The Cannon Falls Bears came from behind to defeat the Faribault Lakers 4-3 Wednesday night at John Burch Park in Cannon Falls.  It was a perfect weather night for baseball and the Bear hot dogs were so juicy.  Both teams had their chances to score more runs but both teams were without a number of their regular starters.

Laker Ryan Archambault told us during the Harley's Auto Salvage of Faribault keys to the game interview it was good other players could get some at bats and innings pitched in the game against an opponent not in their league.  The Bears and Lakers have been to the state tournament more often then not over the last few years.  Bears Manager Ryan "Bubba" Brintnall said during the Vasa Spring Garden Mutual keys for his team they've struggled a bit but have been coming around lately.

Cannon Falls won a couple of games in their Josh Harrison Memorial Tournament last week and the victory Wednesday against Faribault gave them a 7-9 record.  The Bears are at Red Wing 7:30 p.m. Friday, host Hampton Sunday and entertain Randolph in their annual game on the fourth of July.  Both games have 2:00 p.m. starts.

Faribault scored two runs in the first inning and probably should have scored more with four of their 8 hits clubbed in the inning off Cannon Falls right handed starter Collin Chalmers.  The Rosemount High School graduate is listed on the Bears roster as 6'3 180 pounds.

Mitch Johnson led the game off for Faribault with a solid single on an 0-2 count, Derek Ritter smacked the first pitch he saw for a base hit and the Lakers were in business with runners at first and second and no outs.  After a fly out Mike Carpentier had a base hit to left center and Johnson left second base too late and was easily thrown out at third base for the second out.  It looked like Faribault might not score when they had runners at first and second and nobody out.

Lakers starting pitcher Porter Sartor had a great at bat fighting off some pitches before clubbing a two RBI double to give his team the early lead.

The Bears squandered a scoring opportunity in the first with the bases loaded.  After a strike out shortstop Brock Peterson  had a single, third baseman Rich Burr was hit by a pitch and Carlton Lindow singled.  First baseman Peter Haggerty had a swinging bunt that Laker catcher Dylan Valentyn grabbed and stepped on home plate for the force out.

Laker Jake Stocker was walked on four pitches to start the top of the second inning and was wild pitched to second base.  Following a strikeoout and a fly out it looked like Faribault was going to waste another scoring chance.  Johnson was walked, Ritter hit a grounder and the bags were juiced with number three hitter Ryan Archambault stepping to the plate.  Archambault worked the count to 3-1 and walked to make it 3-0.

Little did the Lakers know it would be the last run they would score.

In the bottom of the second inning Bear designated hitter Tyler Quinlan stroked a single to start the inning.  The next batter struck out and the number nine hitter Zeke Williams was walked.  Braxton Lindow hit a grounder resulting in the second out on a fielder's choice.  Brock Peterson smashed a two RBI double and was tagged out after getting caught in a run down between second and third.

The Lakers would get the lead batter on base in the third and fourth innings and not score.  In the third, Sartor led the inning with a single and would end the inning standing at third base.  A two out single was delivered by Dylan Valentyn to place runners at the corners with two outs but a ground out ended that threat.

In the fourth the Bears brought in veteran right handed pitcher Luke Winchell and he threw the remaining innings of the game.  Winchell started a bit shaky with two walks of the first three batters faced but then was lights out good.  With runners at first and second he struck out the fourth and fifth batters in the Faribault order to end the inning.

The Lakers would get just three more base runners following that.  After retiring nine batters in a row Winchell hit Carpentier with a pitch in the 7th, Valentyn clubbed his second hit of the game in the 8th inning and Carpentier had his second hit of the game in the top of the ninth.

Porter Sartor went the first three innings for Faribault and threw 63 pitches, 38 for strikes according to our Chappuis Jewelers of Faribault pitch count.  Lefty Peyton Miller pitched into and out of jams the fourth through the 7th inning allowing the tying run in the 7th.  It was an unearned run thanks to an error. Miller threw 66 pitches in his four innings with 36 strikes.

Right handed Jim Roberts pitched the 8th for Faribault and walked Braxton Lindow to start the inning.  After back to back strike outs looking Carlton Lindow hit a grounder resulting in an error.  Peter Haggerty delivered the game winning hit scoring Braxton Lindow.  The third out was also recorded via a strikeout looking.

The Lakers had four errors in the game and the Bears none.  Faribault had an error in each inning 5th through 8th.

Winchell got the win and Roberts was tagged with the loss.

Faribault hosts St. Benedict Friday at 7:30 p.m. then sees St. Patrick come to Bell Field Sunday for a doubleheader.  The first game will feature recognition of alumni and between games a sign that looks like a baseball will be placed on the press box in honor and memory of legendary Hall of Fame KDHL Sportscaster Mike Morrissey.

KDHL will be broadcasting the first game of the doubleheader and the Morrissey ball dedication ceremony.  We hope to have some of the alumni in attendance join us for the broadcast to take a little trip down memory lane.  Coverage begins 12:45 p.m. with a 1:00 p.m. first pitch..

John Burch Park Cannon Falls Follow Faribault Game- photo by Gordy Kosfeld
John Burch Park Cannon Falls Follow Faribault Game- photo by Gordy Kosfeld
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