidt. The Redbirds threw the ball away allowing Chris Moritz to come around and score the winning run for the home team. Bryant Krebs did a fantastic job, going the first six innings, leaving with the game tied at two. Jesse Berg pitched the final three innings and picked up the win, his second of the season. No Tiger batter had more than one hit as they were only able to get five total hits for the game. The win is Springfield's eleventh overall of the season and their tenth league victory, moving their record to 11-10 and 10-7, respectively. Next the Tigers will be hosting the Tomahawk East League All-Star Game on Sunday. The Springfield representatives on the All-Star team are: Brandon Wilhelmi, Matt Baier, Bob Fink and Chris Sturm. The rest of the Tigers are off until Monday night when they travel to Redwood Falls for another match-up against the Redwood Falls Redbirds. We'll see you there! Linescore Redwood Falls Springfield

1 0 0

2 1 1

3 0 0

4 0 1

5 1 0

6 0 0

7 1 0

8 0 0

9 0 2

R 3 4

H 6 5

E LOB 2 9 2 8

Springfield Box

A. Moritz, C Brandl, DH Haseleu, 2B Wilhelmi, SS Fink, RF Groebner, 1B Krebs, P/CF Miesen, 3B Kraska, PH Neidt, PR C. Moritz, LF Z. Sturm, CF Berg, P

Krebs Berg (W, 2-0)

AB 3 4 4 3 3 3 2 0 0 3 2 0 27

R 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 1 1 0 0 4

H RBI 1 1 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 2

BB 2 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 1 8

SO 0 2 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 2 0 7

IP 6 3

H 4 2

R 2 1

BB 2 1

SO 3 4

ER 1 0

3B 3B

HP SAC

Wilhelmi Fans a Dozen as Springfield Wins Forth Straight 7/7/08 Monday night the Tigers traveled to Redwood Falls to take on the Redbirds in a game that got started at 9:30pm due to a Redwood Falls Legion baseball game that was played that evening as well. Both starting pitchers threw complete games allowing a total of just three runs as the Tigers came out on top, 2-1. Brandon Wilhelmi made the start for the visitors. He began by striking out the side in the bottom of the first inning. He surrendered a single run in the bottom of the second when the Redbirds put together a double along with an RBI base hit. Wilhelmi gave up just two more hits during the final seven innings of the game. After falling behind 1-0 in the second, Springfield went to work in the top of the third. Dave Groebner started things when he legged out an infield single. Chris Moritz moved him up to second with a sacrifice bunt. Bryant Krebs tied the game with a single, driving in Groebner. Andy Moritz reached on a Redwood Falls error and Matt Baier gave Springfield the lead with an RBI base hit, scoring Krebs. Neither team was able to plate a run after the third inning. Springfield had several chances, getting runners into scoring position in the fifth, sixth, and eighth innings, but were unable to extend their lead. The Redbirds biggest threat came in the bottom of the ninth when they drew two walks, but Wilhelmi was able to work his way out of the inning and lead the Tigers to victory. While striking out twelve, Wilhelmi earned his sixth win of the season with the victory. Dave Groebner led the Tigers at the plate with three of Springfield's six hits, including two infield singles. The win is Springfield's forth straight, moving their overall record to 12-10 and 11- 7 in the Tomahawk East League. The last week of the regular season will be a busy one, as the Tigers will be playing four games in five days. They'll look to pick up their fifth straight win on Wednesday night when the Leavenworth Orioles invade Riverside Park for the final regular season home game. Come down and cheer on the Tigers as they host Sponsor & Merchant Appreciation Night and prepare to make a playoff run! Linescore

Springfield Redwood Falls

1 0 0

2 0 1

3 2 0

4 0 0

5 0 0

6 0 0

7 0 0

8 0 0

9 0 0

R 2 1

H 6 4

E LOB 1 7 2 7

Springfield Box

Wilhelmi, P A. Moritz, C Baier, SS Fink, RF Beers, LF C. Sturm, DH Haseleu, 2B Brandl, PR/DH Groebner, 1B C. Moritz, 3B Kraska, PH Krebs, CF

Wilhelmi (W, 6-2)

AB 4 4 4 4 3 2 1 4 2 1 4 33

R 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 2

H RBI 1 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 6 2

BB 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 2

SO 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 1 2 0 1 6

IP 9

H 4

R 1

BB 3

SO 12

ER 1

2B

SAC

Big Inning Does in Tigers 7/9/08 Springfield played host to the Leavenworth Orioles in their final regular season home game on Wednesday night. A nice crowd was on hand for Sponsor & Merchant Appreciation Night. The Tigers pulled out to an early lead, but the Orioles put together a big inning to move ahead and earn a 5-3 victory. Matt Tews made his first start in almost three weeks and looked strong during the first six innings, giving up just three hits and retiring the side in order four of the first six frames. In the bottom of the third, Brandon Wilhelmi got a two-out base hit. Three Leavenworth errors brought Wilhelmi around to score the first run of the game. Springfield got three straight hits from Marty Brandl, Bryant Krebs, and Wilhelmi to score two runs in the home half of the fifth, moving the score to 3-0. Leavenworth took advantage of a leadoff walk, a Springfield error, and four hits to plate four runs and take a 4-3 lead in the top of the seventh. The Orioles started the eighth with a triple and scored their fifth run on a RBI single to move the score to 5-3. After the fifth, the Springfield offense was only able to get one hit, a Wilhelmi single, his third of the night, leading the Tigers. Matt Tews got tagged with the loss, dropping his record to 1-5 on the year. Springfield's record moves to 12-11 overall and 11-8 in the Tomahawk East. Next up, they'll travel to New Ulm on Friday for an 8pm contest with the Brewers. Go Tigers! Linescore

Leavenworth Springfield

1 0 0

2 0 0

3 0 1

4 0 0

5 0 2

6 0 0

7 4 0

8 1 0

9 0 0

R H 5 10 3 6

E LOB 4 7 1 5

Springfield Box

Wilhelmi, SS Baier, 3B Fink, RF C. Moritz, RF Beers, LF Groebner, 1B Tews, P A. Moritz, C Brandl, DH Haseleu, 2B Krebs, CF

Tews (L, 1-5)

AB 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 3 35

R 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 3

IP 9

H 10

H RBI 3 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 1 6 2

BB 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

SO 0 1 1 0 1 1 2 2 0 8

R 5

BB 1

SO 6

ER 3

2B

2B

New Ulm Trounces Springfield 7/11/08 The Tigers traveled to New Ulm for a match-up with the Brewers at Johnson Park on Friday night. The ninety plus degree day brewed up some nasty looking clouds and the game was delayed due to rain for a short time in the middle of the second inning. The game proved to be a rough one for Springfield, as New Ulm took advantage of eleven walks to pull out to a 8-0 lead and finish with a 9-2 win. New Ulm pitchers combined for fourteen strikeouts to keep the Tiger bats at bay. Springfield was able to get at least one runner into scoring position in six innings, but the strikeouts put out the sparks before they could be built into a rally. Bryant Krebs made his second start for the visitors. He struggled with his control. Five of the seven runs he surrendered in four innings were the result of walks or hit batters. The Brewers gained the lead in the bottom of the first when the first batter was hit by a pitch. He made his way around the bases via a stolen base and with the help of a Tiger error. New Ulm extended their lead to three in the third, taking advantage of a two-out walk, followed by a single, another walk, and a Springfield error. The Brewers pushed their lead to four in the fourth when they got three base hits. In the fifth, Krebs hit a wall as he walked the first three batters before giving up a two-run single. He allowed a final walk before yielding to Andy Neidt who coaxed the Brewers into a double-play and worked his way out of the inning. Neidt gave up one run in the seventh, as a runner reaching via a leadoff walk made his way around to score. Andy Moritz made his 2008 mound debut in the eighth. He gave up the final run of the evening when he issued a bases-loaded walk. Springfield scored their two runs in the top of the eighth. Neidt started things with an infield single down the third base line. Brandon Wilhelmi was hit by a pitch. Matt Baier came through with a base hit to drive in Neidt. Wilhelmi also came around to score thanks to an errant throw by the Brewers. Bryant Krebs takes the loss. His first decision of the season. Brandon Wilhelmi and Bob Fink led the Tiger bats with two hits each. The Tigers will wrap up the regular season schedule on Sunday as they travel to face Searles and Stark at 2pm and 6:30pm, respectively. The Searles game is extra important as it will likely play a big role in determining the team that will finish second in the National division of the Tomahawk East and earn a firstround bye. Come on out for what should be an exciting Sunday of baseball! Linescore

Springfield New Ulm

1 0 1

2 0 0

3 0 2

4 0 1

5 0 3

6 0 0

7 0 1

8 2 1

9 0 x

R 2 9

H 7 7

E LOB 2 8 1 11

Springfield Box

Wilhelmi, SS/C A. Moritz, C/P C. Sturm, PH Baier, 3B/SS Beers, LF Tews, 1B Fink, RF Krebs, P/CF Brandl, DH Haseleu, 2B R. Sturm, PH C. Moritz, CF/3B Neidt, P

Krebs (L, 0-1) Neidt A. Moritz

AB 4 3 1 4 4 4 4 4 3 0 3 1 35

R 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 2

H RBI 2 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 7 1

BB 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

SO 1 2 1 1 1 1 1 3 2 0 1 0 14

IP 4 3 1

H 5 1 1

R 7 1 1

BB 6 2 3

SO 1 1 0

ER 5 1 1

HP

2B

HP 2B

Tigers Clinch First-Round Bye in Searles 7/13/08 Springfield's first game of the day on Sunday was an important one. A win would mean clinching at least second place in the National Division of the Tomahawk East League and a first round bye in the playoffs. Brandon Wilhelmi and Bob Fink went a combined 8-for-9 at the plate to lead the Tigers to a 3-2 win. Wilhelmi started things with a bang as he led off the game with a home run into the corn field beyond the left field fence to give himself a 1-0 lead. Wilhelmi was on the hill for the Tigers and surrendered a run in the bottom of the third when Searles put together a double and a single to tie the game at one. Andy Moritz started the Tiger half of the forth with a walk. He stole second and moved to third on a base hit by Wilhelmi. Matt Baier put Springfield back in the lead when he hit a sacrifice fly to left, allowing Moritz to score. Fink launched a homer to start the top of the fifth, giving the Tigers a 3-1 lead. The Tiger offense had many opportunities, but were unable to break the game open. During the game, eleven runners were stranded by the visitors. Ten runners were left in scoring position. Wilhelmi hit the leadoff batter in the bottom of the seventh. A walk and a single moved the runner around to score, cutting the Springfield lead to one. Jon Diede came on in relief in the eighth and shut down the Grizzlies while striking out three to earn a two inning save in the 3-2 victory. Brandon Wilhelmi earned the win, his seventh of the season. Jon Diede picked up his third save of the year, pitching the final two innings. Brandon Wilhelmi and Bob Fink lead the Springfield offense with four hits each. With the win, Springfield clinched a first round bye in the Tomahawk East playoffs. After the game, the Tigers traveled just down the road to take on the Stark Longhorns in their final regular season game of the year. Linescore

Springfield Searles

1 1 0

2 0 0

3 0 1

4 1 0

5 1 0

6 0 0

7 0 1

8 0 0

9 0 0

R H 3 11 2 10

E LOB 0 11 1 8

Springfield Box

Wilhelmi, P/CF Baier, 3B Schwab, SS Fink, RF Krebs, PR Beers, LF Groebner, 1B Tews, 2B A. Moritz, C Diede, DH/P C. Moritz, CF

Wilhelmi (W, 7-2) Diede (SV, 3)

AB 5 3 4 4 0 4 3 3 2 3 1 32

R 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 3

IP 7 2

H 8 2

H RBI 4 1 0 1 1 0 4 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 11 3 R 2 0

ER 2 0

BB 0 1 0 1 0 0 1 0 2 0 0 5

SO 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 2

BB 2 0

SO 8 3

HR SAC SAC HR SAC SAC

Springfield Wraps Up Regular Season With Win in Stark 7/13/08 Sunday was a beautiful day to play two as the Tigers played their second game of the day and final regular season game at Stark. Depending on the result of St. James' remaining games, there was still a chance that Springfield could finish in first place in the division, if they could defeat the Longhorns. The Tigers did just that, topping Stark 6-2. Jake Miesen started on the mound for the visitors. In the Stark half of the second, he surrendered a leadoff homer to give the Longhorns a 1-0 lead. After giving up the run, Miesen went on a streak, striking out 7 of 10 batters he faced. Longhorn starter Brad Mathiowetz kept the Tigers off the board until the sixth inning when Springfield scored three runs to make the score 3-1. Matt Baier reached on a base hit. Brady Schwab moved him up to second with a sacrifice bunt before Bob Fink drew a walk. Adam Beers doubled down the left field line to drive in Baier. Ryan Sturm came through, in his return to the lineup, with a big double scoring Fink and Beers. A one-out walk, coupled with a base hit and a Springfield error allowed Stark to get within one run in the bottom of the seventh. Miesen worked his way out of the inning with a strike 'em out - throw 'em out double play. Schwab started the top of the eighth with a walk. Fink followed with a base hit. Ryan Sturm drove in his third run of the game to push the Springfield lead back to two. The Tigers picked up some insurance in the ninth when Marty Brandl started things with a base hit. Chris Sturm drew a walk and Schwab was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Fink continued his big day with a two-run single giving Springfield a four run lead at 6-2. Jon Diede came in to finish things up in the bottom of the ninth and faced just three batters, giving up a single, but getting a double play to end the ballgame. Jake Miesen earned the win, going a solid eight innings, while striking out nine. The four, five, and six hitters in the Tiger order led the offense. Bob Fink, Adam Beers, and Ryan Sturm each had two hits and accounted for all of the Springfield RBIs. Springfield finishes the regular season with an overall record of 14-12 and 13-9 in league play. They have earned a bye in the first round of the playoffs and will open a best of three game series at Riverside Park on Friday, July 25 in round two of postseason play. An exhibition game may be added to the schedule during the almost two week layoff to help keep the team sharp. Stay tuned to tigerbaseball.thebpark.com to find out the next time the Tigers will take the field! Linescore

Springfield Stark

1 0 0

2 0 1

3 0 0

4 0 0

5 0 0

6 3 0

7 0 1

8 1 0

9 2 0

R 6 2

H 8 7

E LOB 1 8 1 6

Springfield Box

Wilhelmi, CF C. Sturm, PH Baier, 3B Schwab, SS Haseleu, PR Fink, RF C. Moritz, PR/RF Beers, LF R. Sturm, DH Krebs, PR Miesen, P Neidt, 1B Tews, 2B A. Moritz, C Brandl, PH Diede, 1B/P Groebner, 1B

Miesen (W, 4-2) Diede

AB 4 0 4 2 0 4 0 5 3 0 4 3 1 3 1 34

R 1 0 1 1 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 6

H RBI 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 2 0 0 2 1 2 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 8 6

BB 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 4

SO 1 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 4

IP 8 1

H 6 1

R 2 0

BB 3 0

SO 9 0

ER 1 0

HP SAC, HP

2B 2B

Grizzlies Take 1-0 Series Lead With Extra Inning Win 7/25/08 The Tigers opened the second round of the Tomahawk East League playoffs at Riverside Park on Friday night. Springfield had a bye in the first round, having finished second in the National Division. Searles defeated Stark to advance to the second round and the best of three game series against the Tigers. Brandon Wilhelmi took the mound for the home team. He surrendered a leadoff double followed by a single as the Grizzlies jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the first inning. The Tigers evened things in the bottom of the inning when Matt Baier got a one-out single. Baier moved to third on a Searles error and he came in to score on a Ryan Sturm groundout. The scored remained tied until the fourth when a Tiger error and a Searles double plated a run for the Grizzlies making the score 2-1. Springfield battled back in the bottom of the fifth. Chris Sturm led off with a base hit. Wilhelmi moved him up with a sacrifice bunt. Baier came through with his second hit of the game driving in the tying run. Wilhelmi allowed just two hits from the fifth through the ninth innings, keeping Searles off the scoreboard. Springfield stranded seven runners in the sixth through ninth innings, including leaving the bases loaded in the sixth. That combination pushed the game into extra innings. It was the Tigers first extra inning contest of the season. The Grizzlies went right to work in the tenth, getting a single, followed by a sacrifice bunt, and another single to take a 3-2 lead. Springfield got two runners on with one out in the bottom of the tenth. A line drive to the shortstop was turned into a double play to end the game. Brandon Wilhelmi took the loss, going all ten innings for the home team. Wilhelmi, Matt Baier, and Matt Tews led the Springfield offense with two hits each. The win gives Searles a one game to none lead in the best of three game series. The series continues at Searles on Sunday. If necessary, the third game will be back at Riverside Park on Tuesday night. Linescore

Searles Springfield

1 2 1 0 1 0

3 4 5 6 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0

7 0 0

8 9 10 R H 0 0 1 3 10 0 0 0 2 9

E LOB 3 9 3 13

Springfield Box

Wilhelmi, P Baier, 3B Schwab, SS C. Moritz, PR R. Sturm, 1B Fink, RF Beers, LF Krebs, PR Groebner, DH Z. Sturm, PR A. Moritz, C/PR Tews, 2B C. Sturm, CF

Wilhelmi (L, 7-3)

AB 4 5 3 0 5 5 5 0 3 0 0 5 5 40

R 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 2

IP 10

H 10

H RBI 2 0 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 1 0 9 2

BB 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 4

SO 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 3

R 3

BB 1

SO 12

ER 2

SAC

Tiger Bats Come Alive to Even Series 7/27/08 The second game of the series was scheduled to be played in Searles on Sunday afternoon. Rain originally delayed the game until 4pm and eventually caused the game to be moved to Hanska at 8pm because the Searles field doesn't have lights. Just prior to the Springfield versus Searles matchup, Hanska defeated St. James to earn a spot in the Region 2C Tournament. Searles drew first blood in the bottom of the second inning. Tiger starter Matt Tews allowed three straight hits as the Grizzlies took a 1-0 lead. The Springfield defense was key, as they turned two double plays behind Tews and threw out a runner at the plate. The third time was the charm in the top of the fifth, as the Tigers started their third time through the batting order. Brandon Wilhelmi started things with a walk, but he was thrown out attempting to steal second. Matt Baier was hit by a pitch and Brady Schwab followed with a single. Ryan Sturm tied the game with a double that was blasted to deep left-centerfield. Bob Fink put Springfield up by two when he drove in Schwab and Sturm with a solid single. Searles took advantage of two Tiger errors in the bottom of the sixth, along with two hits to get back within one run, 3-2. Springfield broke things open in the seventh. Ryan Sturm drew a four pitch walk. Fink followed with a single. Adam Beers smashed a double to drive in two runs. Dave Groebner ripped a double to rightfield to plate Springfield's third run of the inning. Matt Tews followed with a single giving the Tigers runners at first and third. An attempted pickoff throw to first was over thrown and allowed Groebner to come in to score. Wilhelmi singled to drive in the Tigers final run of the inning with Springfield in the lead 8-2. The top of the eighth saw the Tigers extend their lead when Schwab and Ryan Sturm hit back-to-back singles. Fink drove in Schwab with a sacrifice fly making the score 9-2. Tews allowed a run on two hits in the bottom of the eighth, his final inning of the night. Jon Diede came on for the Tigers, pitching a scoreless bottom of the ninth. Matt Tews picked up his second win on the season on the mound. Bob Fink lead the Tiger bats with three hits. Brady Schwab, Ryan Sturm, and Matt Tews each added two hits to the Springfield attack. The 9-3 win forces a decisive game three to be played Tuesday night back in Springfield. The winner will play Hanska on Wednesday night to determine seeding for the Region 2C Tournament. We'll see you at the ballpark! Linescore

Springfield Searles

1 0 0

2 0 1

3 0 0

4 0 0

5 3 0

6 0 1

7 5 0

8 1 1

9 0 0

R H 9 13 3 14

E LOB 2 9 1 10

Springfield Box

Wilhelmi, SS Baier, 3B Schwab, 2B R. Sturm, 1B Fink, RF Kraska, PH Beers, LF Krebs, LF Groebner, DH A. Moritz, C Tews, P C. Moritz, PR Brandl, PH Diede, P C. Sturm, CF Z. Sturm, CF

Tews (W, 2-5) Diede

AB 3 3 5 3 4 0 3 1 4 4 0 1 4 1 36

R 0 1 2 2 1 0 1 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 9

IP 8 1

H 12 2

H RBI 1 1 0 0 2 0 2 1 3 2 0 1 1 2 1 0 1 1 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 13 8 R 3 0

ER 2 0

BB 2 1 0 2 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 7

SO 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 1 5

BB 0 0

SO 3 1

HP 2B SAC 2B 2B 2B

Grizzlies End Tigers' Season 7/29/08 The best of three series returned to Riverside Park for the deciding game three on Tuesday night. The winner of the game would move on host Hanska on Wednesday night to determine the National Division champion. The loser would be done until next spring. Searles started the scoring in the top of the third inning when they put together two straight hits off Springfield starter Jake Miesen. The hits along with a Tiger error, gave Searles the lead, 1-0. Springfield didn't stay down long. In the bottom of the inning, Andy Moritz led off with a single. Brandon Wilhelmi followed with a walk. Moritz was retired at third when Matt Baier reached on a fielder's choice. Brady Schwab tied the game with a base hit. The Tigers grabbed the lead when Baier came in to score on a Ryan Sturm ground out. Opportunities presented themselves for the Tigers in the forth and fifth when they got two runners on base in each inning, but they were unable to bring them around to increase their lead. Finally, in the bottom of the sixth, Dave Groebner started things when he crushed a double to deep left center field. Wilhelmi drove Groebner in with a single, pushing the Springfield lead to two at 3-1. Miesen cruised through the forth, fifth and sixth innings, but ran into trouble in the top of the seventh. The Grizzlies put together three hits, along with a walk to score twice and tie the game. Miesen was lifted for Jon Diede with one out in the inning. Diede retired Searles in the eighth keeping the game tied. In the ninth, the Tiger defense struggled and Diede surrendered two unearned runs on just one hit, but with the help of three Springfield errors. A pickoff and double play in the seventh and eighth innings, respectively, proved to be rallykillers for the Tigers. Searles took their 5-3 lead into the bottom of the ninth. The Tigers got two runners on, but as was the theme in the series, they were unable to bring them around to score. Jon Diede took the hard luck loss, allowing two unearned runs on two hits during the final two and two-thirds innings. Brady Schwab and Bob Fink led the offensive attack with three hits each. Brandon Wilhelmi and Andy Moritz added two hits apiece. Having won the game and the series, Searles moves on to the Region 2C Tournament. The loss ends Springfield's season with an overall record of 15-14. This season was marked by numerous injuries and the Tigers will have their goals set high when the calendar turns to 2009 with a healthy and more experienced squad. The Tigers would like to wish the Searles Grizzlies the best of luck in the Region 2C Tournament. They would also like to thank all those who supported Springfield Tiger baseball in 2008, especially families and friends who came out for the games. Big thank yous also go to all the sponsors and all those who contributed their time and talents to make Riverside Park a great place for baseball. Thank you! We'll see you in 2009! Linescore

Searles Springfield

1 0 0

2 0 0

3 1 2

4 0 0

5 0 0

6 0 1

7 2 0

8 0 0

9 2 0

R H 5 8 3 12

E LOB 2 8 6 9

Springfield Box

Wilhelmi, SS Baier, 3B Schwab, 2B C. Moritz, PR R. Sturm, 1B Fink, RF Z. Sturm, PR Beers, LF Groebner, DH Miesen, P Diede, P C. Sturm, CF Tews, PH A. Moritz, C Kraska, PH

Miesen Diede (L, 0-2)

AB 4 4 5 0 4 4 0 4 4 2 1 3 1 36

R 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 3

IP 6 1/3 2 2/3

H 6 2

H RBI 2 1 1 0 3 1 0 0 0 1 3 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 12 3 R 3 2

ER 2 0

BB 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1

SO 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 1 1 0 1 0 5

BB 3 0

SO 5 1

HP

2B

SAC

Name Brent Haseleu Kyle Kraska Andy Moritz Ryan Sturm Brandon Wilhelmi Matt Baier Chris Moritz Brady Schwab Zach Sturm Andy Neidt Marty Brandl Bob Fink Jon Diede Steve Helget Adam Beers Bryant Krebs Jake Miesen Matt Tews Chris Sturm Dave Groebner Jesse Berg Al Wilhelmi Team Totals

** Team Leaders in Bold

No. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 18 21 22 23 25 33 40

G 18 8 22 16 26 27 26 21 9 25 29 23 11 29 22 24 23 20 22 20 10 21 452

GP AB 15 18 6 2 22 63 15 49 26 102 99 27 25 20 20 74 9 16 14 9 23 44 23 92 9 20 0 0 22 88 21 38 14 19 20 73 20 59 20 70 8 10 0 0 359 965

R 4 0 8 9 14 17 4 14 0 3 5 12 0 0 8 6 1 8 3 8 0 0 124

H 3 0 13 15 34 27 2 25 1 1 14 34 4 0 22 9 3 17 16 14 1 0 255

RBI 0 1 3 12 6 12 0 8 0 1 2 17 1 0 12 6 5 3 5 9 2 0 105

2B 0 0 0 4 5 3 1 6 0 0 2 3 0 0 6 3 0 3 0 4 0 0 40

Final Batting Statistics Through 29 Games

3B HR SAC BB 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 8 1 0 1 6 1 4 1 9 0 2 9 9 0 0 1 1 1 0 3 8 0 0 1 2 0 0 0 1 0 0 3 1 1 1 6 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 4 1 0 1 2 0 0 1 2 0 2 2 1 1 1 6 1 0 0 1 9 0 0 3 3 0 0 0 0 8 5 37 81

2008 Springfield Tigers Statistics

SO 3 0 19 2 10 14 9 9 11 1 9 9 4 0 15 10 4 7 16 17 5 0 174

HP SBA 0 0 0 0 2 9 3 5 2 17 11 5 1 1 4 7 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 2 0 0 0 0 1 3 1 3 1 0 3 2 1 3 2 1 0 0 0 0 28 65

SB 0 0 8 4 12 9 1 6 0 0 1 1 0 0 3 2 0 0 3 0 0 0 50

BA 0.167 0.000 0.206 0.306 0.333 0.273 0.100 0.338 0.063 0.111 0.318 0.370 0.200 0.250 0.237 0.158 0.233 0.271 0.200 0.100 0.264

OBP 0.211 0.333 0.315 0.414 0.398 0.363 0.182 0.430 0.167 0.200 0.348 0.414 0.200 0.290 0.293 0.273 0.282 0.348 0.309 0.308 0.339

SLG 0.167 0.000 0.206 0.429 0.431 0.343 0.150 0.446 0.063 0.111 0.364 0.457 0.200 0.318 0.368 0.158 0.315 0.356 0.300 0.100 0.338

Name Andy Moritz Brandon Wilhelmi Andy Neidt Jon Diede Bryant Krebs Jake Miesen Chris Sturm Matt Tews Jesse Berg Team Totals

** Team Leaders in Bold

No. 3 5 10 13 18 21 23 24 33

G 1 10 4 7 3 8 1 9 6 49

W 0 7 0 0 0 4 0 2 2 15

L 0 3 1 2 1 2 0 5 0 14

SV 0 0 1 3 0 0 0 0 1 5

IP 1 72 1/3 7 17 2/3 10 2/3 55 2 70 2/3 13 2/3 250

BF 7 302 41 83 57 242 10 317 65 1124

R ER H 1 1 1 21 15 58 13 11 10 10 7 22 10 6 9 26 17 47 3 3 2 36 21 86 9 7 15 129 88 250

Final Pitching Statistics Through 29 Games 2B 0 11 2 0 1 8 0 13 0 35

3B 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 2 0 4

HR 0 0 0 1 0 1 1 2 0 5

SO 0 79 3 11 5 49 0 46 10 203

BB 3 18 7 4 11 24 2 8 6 83

HP 0 5 2 2 1 3 0 5 2 20

WP 0 5 7 2 2 3 1 2 2 24

ERA BF/IP WHIP 9.00 7.00 4.00 1.87 4.18 1.05 14.14 5.86 2.43 3.57 4.70 1.47 5.06 5.34 1.87 2.78 4.40 1.29 13.50 5.00 2.00 2.67 4.49 1.33 4.61 4.75 1.54 3.17 4.50 1.33

#1 Brent Haseleu Nickname: Hazzie Bat/Throw: R/R Birthday: 12/20 Years Playing With The Tigers: 2006 - present Position(s): IF High School/Graduation Year: Springfield High School - Class of 2006 College: South Dakota State University, South Central College Best Part Of Playing Amateur Baseball: "I don't want to play golf. When I hit a ball, I want someone else to go chase it." ~ Rogers Hornsby Thoughts On Kyle Kraska: Plays the game hard Other baseball experience (coaching, other teams): Played for as long as I can remember Favorite Baseball Memory: Comeback win over Wabasso in 2005 Playoffs Worst Baseball Memory: Final High School Game Favorite Baseball Movie: Major League Person Most Responsible For Developing Your Love For The Game Of Baseball: Dad, Grandpa, and the Atlanta Braves Best Teammate You've Ever Played With: Anyone who loves the game Favorite Song: No real favorite, listen to mostly country Favorite Food: Venison Favorite Movie: Major League Family: parents: Randy and Rose, sister: Ashley, brother: Derek Job: carpenter Random Fact: I don't say much Parting Thoughts: It's a privilege to put on the Tiger uniform.

#2 Kyle Kraska Nickname: Tic Tic Bat/Throw: R/R Birthday: 6/10 Years Playing With The Tigers: 2007 - present Position(s): SS High School: Marshfield, WI College: University of Minnesota Crookston Best Part Of Playing Amateur Baseball: After the game, listening to all of the stories and making fun of Bobby Fink... Thoughts On Kyle Kraska: He is a really nice guy!!!! If more people could be like him the world would be a safer place!! Other baseball experience (coaching, other teams): I coached at the college level for two years and currently I'm assisting with the Springfield High School team. I also played for the Monticello Polecats (98-04) and the Freeman Black Sox (05-06) Favorite Baseball Memory: The sound of a baseball hitting a wood bat!! Worst Baseball Memory: Losing is never a good memory!! Favorite Baseball Movie: Bull Durham, Major League, 61*, The Bad News Bears, Eight Men Out, Field of Dreams, For the Love of the Game, The Natural, The Rookie, The Sandlot... How can someone pick a favorite!!!! Person Most Responsible For Developing Your Love For The Game Of Baseball: I would have to say it was my coaches when I was really young!! Best Teammate You've Ever Played With: I can't single out just one guy!! It takes a whole team to win games and all different types of players. If had to pick someone, it would be a person that comes to the ball park not to play but because he loves to be there!! That's the best teammate!! Favorite Song: The Dock of the Bay - Otis Redding Favorite Food: Steak and beer!! Favorite Movie: Answers above!! Family: Love them!!! And I am a new uncle... Job: Account Manager, Harvest Land Random Fact: It is impossible to lick your elbow!! Parting Thoughts: Try to lick your elbow!?!?!

#3 Andrew Moritz Nickname: Mo Bat/Throw: R/R Birthday: 10/3 Years Playing With The Tigers: 2004-present Position(s): C/OF High School/Graduation Year: Springfield High School - Class of 2005 College: Gustavus Adolphus College Best Part Of Playing Amateur Baseball: hanging out with the team - LOVE YOU GUYS Thoughts On Kyle Kraska: what can you say about a guy who's nickname is TIC TIC - the guy brings pinash to our team, and more opportunity for jokes. Other baseball experience (coaching, other teams): Summer rec coach, GAC baseball, baseball from spring through late summer for the majority of my life Favorite Baseball Memory: pitching a game junior year in high school and laughing at Chuck after taking a foul tip to an important region of the male species Worst Baseball Memory: losing that final game senior year Favorite Baseball Movie: Field of Dreams, Bull Durham, Major league I and II, The Natural Person Most Responsible For Developing Your Love For The Game Of Baseball: Everyone I am around I learn something from that will help me develop as a player and person. But if I had to pick some: John Moritz, Brady Schwab, Bob "Hollywood" Fink, Marty Brandl Best Teammate You've Ever Played With: too hard to pick just one Favorite Song: Dave Matthews Band - Lie in Our Graves Favorite Food: ice cream, pastas Favorite Movie: Miracle Family: parents: John & Judy, sisters: Katy, Becky, brother: Chris, brother-in-law: Graeme Job: carpentry/construction in the summer Random Fact: In the acceleration phase of a pitchers throw, the arm is capable of rotating at a speed of 7000 degrees per second Parting Thoughts: I never got to bat in the major leagues. I would have liked to have had that chance. Just once. To stare down a big league pitcher. To stare him down, and just as he goes into his windup, wink. Make him think you know something he doesn't. That's what I wish for. Chance to squint at a sky so blue that it hurts your eyes just to look at it. To feel the tingling in your arm as you connect with the ball. To run the bases - stretch a double into a triple, and flop face-first into third, wrap your arms around the bag.

#4 Ryan Sturm Nickname: Sturmy Bat/Throw: R/R Birthday: 7/17 Years Playing With The Tigers: 2001-present Position(s): 1B High School/Graduation Year: Springfield High School - Class of 2002 College: THE St. Cloud State University Best Part Of Playing Amateur Baseball: There are a lot of things I enjoy about amateur ball but the most important part is the fact that i get to play in front of my parents. Thoughts On Kyle Kraska: The guy gets "stuff" done. He's a gamer, no doubt about it. Probably one of the most clutch performers I have ever played with and pretty glad that he's on my team or I would probably have our pitchers throw at him...just kidding Krack. Other baseball experience (coaching, other teams): 4 years at THE St. Cloud State University Favorite Baseball Memory: The 2007 NCC Tournament Worst Baseball Memory: Has not happened yet, but it's coming up when I play my last game in a Huskies Uniform Favorite Baseball Movie: For the Love of the Game Person Most Responsible For Developing Your Love For The Game Of Baseball: My parents Best Teammate You've Ever Played With: There are a lot of them out there but I would have to say Kyle Resser. Favorite Song: Growing Pains - Ludacris Favorite Food: Chipotle Chicken Fajita Burrito Favorite Movie: Boondock Saints Family: I am the baby of 6. Robert and Sharon (parents) Mary, Karie, Randy, Ann, and Shauna. Job: Summer internship Random Fact: The male praying mantis cannot copulate while its head is attached to its body. The female initiates by ripping the male's head off. Parting Thoughts: It would suck to be a male praying mantis.

#5 Brandon Wilhelmi Nickname: Willie, Chuck Bat/Throw: R/R Birthday: 11/16 Years Playing With The Tigers: 2002 - present Position(s): C/P/OF High School/Graduation Year: Springfield High School - 2004 College: Southwest Minnesota State University Best Part Of Playing Amateur Baseball: Hanging out with the guys on and off the field. Thoughts On Kyle Kraska: He is nuts. I mean really nuts. Good to have a guy with bazaar stories that we all know aren't true, but its fun to let him feel good about himself. Other baseball experience (coaching, other teams): Four years of playing at SMSU, Legion Baseball coach Favorite Baseball Memory: District Tournament...hitting the crap out of the ball...game winning hit... Worst Baseball Memory: Thinking I could stop the ball with my face, and it took me more than once to realize that I could, but I wasn't very successful in doing so. Favorite Baseball Movie: Bull Durham, Angels in the Outfield Person Most Responsible For Developing Your Love For The Game Of Baseball: Dad and Mom. Dad made me work my butt off. Best Teammate You've Ever Played With: Played with a lot of great guys over the years, but I'd have to say being able to play with my dad is pretty sweet. Favorite Song: Boom! It's On - Ying Yang Twins Favorite Food: Steak Favorite Movie: Shooter, Sniper, 2, 3 Family: Al, Betty, Me, Tiff, and Katie is pretty much it's just not official yet ;) and a few dogs. Job: G&S Construction Random Fact: Loons can fly at over 75 mph Parting Thoughts: There is only one way......Balls to the Walls..........

#6 Matt Baier Nickname: Matty B, Bear Bat/Throw: R/R Birthday: 10/19 Years Playing With The Tigers: 2005 - present Position(s): IF/OF High School/Graduation Year: Springfield High School - Class of 2006 College: Rochester Technical and Community College Best Part Of Playing Amateur Baseball: The team, the atmosphere, the game Thoughts On Kyle Kraska: Similar to Beer and Girls... Can't live with them, can't live without them! Other baseball experience (coaching, other teams): Active in College Favorite Baseball Memory: Every part of baseball! Worst Baseball Memory: Having been a part of talented teams that ended much shorter than they should have. Favorite Baseball Movie: For Love of The Game, Bull Durham, Sandlot, Field of Dreams Person Most Responsible For Developing Your Love For The Game Of Baseball: Dad, Coach Schwab, Close teammates Best Teammate You've Ever Played With: Schwabie Favorite Song: Tina Turner - Simply The Best Favorite Food: Tuna and Tomato Soup!! Favorite Movie: Please... Family: parents: Randy & Amy, siblings: Katie and Sam Random Fact: If you have 3 quarters, 4 pennies, and 4 dimes you have $1.19. You also have the largest amount of change that can't break a dollar! Parting Thoughts: No matter how good you are, you're going to lose one-third of your games. No matter how bad you are, you're going to win one-third of your games. It's the other third that matters!

#7 Chris Moritz Nickname: C-Mo Bat/Throw: R/R Birthday: 10/6 Years Playing With The Tigers: 2008-present Position(s): IF/OF/P High School/Graduation Year: Springfield High School - Class of 2007 College: Mankato State University Best Part Of Playing Amateur Baseball: Just hanging out with the guys and shootin' the breeze Thoughts On Kyle Kraska: He is one crazy guy, and loves the game Other baseball experience (coaching, other teams): Playing baseball as long as I can remember. Favorite Baseball Memory: Beating GFW to win the Jr. Legion Tourney Worst Baseball Memory: Realizing that I was all done with baseball Favorite Baseball Movie: Field of Dreams Person Most Responsible For Developing Your Love For The Game Of Baseball: My father and my baseball coaches Best Teammate You've Ever Played With: too many to say Favorite Song: Right Said Fred - I'm Too Sexy Favorite Food: anything that is not school food Favorite Movie: 300 Family: parents: John & Judy, sisters: Katy, Becky, brother: Andrew, brother-in-law: Graeme Job: carpentry/construction in the summer for Chuck Roiger Construction Random Fact: I am transferring to Moorhead State University to play football. Parting Thoughts: when the going gets tough, the tough get going

#8 Brady Schwab Nickname: Schwabie/Coach Bat/Throw: L/R Birthday: 4/22 (Earth Day) Years Playing With The Tigers: 5 Position(s): IF/OF High School: Devils Lake High School - Devils Lake, ND College: Mayville State University, Waubonsee Community College, Lake Region State College Best Part Of Playing Amateur Baseball: still getting to lace them up - competition Thoughts On Kyle Kraska: plays the game right period Other baseball experience (coaching, other teams): Playing - Devils Lake Storm (Legion), Devils Lake Eagles (Amater - ND class AA state champs 1996), Ada Athletics - 2000-2002; Independent League - 2002 (3 games Coaching - Devils Lake Junior Varsity 1997; Devils Lake Babe Ruths 1998-1999; Devils Lake Eagles Amateur 1996-1999; Ada American Legion 2002; Springfield HS 2003-Present; Elite Baseball Academy Instructor 2007-Present; Camp/Clinic Instructor 1996-Present; Springfield VFW - Present Favorite Baseball Memory: playing hot box growing up in the back yards around town; the smell of pine tar and leather Worst Baseball Memory: Losing to go to the World Series in game three of a best of three series in the Super Regionals all four years in college Favorite Baseball Movie: Major League, Long Gone, Bull Durham, For the Love of the Game, the Jackie Robinson Story, Pride of the Yankees, etc... Person Most Responsible For Developing Your Love For The Game Of Baseball: Dad and Joel Barta Best Teammate You've Ever Played With: Jake Lauritsen & Brendan Harz Favorite Song: You Don't Know - 50 Cent, Eminem, Cashis, Lloyd Banks; Right Here Waiting - Richard Marx Favorite Food: Pepperoni Pizza & Hotdogs Favorite Movie: Any James Bond and Major League Family: wife - Lyndsey ~ married 12/27/03; children - Dru ~ born 5/30/06; baby on the way due in September Job: Teacher, Coach Random Fact: I have never paid more than $500 for a vehicle (my wife's Jeep excluded). I have put my left shoe on before my right shoe since I went 4-4 as a 16 year old in Legion baseball against a pitcher from Grand Forks who went pro. I have never once put the right shoe on first since. Parting Thoughts: Baseball is fun, how people define fun varies, but if you can't have fun playing baseball we may not be friends.

#9 Zach Sturm Bat/Throw: R/R Birthday: 2/8 Years Playing With The Tigers: 2008 - present Position(s): OF High School/Graduation Year: Springfield High School - Class of 2006 College: St. Cloud State University Other baseball experience (coaching, other teams): High School Favorite Baseball Memory: Legion baseball Favorite Baseball Movie: Major League Person Most Responsible For Developing Your Love For The Game Of Baseball: brothers: Chris & Nick, Dad Best Teammate You've Ever Played With: Hey, hey it's B.K. Favorite Food: pancakes Favorite Movie: Old School Family: parents: Pat & Beth, brothers: Chris & Nick Job: J & Z Painting Parting Thoughts: Windows, runs, and vinyl siding are a painter's nightmare

#10 Andy Neidt Nickname: Paul, Sage Bat/Throw: R/R Birthday: 4/17 Years Playing With The Tigers: 2007 - present Position(s): P/1B/OF High School/Graduation Year: Springfield High School - Class of 2006 College: Concordia College, Moorhead Best Part Of Playing Amateur Baseball: A chance to continue playing baseball in Springfield with good friends Thoughts On Kyle Kraska: I remember picking up a bat for the first time in nearly a year last summer to take batting practice, hoping to find my swing again. Pitching to me from about 40' away was Kyle, who I had never met and he probably didn't know I was a little rusty. I was just hoping to make contact at that point, yet Kyle felt the need to throw 90 mph and mix in his off speed pitches and bean balls. Needless to say, my first impression of the guy was not complimentary. I worked at the baseball field last summer where Kyle occasionally came down to give me some pointers for my job and sometimes even volunteer his time to help me with work. He also came down to Legion practice to give everyone advice, including myself. I remember completely changing my view of Kyle Kraska throughout the summer. He has always tried to help me with my baseball play (even when I didn't realize it) along with my job, and for that I can only say thank you Kyle. You are a generous and helpful guy. Other baseball experience (coaching, other teams): I have played on all of Springfield's youth summer teams and school teams while growing up from T-Ball to Legion and now Amateur Ball. I played midgets in Clements and have coached summer rec. baseball in Springfield. Favorite Baseball Memory: A couple of 1 or 2 hitters in Legion and growing up having something to do in the summers. Worst Baseball Memory: Getting hit by a 1 hopping line drive in the ribs and being beaned in the exact same spot in the same inning Favorite Baseball Movie: Rookie of the Year Person Most Responsible For Developing Your Love For The Game Of Baseball: My father and watching the town team greats growing up, some who still play today. Best Teammate You've Ever Played With: Jake Miesen, loved the game the most Favorite Song: Cheap Seats - Alabama Favorite Food: breakfast foods (pancakes, eggs, etc.) Favorite Movie: Super Bad Family: parents: Neil & Cheryl, sister: Alison Job: Biolife Plasma Services: donor Random Fact: One of pitcher Nolan Ryan's jockstraps recently sold at auction for $25,000. Parting Thoughts: Practice like you play so that when game time comes, all you have to do is play like you practiced.

#11 Marty Brandl Nickname: Marty B., Marty Baseball Bat/Throw: L/L Birthday: 10/17 Years Playing With The Tigers: 1998-2001, 2003-present Position(s): OF/DH High School/Graduation Year: Comfrey High School - Class of 1997 College: Southwest Minnesota State University Best Part Of Playing Amateur Baseball: getting to play the greatest game in the world with great people Thoughts On Kyle Kraska: Kyle brings something special to the team that had been missing since the days of Blair Gostonczik. He's the type of clutch and fiery player that you don't like to play against, but you love to have on your team. Other baseball experience (coaching, other teams): 1998-2001: Student Assistant SMSU, 19992000: Springfield Junior Bi-County Coach, 2001 Manager Favorite Baseball Memory: all the talk in the dugout Worst Baseball Memory: getting out on a base hit to centerfield in Gibbon when I thought the ball had been caught Favorite Baseball Movie: Field of Dreams, Major League 3: Back to the Minors, Fever Pitch Person Most Responsible For Developing Your Love For The Game Of Baseball: Bob Fink, the Minnesota Twins Best Teammate You've Ever Played With: Jon Diede - the most levelheaded player I've ever been around, no matter the situation, whether he's on the field or off it, Jon is the man. Favorite Song: Metallica - Enter Sandman, Motley Crue - Kickstart My Heart Favorite Food: eggs Favorite Movie: Tommy Boy, The Ultimate Gift, Forrest Gump, Billy Madison Family: wife: Tara, children: Brady & Ben, parents: Richard & Karen, brother: John, sisters: Christina and Liz Job: math teacher at BlueSky School Random Fact: owner of a video game collection with over 320 games, including every Nintendo system ever: NES through Wii, there is a room in my house dedicated to baseball Parting Thoughts: It is an honor and a pleasure to be playing for the Springfield Tigers. Even if gas hits $4/gallon, I can't think of a better way to spend my money!

#12 Bob Fink Nickname: Robert John, according to my good friend Andy Moritz, my new nickname is "Hollywood". Thanks, Andy....I like it. Bat/Throw: R/R Birthday: 4/25 Years Playing With The Tigers: 1992 - present ~ 27th year of playing amateur baseball Position(s): DH High School/Graduation Year: Melrose High School - Class of 1984 College: North Dakota State School of Science, Fegus Falls Community College, St. Cloud State University Best Part Of Playing Amateur Baseball: Impossible to narrow it down to one thing...competing, playing with players that I have coached, dugout talk, after the game social gatherings, listening to stories told by Kyle and Brady, it's a game that keeps me feeling young, playing playoff baseball, having my family in the stands watching, friendships developed over the years, and finally, watching Davis go off on umpires. Thoughts On Kyle Kraska: A "Player"...both on and off the field. Marty Baseball said it best, "Kyle is a player that you don't like to play against, but you love to have on your team. Favorite Baseball Memory: My first amateur baseball at-bat as a 13 year-old playing for Grey Eagle. I faced former Univ. of MN Gopher pitcher Roger Fredin and on the first pitch ripped a triple down the right field line. Worst Baseball Memory: 1) I hate to say it, but I must...yelling rather loudly when a ball is about to hit me while batting. Following that, looking into the dugout and seeing all the guys in the dugout (except my good friend Ryan Sturm) rolling on the ground in laughter. 2) Willy getting injured his sophmore season of high school baseball. Favorite Baseball Movie: Field of Dreams Person Most Responsible For Developing Your Love For The Game Of Baseball: My Dad and Dale "Lumber" Lindmeier...best head coach I ever played for. Best Teammate You've Ever Played With: Hopefully, I am allowed to pick more since I have played longer than most of you: Jesse Berg, Jon Diede, Steve Helget, and Marty Baseball. Favorite Song: We've Only Just Begun - Carpenters Favorite Food: Pizza and Hot Dogs Favorite Movie: Wedding Crashers Family: wife: Heidi, children: Alex, Taylor and Isaac Job: Teacher/Coach/Owner of Educational Resources of MN Random Fact: Baseball is the only place in life where a sacrifice is really appreciated. Parting Thoughts: 1) There are three things in my life which I really love: God, my family, and baseball. The only problem - once baseball starts, I change the order around a bit. 2) Why does everybody stand up and sing, "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" when they're already there?

#13 Jon Diede Nickname: Dieds, Diedster, River (college) Bat/Throw: R/R Birthday: 4/16 Years Playing With The Tigers: 11 Position(s): P/1B/2B/SS/3B/LF/CF/RF/DH High School/Graduation Year: Springfield High School - Class of 1997 College: University of Minnesota, Morris Best Part Of Playing Amateur Baseball: Getting to know and play against many of the same players year after year. Thoughts On Kyle Kraska: The name sounds familiar... Other baseball experience (coaching, other teams): Member of the U of M, Morris Cougars: 20002003, Springfield Summer Rec. Baseball Instr.: 1995-1997, Springfield Public Junior High baseball coach: 1999 Favorite Baseball Memory: The run to a 3rd place finish in the 1998 Amateur Tournament. Worst Baseball Memory: Trying to remember the last time I stole a base and finally coming to the conclusion that its better left alone. Favorite Baseball Movie: Field of Dreams, Pride of the Yankees, Eight Men Out Person Most Responsible For Developing Your Love For The Game Of Baseball: My entire family. A summer day rarely went by that didn't include a game of hotbox, pitch/hit, or a backyard game including at least a couple members of the family. Best Teammate You've Ever Played With: All are worthy of a mention, but the few who have rode along since day one - Marty, Robert John, Bergie, Davis - deserve props. Couldn't have survived without them. Favorite Song: Pearl Jam - Corduroy, Pink Floyd - Shine On You Crazy Diamond, The Replacements Alex Chilton Favorite Food: I eat everything Favorite Movie: This is Spinal Tap Family: wife: Joanne, son: Mason, parents: Jerry and Cheryl, sister: Kristen, brother: Todd Job: UPS Delivery Driver Random Fact: I completed this questionnare while licking my elbow! Parting Thoughts: Seriously! LICKING MY ELBOW!

#14 Steve Helget Nickname: Davis Bat/Throw: R/R Birthday: 9/25 Years Playing With The Tigers: 25 years Position(s): OF/IF/DH High School/Graduation Year: Comfrey High School - Class of 1983 College: Worthington Community College Best Part Of Playing Amateur Baseball: Competing and meeting all the players in the area. Thoughts On Kyle Kraska: Has his heart in the game on and off the field. Other baseball experience (coaching, other teams): Coach of Springfield Legion team 1999 to 2007. Help coaching Town Team for the past 17 years. Favorite Baseball Memory: Being up to bat and my son Tori yelling "Hit the ball dad!". Watching Dave Groebner crush 10 home runs in 12 games in the 1998 playoffs. Seeing Bob Fink go 15 for 26 in the 1998 State Tournament with 3 home runs. Watching Brent Weber pitching, striking out 15 or more numerous times. Going to the State Tournament 1992 - 1998 and back in 2007. Worst Baseball Memory: Losing to Granite Falls in the 1993 State Tournament, 1-0, to go to the finals. Favorite Baseball Movie: Field of Dreams, Major League Person Most Responsible For Developing Your Love For The Game Of Baseball: My dad who has been there for me since day one. Randy Baier for introducing me to Springfield Amateur baseball. Bob, Jesse, Jon, and Marty for keeping the ride going. Best Teammate You've Ever Played With: Being involved for over 25 years everyone becomes your best teammate. Favorite Song: "Another One Bites the Dust" and "Who the Hell is Alice" Favorite Food: Pizza and Steak Favorite Movie: no favorite movie, just favorite TV show: "Dukes of Hazzard" Family: wife Chris, daughter Kalley and son Tori Job: Car salesman for Kohls-Weelborg Chevrolet, Springfield Random Fact: I hate vegetables Parting Thoughts: Do not feed me anything green!!! It's pretty cool that I started playing Amateur baseball with Randy Baier in 1983 and 25 years later playing Town Team baseball with his son Matt.

#15 Adam Beers Nickname: Beersy Bat/Throw: R/R Birthday: 9/4 Years Playing With The Tigers: 2008 - present Position(s): OF High School/Graduation Year: Murray County Central - Class of 1997 College: Southwest State University, Gustavus Adolphus, University of Minnesota Best Part Of Playing Amateur Baseball: Teammates. Competition. Thoughts On Kyle Kraska: To be determined Other baseball experience (coaching, other teams): SSU, Gustavus teams and Hadley Buttermakers amateur team Favorite Baseball Memory: Teaching my son how to swing a bat Worst Baseball Memory: I've blocked them out Favorite Baseball Movie: Major League Person Most Responsible For Developing Your Love For The Game Of Baseball: Dad, Coach Boelter Best Teammate You've Ever Played With: T.J. Schmidt Favorite Song: Jack and Diane - John Mellencamp Favorite Food: Dominos Pizza Favorite Movie: The Bourne Identity Family: wife: Kate, son: Russell Job: Dentist Random Fact: A toothbrush should be kept at least 6 feet away from a toilet to avoid airborne particles resulting from the flush. Parting Thoughts: I'm looking forward to being part of the team and getting to know everyone.

#18 Bryant Krebs Nickname: BK Bat/Throw: R/R Birthday: 9/1 Years Playing With The Tigers: 2008 - present Position(s): P/OF High School/Graduation Year: Springfield High School - Class of 2006 College: U of M, North Hennepin Community College Best Part Of Playing Amateur Baseball: The game Thoughts On Kyle Kraska: He's alright, I guess Other baseball experience (coaching, other teams): High school Favorite Baseball Memory: Home run derbies in downtown Cobden!! Worst Baseball Memory: Final game senior year Favorite Baseball Movie: Major League Person Most Responsible For Developing Your Love For The Game Of Baseball: My dad, Jeff Cook, The Twins Best Teammate You've Ever Played With: Everyone that does anything possible to win. Favorite Song: MIKA - Lollipop Favorite Food: steak and beans Favorite Movie: Tommy Boy, Dumb & Dumber, Anchorman, American Gangster Family: parents: Allen (Butch) & Melissa, sister: Elizabeth, brothers: Derek & Trevor Job: plumber/construction - summer Random Fact: Right-handed people live, on average, nine years longer than left-handed people do.

#21 Jake Miesen Nickname: BB Bat/Throw: R/R Birthday: 7/19 Years Playing With The Tigers: 2007 - present Position(s): P/2B/OF (anywhere Davis puts me) High School/Graduation Year: Springfield High School - Class of 2006 College: Bemidji State University Best Part Of Playing Amateur Baseball: Putting on that Springfield uniform and playing in front of the best fans this side of the Cottonwood River Thoughts On Kyle Kraska: I would never allow my daughter near him! Other baseball experience (coaching, other teams): High School, College, Summer Rec. Coach Favorite Baseball Memory: Competing at the State Amateur Tourney, Pitching against #4 ranked Ouchita Baptist freshmen year of college Worst Baseball Memory: Losing the last playoff game my senior year Favorite Baseball Movie: Major League Person Most Responsible For Developing Your Love For The Game Of Baseball: My dad Best Teammate You've Ever Played With: The one and only Robert John Fink #16, but #1 in your heart! Favorite Song: Gettin' Jiggy Wit It - Will Smith Favorite Food: Anything Buffet Style Favorite Movie: Tommy Boy Family: parents: John & Ann, sister: Andrea Job: Jake Miesen Painting (If you can see it, I can paint it! Give me a call, 507-227-4216, FREE ESTIMATES!) Random Fact: I am a self-proclaimed ping-pong champion Parting Thoughts: It has always been an honor to be able to put on a Springfield uniform. I will cherish the many fond memories I have of playing baseball here for the rest of my life. I couldn't ask for better teammates and fans. I would also like to thank everyone that has worked so hard in helping make Springfield baseball a success. GO TIGERS!

#22 Matt Tews Nickname: Tews(er) Bat/Throw: R/R Birthday: 7/8 Years Playing With The Tigers: 4 Position(s): P/IF/OF High School/Graduation Year: Springfield High School - Class of 2004 College: University of Saint Thomas 2008, University of Minnesota Law School 2011 Best Part Of Playing Amateur Baseball: "People ask me what I do in winter when there's no baseball. I'll tell you what I do. I stare out the window and wait for spring." ~ Rogers Hornsby Thoughts On Kyle Kraska: Kyle Kraska is a great player with a heart of gold. Other baseball experience (coaching, other teams): Youth Baseball in Springfield (91-00), Clements Midgets (99), Springfield High School (00-04), Springfield Legion (01-05), University of Saint Thomas (04-07) Favorite Baseball Memory: Either beating Redwood Falls in Midgets upsetting MLBO in my senior year in the playoffs, or getting the game winning hit to put us in the State Tournament last year. Worst Baseball Memory: My 4 error inning in 8th grade at Searles or seeing my buddy Matt Shuld at St. Thomas break his leg pitching Favorite Baseball Movie: The Sandlot Person Most Responsible For Developing Your Love For The Game Of Baseball: My dad, Kirby Puckett, and Brad Radke Best Teammate You've Ever Played With: The Matt Bielen/Jordan Pidde connection. Definately the best bench chatter and bantor that I have ever heard. Favorite Song: Bed of Lies - Matchbox Twenty; That Summer - Garth Brooks; Holiday in Spain Counting Crows Favorite Food: Hamburger Helper Favorite Movie: Braveheart, Shawshank Redemption, Wedding Crashers, etc. Family: mom and dad: Janelle & Charles, brother: Michael Job: Office Assistant, UST College of Business Random Fact: I spent this January backpacking around Europe with 3 friends. We saw Munich, Salzburg, Innsbruck, Leitchenstein, Zurich, Bern, Interlaken, Milan, Venice, Florence, Pisa, Rome, Cinque Terre, Monaco, Nice, Cannes, Marseille, Barcelona, Seville, Cordoba, and Amsterdam. It was a cool time and we met people that were far crazier than the esteemed Kyle Kraska. Parting Thoughts: Motorhummer. And lets have a great summer.

#23 Chris Sturm Nickname: Sturm Bat/Throw: R/R Birthday: 6/27 Years Playing With The Tigers: 2006-present Position(s): OF/P High School/Graduation Year: Springfield High School - Class of 1998 College: SDSU Best Part Of Playing Amateur Baseball: The teammates Thoughts On Kyle Kraska: only believe 1/2 of what he says Other baseball experience (coaching, other teams): Parker, SD, Leavenworth, Spicer, MN Favorite Baseball Memory: '07 State Tourney Worst Baseball Memory: none Favorite Baseball Movie: Major League Person Most Responsible For Developing Your Love For The Game Of Baseball: Kyle Kraska Best Teammate You've Ever Played With: Jake Miesen Favorite Song: Back Where I Come From - Kenny Chesney Favorite Food: steak Favorite Movie: The Usual Suspects Family: parents: Pat & Beth, brothers: Nick and Zach Job: farming, seed sales Parting Thoughts: Swing hard, you just might hit it.

#25 Dave Groebner Nickname: Super Dave Bat/Throw: L/L Birthday: 5/9 Years Playing With The Tigers: 6 Position(s): OF/DH High School/Graduation Year: Springfield High School - Class of 1994 College: Iowa Lakes Best Part Of Playing Amateur Baseball: beer Thoughts On Kyle Kraska: Never met him Other baseball experience (coaching, other teams): none Favorite Baseball Memory: 3rd place in high school state tournament Worst Baseball Memory: none Favorite Baseball Movie: Major League Person Most Responsible For Developing Your Love For The Game Of Baseball: Lyle Gomarko Best Teammate You've Ever Played With: Phil Clennon Favorite Song: Take This Job Favorite Food: Tacos Favorite Movie: Twister Family: wife: Lori, children: Kennedy, Lexi, & Abbie Job: Schwartz Farms - Maintenance

#33 Jesse Berg Nickname: Bergie Bat/Throw: L/R Birthday: 10/25 Years Playing With The Tigers: 12 years Position(s): 3B/P currently, only position I haven't played during my career is CF High School/Graduation Year: Red Rock Central - Class of 1997 College: Rochester Community College, Iowa Lakes Community College, MN West Community College, THE St. Cloud State University ('04 Grad) Best Part Of Playing Amateur Baseball: the smell of pine tar, blowing a fastball past someone for strike three and staring at them while the catcher throws it around the horn, getting a clutch hit, the sound of the ball hitting a wood bat (when your teams hitting), being surrounded by a bunch of guys who love the game of baseball and know how the game should be played Thoughts On Kyle Kraska: First time I met him I thought he was full of "it", but later found out that he can back it up. Great ball player and good for some laughs as well. OK, enough about Tic Tic already... Other baseball experience (coaching, other teams): Red Rock Central HS ('93-'97), Iowa Lakes Community College ('98), assistant Coach at MW Comm. College ('99), St. Cloud St. ('02 for 5 weeks coach found out my college eligibility was used up, imagine that!), Head Coach - Springfield Amateur Baseball ('02-'07) Favorite Baseball Memory: All the State Amateur Baseball appearances I've been a part of as a player, coach, and draftee Worst Baseball Memory: Any loss in the playoffs, especially in an elimination game Favorite Baseball Movie: For Love of the Game, Bull Durham, Major League, Eight Men Out, 61* Person Most Responsible For Developing Your Love For The Game Of Baseball: My Dad, Bruce, no questions asked Best Teammate You've Ever Played With: Blair Gostonczik & Phil Clennon, both played with such high intensity and if they thought you weren't doing your job they'd let you know about it. They were right 95% of the time. Favorite Song: "Two Step" Dave Matthews Band, Live at Luther College Favorite Food: My Mom's pheasant casserole and pasta Favorite Movie: Forrest Gump Family: wife: Emily, son: Elway, daughter: Finnley Job: Quality Supervisor, for a Monsanto - Foundation Corn plant in Aplington, IA Random Fact: For a snack I enjoy eating uncooked elbow macaroni. I hold the majority of all major passing records for MN West Community College. The first time I can ever remember playing catch was with my Dad. I had to be maybe 4 or 5. He looked at me, grinned, and threw me a curve ball. I had never seen one of those before and as it got closer and closer I almost s!?# my pants. It drilled me in the right foot. From that moment on I knew I wanted to be a pitcher. Parting Thoughts: "Though the distance between bases has always been 90 feet and home plate has remained 17 inches wide, baseball is forever new; a new season, a new game, a new batter. It is constantly surprising, endlessly fascinating, and alternately enrapturing or heart-breaking." Mark Mulvoy - SI "Baseball is like a church. Many attend. Few understand." Leo Durocher

#40 Al Wilhelmi Nickname: Willie Bat/Throw: R/R Birthday: 8/26 Years Playing With The Tigers: 6 Position(s): IF/OF High School/Graduation Year: Morgan High School - Class of 1974 Best Part Of Playing Amateur Baseball: Getting to know players and their personalities (plus the stories some can tell) Thoughts On Kyle Kraska: Crazy, but loves baseball Other baseball experience (coaching, other teams): Coached Midgets in Clements, helped high school and Legion baseball, played and coached first and third in amateur ball Favorite Baseball Memory: Coaching Midgets and watching their progress and making it to State in Amateur baseball!! Worst Baseball Memory: Brandon was hit in the eye by a baseball in practice before high school playoffs. Favorite Baseball Movie: Bad News Bears Person Most Responsible For Developing Your Love For The Game Of Baseball: Myself...I loved all of the sports because of the competition Best Teammate You've Ever Played With: Brandon (because not many parents get a chance to play with children in a sport) Favorite Song: Little Willy - The Sweet Favorite Food: Think about it...Ballpark food (burgers, brats, chips and BEER) Favorite Movie: Don't really have one Family: My wife: Betty and children: Brandon and Tiffany Job: Feed Mill Manager (Watje Feed Service) in Clements Parting Thoughts: It's just a lot of fun being around a bunch guys who love playing the game of baseball the way it should be played...hard, but having fun doing it.