Eagan Returns Favor With Rebound Over Athletics

Mark Berger hits a single in the 7th inning.

What a difference a week can make. After thumping Eagan on their own field just before the 4th of July break, the Bandits came to Lakeville and returned the favor on Saturday with a 13-1 spanking of the Athletics. The last game played for Lakeville before the break was a 16-8 win over Eagan. The first game after the break they faced Eagan once again, but this time it was the opposite end of the spectrum with the Bandits dishing out the runs. The irony to both games was that the exact same pitcher started for Eagan, but this time instead of being shelled for hits, he held Lakeville to just two in 7 innings of work. This time he found the edge of the plate and lived there all afternoon as the Athletics struggled in their series finale.

Bergie safely beats a wild throw at 1st.

Lakeville did hit the ball well, but it was a case of "at 'em ball" as they pounded out ten fly-outs, as well as a scorched liner into right by Kevin George that the Bandits defender made a great catch on. Justin Hahn found a similar fate as the fleet Eagan right fielder ran down a hard hit ball that would've been extra bases on the line. Both George and Hahn hit the ball well, but again, finding leather each time.

The only hits in the game came from shortstop Eddie Golom and centerfielder Mark Berger. The game was quite a dichotomy for the Athletics offense, going from twenty hits against Eagan the week before to just two on Saturday.

Eddie Golom rips a single in the 3rd inning.

Golom collected his hit, a single to center, in the 3rd inning. Berger beat out an infield single to the 3rd baseman in the 7th.

Lakeville did not get a man into scoring position until the 6th inning, when they had runners at 1st and 2nd. They loaded the bags in the 8th, twice, scoring Eddie Golom from 3rd when right fielder John Degerness was hit-by-pitch. Jeff Farr reached 2nd on a throwing error in the 9th, but that was it for scoring opportunities for Lakeville.

Jeff Farr pitches in the 6th.

Jeff Farr started on the hill for Lakeville, surrendering ten hits and seven runs in six innings of work. Two of the runs were unearned due to errors. Ben Elliot pitched 2 1/3rd innings, allowing just one hit, but he walked five as six Bandits scored, three of the runs unearned because of errors. John Degerness came on in relief in the 9th and pitched 2/3rds of an inning, giving up just one hit as he helped the Athletics escape the inning.

Justin Hahn throws to Eddie Golom to start a 4-6-3 double-play in the 5th inning.

Defensively it was a rough day on the field as Lakeville kicked the ball six times, but some defensive gems were turned in nevertheless. First baseman Josh Storm made a nice catch of a liner in foul territory, then lunged back to the bag to make a great diving tag for a double play in the 1st inning. Trent Larson caught a live liner in the 4th that seemed to have a life of its own as it tailed away from him. Justin Hahn made a terrific stop at 2nd and started a 4-6-3 double play in the 5th. Eddie Golom made a quick grab and throw from short to get the runner at 1st base in the 7th. Third baseman Trent Larson picked up his second defensive highlight, fielding a hard to handle shot in the 8th inning and getting the lead run at 2nd for the out.

Josh Storm calls for a pop-up in foul territory in the 3rd inning.

The Bandits out-hit the Athletics 13 to 2 on the afternoon.

Collecting hits for the Athletics were...

• Mark Berger 1 for 3, BB
• Eddie Golom 1 for 4, HBP, OBE, R

The next game for the Athletics is Sunday at Lakeville South against the Minneapolis Rocks at 5:00.

(L-R) Mark Berger, Justin Hahn and Josh Storm await the pitch in the 5th inning.