June 10, 2021 at 1:12 p.m.
Eagles closeout baseball season
On Tuesday, May 27 they played host to the Lake of the Woods Bears in the opening round of Subsection play. The Eagles would score in every inning but one as they outscored the Bears 15-6. The game was closer than the final would indicate as the Bears hung close through 5 innings at 10-6, until the Eagles pushed across five in bottom of the sixth to gain the nine run advantage.
A solid start by Zak Nornberg held the Bears in check while the offense ran wild on the bases. Leading the way on offense were Nornberg and Marcus Woods both 3-4, Cooper Kovall 2-3 and Austin Likens 2-5 getting the bulk of the teams 12 hits. The win put the team into the Subsection semifinals on Thursday in Bemidji.
A 9:00 a.m. start time versus #1 seed Walker-Hackensack-Akeley Wolves was first up for the Eagles. Either the early start time or some good pitching by the Wolves, limited the Eagles to only 2 hits in the game, one each by Woods and Evan Daudt, and five total batters reaching base. Likens kept the Eagles close as after 4 innings the game was still 2-0 before W-H-A would score 3 in bottom of the 5th to break open the game. The Eagles would score two in the top of the seventh and had the tying run in the on deck circle as the game ended in a 6-2 defeat. The loss meant the boys would play for 3rd place and keep their season alive.
After the early morning start the boys would need to wait until nearly 5:00 p.m. to play their next game versus the Blackduck Drakes.
Nornberg got the start and once again pitched brilliantly for the Eagles on only two days rest. Down only 1-0 in the bottom of the 4th, a close play at first loaded the bases, a misplayed hit and a bases clearing double by the Drakes would give them a 5-0 lead after 4 innings. The Drake pitcher had the Eagle batters off balance all game as the Eagles fell 7-0. Nornberg had half the teams 6 hits as he went 3-3 at the plate with a triple. The loss ended the Eagle season with a record of 11-7.
Although greatly disappointed in how the season ended, this team can look back and see the improvement it has made over previous seasons, not only in victories but also in personal performance. The 11 wins were the most for the team since 2010. A team batting average of .333, team ERA of 3.25, 94 stolen bases in 102 attempts, more power throughout the lineup as doubles, triples and homeruns up over previous two seasons. The school's first ever Northern Lakes Conference Championship, first time in at least ten years in winning the Deer River Invitational Tournament. The boys have a lot to be proud of.
Individually, regular season awards went to; Silver Slugger (batting champion) - Austin Likens, .482 average; Cy Young (outstanding pitcher)- Zak Nornberg, 4 wins, 3 saves, ERA less than 1.70 per game; Most Improved- Dustin Sepin last season was a defensive player only this season flirted with .400 average for most of season; and MVP - Zak Nornberg P/SS, who along with his pitching stats, finished the season with a .479 batting average, led the team in doubles (5), triples (3), RBI (17) and stolen bases (24) and along with fellow Senior Austin Likens P/SS (3 wins, 2.75 ERA, 8 SB) were the teams co-captains.
The team loses 4 year starters in Seniors Likens and Nornberg and even with little feet, theirs will be big shoes to fill for the Eagles. But, as with all teams, the underclassmen will now move up to become upperclassmen and assume the roles of leaders and producers for the team.
Returning for the Eagles;
Juniors- all 3-year starters- Evan Daudt 1B/OF, .379 avg., 13 SB; Tyler Daudt, OF, .250 avg, OBP .353 and great improvement on defense; Justin Wicks C/P. .296 avg., 16 RBI, 2 wins, 21% baserunners thrown out; and Marcus Woods OF, .346 avg- over 140 points better than last season, 10 RBI and a rock in CF.
Sophomores- Dustin Sepin OF, .352 avg, 15 SB who after last season not getting many at bats moved into the #2 slot in the lineup; Michael Johnson 1B/DH, had an .381 OBP with 10 BB and got his first action on the mound this year; First year player Benji Swankier, who did not see much action but kept all players loose with his knowledge of the game!; Frankie Smith was lost just two games into the season with a broken leg and we hope to see him back next season.
Freshman- Cooper Kovall 3B/C- .250 avg., 10 SB; showed steady improvement in playing the 3B position and behind the plate; Zach Greene 2B- played mostly on defense but will be looked upon next year to provide spark for the offense.
Two 7th graders- Dane Sepin and Andrew Holtz filled out the roster and although did not see much action in the field hopefully gained some experience from being around the varsity players.
Coach Ben Kinser commented, "This was by far my most gratifying season as head coach, just to see the improvement in these players from last season is something I hope they are as proud of as I am. I could not have asked much more than what the two seniors, Zak and Austin, provided this team not only this season but for four years as leaders on this team."
"I would also like to thank my student managers Cody Daudt, Rainy Campbell and McKenna Shepard, along with assistant Coach Scott Wicks and Jr. High Coach Brian Bennett for all that they do throughout the season."
The players and coaches also wish to thank any and all parents and fans that put up with the rain/snow/cold and then hot sun for what turned out to be one heck of a fun season.
[[In-content Ad]]
Comments:
You must login to comment.