Bird Island Ends Faribault Winning Streak

The Bird Island Bullfrogs defeated Faribault 5-2 last night in first round action at the Charlie Larca Memorial Tournament in Jordan.

It was the 7th consecutive win for the Bullfrogs and ended Faribault's winning streak at 5 games.

The 8-team tournament features 7-inning games.

The Lakers scored 2 runs in the bottom of the first inning against the perennial powerhouse Bulffrogs after Danny Bomsta started the game by retiring the side on a ground out and two strikeouts.

Logan Swann, 2017 St. Cloud State graduate from Morgan, Mn, Redwood Valley High School started on the mound for Bird Island.

According to the SCSU website Swann did not pitch there but did have a career batting average over .300 in three seasons of action.

Aiden Tobin opened the bottom of the inning with 0-1 count grounder that resulted in an error that placed him at second base.

Danny Pierce was walked.  Joey Grote executred a sacrifice bunt to advance the runners into scoring position.

Matt Lane was hit by a 1-0 count pitch delivered to load the bases.

Austin Rendler walked bringing in a run,  Nick Rost flied out to left field but not deep enough to score a run.

Nate Rost was hit with a 1-0 count pitch scoring the second run.  A ground out ended the inning.  2 runs scored without the benefit of a hit.

Bomsta was dealing with two more strikeouts recorded in the second inning.

The top of the third inning Dylan Gass (Bethany Lutheran/BOLD) opened with a single. A fielder's choice, strikeout and pop out ended the inning.

Top of the 4th inning Bomsta issued a one out walk before recording another strikeout and catcher Tucker Alstead threw out a runner trying to steal second base.

Top of the 5th following a ground out two Bullfrogs walked followed by a fly out.

A two-out single was stroked by Nic Taylor (BLHS) scoring a run before a strikeout to end the threat.

Tobin singled to open the Lakers side of the 5th inning but he was anchored there with two strikeouts and a fly out to follow.

Top of the 6th inning opened with a 2-2 count single by Trent Athmann (Luther/BOLD).  who was bunted over to second base by James Woelfel (Bethel/BOLD).

There was a walk which ended Bomsta's day on the hill.

Joe Grote came in to pitch inheriting the two runners.  A pop out and strikeout ended the threat.

The Lakers went up and down in order in the bottom of the 6th .

Top of the 7th and scheduled final inning of the game started with a walk by Dylan Gass followed by a strikeout.

Then a single was hit stroked by Taylor, but an error allowed the tying run to advance to third base.

The game was tied on a 1-0 count passed ball.

A walk of Athmann placed runners at the corners.  A double by Woefel followed giving Bird Island the lead.

An 0-1 count single by Sagedahl brought in two more runs to give the Bullfrogs a cushion heading into the bottom of the final inning.

Bird Island brought in Jordan Sagedahl (South Dakota State/BOLD High School) to pitch. Faribault ended the game with a strikeout swinging, first pitch ground out and 2-1 count groundout.

Swann threw 6 innings with 2 hits allowed, both runs unearned, 2 walks, 4 strikeouts throwing 73 pitches, 50 strikes.

Sagedahl recorded 9 pitches, 6 strikes with one strikeout.

The SDSU website shows Sagedahl just concluded his junior season with a total of 8 1/3 innings pitched so far in his career.  Career batting average is .185.

Bomsta tallied 5 1/3 innings with 7 strikeouts, 4 walks, 3 hits, 1 earned run while throwing 82 pitches, 46 strikes.

Joey Grote took the loss after 1 2/3 innings of relief with 4 hits, 4 runs, 2 walks and 2 strikeouts.

The Lakers are now 13-8 and play at 12:15 p.m. this afternoon against Dodge County in the Elimination Bracket.  Winner plays for Consolation title Sunday at 11:00 a.m.

Bird Island (12-3) will tangle with host Jordan (17-1) at 7:00 p.m. tonight according to the tournament bracket posted on the Brewers website.

Jordan defeated Dodge County Thursday night 8-3 to set up the showdown,  The Brewers did defeat Bird Island 6-4 earlier this year at Bird Island.

The other Friday night game Waterville blanked the Prior Lake Mudcats 6-0 to advance on the other side of the bracket.

They play the winner of today's Hanska vs. Cold Spring game.