LoGators put together four wins in busy week

The Champlin Park LoGators improved to 10-0 in Metro Minny play, 17-10 overall, with an 8-2 win over Centennial on July 16 at home.

The LoGators started the night strong with two early runs in the bottom of the first. They built on that lead after a catch by Sam Riola and strong pitching from Jerome Gooley kept the visitors shut out. Luke Ryerse and Clarke Peterson picked up singles before Riola hit a two-RBI triple to bring both home. Riola later reached home to make it 5-0 heading into the third inning.

Good play in the field from Tyler Reichenborn started things well for Champlin before two strikeouts from Gooley ensured the continued shutout of Centennial. The LoGators could not get on the board this time around and were held off for the third inning. The new deadlock continued into the fourth inning. The LoGators benefited from a catch by Drake Siens at second base and great pitching under pressure from Gooley. Centennial was able to get runners on second and third but still ended the inning scoreless. A single from Peterson and a walk to first, meanwhile, could not be converted into runs.

Centennial eventually found runs late in the game, but were outpaced by the LoGators throughout as the hosts clinched their latest win amid an unbeaten season in Metro Minny play.

Tate Wallat had three RBI and two runs to his name by the end of the game. Reichenborn, Jack Puder, and Peterson had two hits each, while Gooley impressed with six kills from seven innings pitched.

Other results

Champlin Park began last week with a seven-inning 11-1 win over the Anoka Bucs on July 15. Wallat scored two runs and hit two RBI on the day, while Puder and Bryce Nelson hit three RBI and two RBI respectively.

The LoGators made it three wins with a tight 6-5 win over Hamel on July 18. The game did not come easily, however, as Champlin Park needed a ninth-inning two-run rally to clinch the victory. Siens hit two RBI, while Louie Walker pitched six innings in a tight contest. Daniel Buendorf pitched the latter three innings.

The team ended the week with yet another win on July 19, beating the Forest Lake Brewers 6-1 with 13 kills for Hutchinson from the mound. Puder scored the tying run, while Max Robinson gave the LoGators their first lead.

The LoGators will play four games the following week, traveling to Forest Lake, St. Anthony, and St. Michael on July 22, 23, and 24, before traveling to Maple Lake on Friday, July 26.