On a beautiful, blustery day at Union Hill the St Peter Saints took control and took home the Class A Championship trophy.  

Scott Zeiher went the distance for the Saints, scattering five hits while walking three and fanning four.  The Saints stopped potential Brave rallies turning three timely ground ball double plays. 

The Braves two runs came in the third inning when Dustin Gibbs reached on an infield error, Shawn Boyle and Chad Blaschko both walked to load the bases.  Gibbs scored as Mike Blaschko grounded into a double play.  Chad Anderson followed with a single scoring Boyle. 

Ken Schmidt started on the hill and lasted just six hitters.  He left after several line shots and a couple of wind-blown texas leaguers had loaded the bases with three runs already in.  Mike Blaschko took over and was solid.  He allowed just three runs on five hits, two walks, and a hit batter while fanning two in seven innings of work.

The Braves used great pitching, errorless defense and clutch hitting to gain a Class A semi-final win over Waconia.  Waconia had won a regular season contest in July by a 4-2 score 

Lynn Schwarz was on top of his game throwing a complete game shutout.  He scattered six hits, while walking one and fanning two.  He also led the hit parade with three of the Braves eight hits off the right handed slants of Waconia’s Collin Bender. 

In the second inning Tim Palmquist walked.  After two were out, Dustin Gibbs and Schwarz hit back-to-back doubles. 

In the fifth inning Schwarz led with a single and Chad Blaschko walked.  Both scored on a clutch two out double by Chad Anderson.

In the first round of the Class A bracket the Braves met the Jordan Millers, a team they lost to 5-3 back on June 6^th. 

Lefty Troy Mahoney of the Millers and the Brave’s Lynn Schwarz both competed on the hill in workhorse-like fashion.  Schwarz got the complete game win allowing four runs on seven hits, five walks and fanning five. 

Mark Simota led off the second with a walk and scored from first on a double in the left-centerfield gap by Brent Newman 

Trailing 4-1, Dustin Gibbs led off the fifth with a double over the left fielder’s head, Shawn Boyle reached on an infield error, Chad Blaschko singled home Gibbs.  After both baserunners moved up on a wild pitch, Chad Anderson hit a sac fly scoring Boyle and Tim Palmquist singled to score Blaschko. 

Schwarz pitched out of trouble with runners in scoring position in both the sixth and seventh innings. 

In the bottom of the seventh, both Mike Blaschko and Chad Anderson reached on infield errors.  Palmquist followed with a single up the middle to score Blaschko with the winning run.

The Braves were seeded 16^th out of 32 teams in the MSMABA State Tournament so they drew the number one seed as their first round opponent.  The winner would move on to the Class AA tournament and the loser to Class A tournament.  Shakopee was undefeated this summer (15-0) and seeded number one as they have rebuilt their team with an influx of  recent Chaska amateur players. 

Shakopee used fourteen hits, eight walks, two hit batters and three Brave errors to steamroll the locals.  They were impressive with line drive after line drive.  

Chief pitcher, Brad Keenan, allowed the Braves just two hits and four walks. Pete Plut and Mike Blaschko shared the mound duties for Le Center.

What a difference a day makes as things snow-balled against the Braves in a six inning game shortened by the ten-run rule.  The Braves hit groundballs and flyballs but could only muster three hits against the right-handed slants of Lonsdale’s Barry Popp.  The Jokers played flawless inspired defense behind Popp. 

Meanwhile the Joker offense pounded out fifteen hits.  Tom Popp had a day with two homeruns and a double. 

Lynn Schwarz started on the mound for the Braves allowing eight runs on eleven hits, walking one and fanning three.  Ken Schmidt followed allowing two runs on four hits in an inning and a third.

The Braves scored early and often to jump out and take control of a game shortened by the ten-run rule with Brooklyn Park.  The Braves timely hitting took advantage of a few walks and three errors and the runs snow-balled. 

With one out in the first inning, Mike Blaschko walked, Chad Anderson doubled and Tim Palmquist walked.  With two out, Lynn Schwarz singled, Pete Plut walked, Dustin Gibbs reached on an infield error, Shawn Boyle singled, and Mike Krenik singled as did Chad Blaschko. 

In the second inning, Anderson reached on an infield error, Palmquist walked and Gary Schloesser doubled home both base runners.  Schloesser move to third on a ground out and scored as Plut reached on an infield error. 

Plut took the mound for the Braves allowing two hits, four walks and hitting two batters while fanning three over four and two-thirds innings.  Ken Schmidt relieved to get the final out.

The Braves had an exciting walk off win on a hot, muggy night at Ray Plut Field in Le Center.  With the Braves trailing 4-3 Chad Blaschko led off the home seventh with a walk, Mike Blaschko singled him to third and proceeded to steal second base.  Chad Anderson followed with a gap shot double to plate both base runners for the win. 

The Braves first three runs came in the third as Lynn Schwarz singled, Shawn Boyle and Russ Ehlers walked to load the bases.  Chad Blaschko hit into an infielder’s choice to score Schwarz.  Boyle scored on a wild pitch.  Mike Blaschko hit a sac fly to right to score Chad Blaschko.  Anderson reached on a infield error and Gary Schloesser and Mark Simota both walked to load the bases but were stranded. 

Dan Quinlan (4) and Kurt Sneide (3) shared the mound duties for the Grays. 

Mike Blaschko started on the hill for the Braves going four innings allowing four runs on four hits and three walks while fanning three.  Ken Schmidt hurled the final three innings scattering two hits and hitting a batter.

The Braves paired timely hitting with some free passes and two errant pitches to break open a highly competitive and well played game.  The Bullheads had numerous hard hit balls.  The Brave defense was equal to the task with several nice catches, turning a nice infield double play and an outfield assist at third base. 

Lynn Schwarz went the distance scattering eight hits and a walk while fanning three.

Good pitch location and changing speeds kept the Bullhead hitters off balance. 

In the bottom of the first Chad Blaschko walked, Mike Blaschko singled and Tim Palmquist was hit by a pitch to load the bases.  Chad Anderson singled in two runs.    Palmquist scored as Gary Schloesser singled but Anderson was thrown out at the plate.  Mark Simota reached on an infield error and Shawn Boyle singled to again load the bases but they remained so. 

Leading just 3-1 in the home half of the fifth, Palmquist singled and Chad Anderson walked.  At that point Bullhead starter Kevin Hulke was relieved by Dave Fauth.  After a pickoff play at second, Schloesser doubled home Anderson, Simota singled Schloesser to third, Boyle walked, Schloesser scored on a wild pitch, Chad Blaschko walked and Mike Krenik courtesy running for Simota scored on a passed ball.  Mike Blaschko singled in both Boyle and Chad Blaschko with key insurance runs.

Offense sells tickets but defense wins games.  The Braves had numerous baserunners early in the game, but struggled to score.  Only because of some great defensive plays the locals stayed in the game until the runs came.  The Tiger third inning ended on a great fully extended diving catch in right-centerfield by Chad Blaschko.  The Tiger fourth inning ended on a terrific fully extended diving catch of a shot over the second base bag by Mike Blaschko.  The Tiger fifth inning ended on a very nicely executed step on third, throw to first double play by Gary Schloesser. 

The Brave’s only early run came in the third when Chad Blaschko singled, stole second and scored on a double by Mike Blaschko. 

Trailing 3-1 entering the seventh inning, Chad Blaschko doubled, Brent Newman doubled, Mike Blaschko walked and Tim Palmquist hit into a fielder’s choice.   Schloesser, Mark Simota, Shawn Boyle and Paul Factor all followed with singles.  Steve Biehn and Newman walked and Mike Blaschko singled. 

Ken Schmidt went the distance for the locals allowing three runs, scattering ten hits and a walk while fanning two.

Waconia built up a 4-0 lead behind the no-hit pitching of Kirk Vergin.  He tired in the seventh inning walking Mike Blasckko, Mark Simota, Chad Anderson and Ken Schmidt to force in a run.  He was relieved with two outs, the Islanders leading 4-1 and a no-hitter in progress.  The Brave’s Shawn Boyle welcomed the new pitcher with a single making it 4-2.  The game ended with the sacks full of Braves. 

Pete Plut started on the hill going three innings, allowing four runs on three hits and six walks with two strikeouts.  Schmidt hurled four innings of relief allowing a hit and a walk while fanning one.

The Braves were disappointingly shutout for the third time this season. 

Vulcan lefty, Curt Boltman, allowed just five hits and walked none 

The Vulcans made very efficient use of their opportunities.  In the third they bunched a single, four walks and a double to plate five.  In the fourth they scored on a walk, steal and an error.  In the sixth, they bunched three singles and an error to score two more runs. 

Mike Blaschko went the distance for the Braves allowing eight hits, walking five and fanning six.

The Braves dug a small hole in the early innings so matching the Bandits run for run left them on the short end of a 5-3 score. 

Down 3-0 in the fourth, Gary Schloesser reached on an infield error, move up a base  twice on fielder’s choices and scored on a Dustin Gibbs single. 

In the Fifth, Chad Blaschko walked, stole second and scored on a single by Tim Palmquist. 

In the Sixth, Shawn Boyle singled and took second as the outfielder misplayed the ball. Gibbs followed with an RBI double. 

Lynn Schwarz went the distance for the locals allowing eleven hits and three walks while fanning three.

After the Millers tallied a run in the top of the first inning the Braves replied with four big runs of their own.  Chad Blaschko walked, Chad Anderson singled, Mike Blaschko doubled into the left centerfield gap, Brent Newman, Paul Factor and Shawn Boyle all singled, 

In the bottom of the sixth it was insurance run time.  With two outs Mike Blaschko walked, Newman singled and Gary Schloesser brought both home with a double down the right field line.  

That importantly increased the lead to 6-2 as the Millers rallied in the seventh.  They loaded the bases with no one out.  A fielder’s choice and a double played limited the rally to a single run. 

Mike Blaschko pitched very well allowing three runs on six hits, three walks and hit a batter.  He did work out of several Miller threats and did fan seven Miller hitters as he worked into the seventh.  Ken Schmidt relieved in the seventh allowing a hit. 

Alex Tava, a tall southpaw, went the distance for the Millers yielding nine hits and seven walks while fanning twelve Braves.

The Braves put up a four spot in the second inning. Mark Simota singled, Shawn Boyle walked, and Dustin Gibbs was hit by a pitch to load the bases.  The locals capitalized as Paul Factor singled home two runs, Lynn Schwarz had an RBI sacrifice fly, Ken Schmidt and Chad Blaschko both walked and Factor scored on a wild pitch. 

Brent Newman added a run in the third as he walked and reached second on a fielder’s choice. After Schloesser was hit by a pitch Simota singled Newman home. 

Schwarz went five innings for the win allowing one run on five hits and two walks, while fanning one.  Schmidt pitched two innings of relief yielding a run on two hits 

The Braves could muster up only three hits (singles by Brent Newman, Gary Schloesser and Paul Tate) against three Saint’s hurlers that combined for the shutout.  

Lynn Schwarz went the distance allowing seven hits and walking two while fanning one.  

The big negative for the locals where four costly errors, three of which came in the third inning aiding four unearned runs.

Thirteen was a common number in all the wrong places, Chief runs, Chief walks and Brave strikeouts.

Brad Keenan hurled a complete game gem for Shakopee allowing just two hits and issuing no free passes.

Chad Blaschko and Chad Anderson had the lone Brave singles. 

Russ Ehlers started on the hill for the locals going two innings, allowing four runs, on two hits, six walks and a hit batter.  Ken Schmidt tossed four innings yielding four runs on six hits and two walks, with three strikeouts.  Brent Newman went a third of an inning issuing five walks and a strikeout.  Schmidt wrapped the final two thirds of an inning.

The Braves put forth a solid effort at Bell Field in Faribault.  The thirteen hit attack was led by Mike Blaschko’s three hits and two hits each by Chad Anderson, Chip Schloesser, Mark Simota and Dustin Gibbs. 

Mike Blaschko started on the hill and hurled 4 2/3 innings allowing one run, on four hits and two walks, while fanning six.  Ken Schmidt tossed 2 1/3 innings yielding a hit and a walk. 

Shawn Boyle reached on a fielders choice in the second inning, stole second and scored on a Gibbs single.

Lynn Schwarz and Chad Blaschko followed with singles to plate Gibbs 

In the third, Anderson singled, Tim Palmquist walked, Schloesser singled, Simota singled, Boyle reached on a fileder’s choice and Gibbs singled to push across three runs. 

In the sixth, Chad Blaschko walked, advanced on a wild pitch and scored on Mike Blaschko’s third single of the game. 

The Braves are now 3-1 in River Valley League play and 3-3 overall.  Check www.msmaba.com for updated scores and standings.

The Braves played solid baseball to pick up their second win of the weekend. 

Lynn Schwarz hurled the first six innings allowing four hits, walking one and fanning nine.  Mike Blaschko pitched a clean seventh with two strikeouts. 

The locals broke the ice in the third.  Mark Simota led off with a single but was erased  on a nifty double play.  With two out, Dustin Gibbs singled, Chad Blaschko walked, Mike Blaschko was hit by a pitch to load the bases.  Gary Schloesser delivered a two run single to plate Gibbs and Blaschko. 

In the fourth, Brent Newman and Shawn Boyle both walked.  Simota, Gibbs, Chad Blaschko and Mike Blaschko all singled producing four runs. 

Tim Palmquist led off the fifth by reaching on an error. Chad Anderson singled and Boyle walked to load the bases.  Simota hit into a ground ball fielder’s choice to score an insurance run.

The Braves broke open a tight game with three big runs in the third and two insurance runs in the sixth for an 8-2 win over Webster. 

After Webster plated a run in the top of the first the Braves answered back with three in their half of the frame.   With two out, Brent Newman singled and stole second.  Pete Plut and Mark Simota both walked.  Lynn Schwarz singled in two runs and Simota scored when Dustin Gibbs reached on a Wildkat error. 

In the third inning Chad Blaschko doubled, Mike Blaschko singled, Newman reached on an error, Plut singled, Simota reached on a fielder’s choice and Schwarz singled. 

It was insurance time in the sixth as Newman was hit by a pitch, Plut doubled and Gibbs doubled.  

Plut went the distance on the hill allowing three hits and three walks while fanning seven.

In a game highlighted with many hard hit balls (at ‘em balls) and a plethora of fine defensive plays the Braves couldn’t get that opportune clutch hit. 

Lynn Schwartz settled down after the first two innings and followed with five shutout innings keeping the locals in the ballgame. 

Trailing 5-0 the Braves got on the board in the fifth when Mark Simota singled, Chad Blaschko and Chad Anderson both walked to load the bases.  Gary Schloesser singled in one run and Shawn Boyle forced one in being hit by a pitch.  Pete Plut hit a line drive headed for left field but was nabbed by a horizontal Miller shortstop.  That play saved two runs.  

In the sixth Dustin Gibbs walked, went to second on a wild pitch and scored on Blaschko’s RBI single.

In a home exhibition game the Eagles broke loose with a five spot in their half of the seventh inning to break open the game and take home the win. 

The Braves jumped out with two first inning runs when Chad Blaschlko walked, Tim Palmquist doubled and Chad Anderson, Lynn Schwarz and Mark Simota all walked. 

In the fifth Ken Schmidt was hit by a pitch, Paul Factor and Blaschko walked, and two runs scored on an errant throw during a double play attempt. 

The last run scored when Dustin Gibbs, Simota and Shawn Boyle all walked and Russ Ehlers followed with a single. 

Schmidt, Ehlers, Simota and Gibbs shared the mound duties for the Braves.

The Braves opened their season with an exhibition game at Union Hill.  It was a tight contest with the Braves leaving the bases loaded at the final out. 

The offense was led by Tim Palmquist with two singles.  One vary noticeable statistic was the Pitbull’s one strikeout versus the Braves’s having thirteen. 

Russ Ehlers, Pete Plut, Ken Schmidt and Mike Blaschko shared the mound duties.