The regular season ended with Spring Grove’s second 10-run-rule win against Alden-Conger/Glenville-Emmons. This 12-2 decision on May 22 at Alden was somewhat similar to the 14-4 home win for the Lions. In both games, AC/GE scored all of its runs in the first inning and later, Spring Grove used a big inning to take control. However, unlike the April game, the Lions led all the way.
Photo by Lee Epps
The Lions improved to 10-7 and a third-place 8-4 conference record, three games behind co-champions Lyle/Pacelli and Southland and three games ahead of fourth-place Mabel-Canton. Tied-for-last-place AC/GE enters the playoffs at 5-14 (2-10 SEC).
Seven different Spring Grove batters contributed to the 11-hit attack, which included a two-RBI triple by Ezra Griffin (2 for 4) and two doubles by Jaxon Strinmoen, who went 3 for 4, drove in two runs, scored two runs and stole two bases. Altogether, there were five Lion doubles, including one each from Brandon Jahnke (2 for 4, RBI), Zach Brumm (1 for 3, RBI, stolen base) and Caleb Griffin (1 for 3, stolen base).
Back-to-back two-baggers by Strinmoen and Jahnke helped the Lions take a quick 3-0 lead before AC/GE came to bat. The home team then replied with a walk and back-to-back base hits (including a double by Andrew Wasmoen) to score two quick runs. The potential tying run was averted when Wasmoen was tagged out while trying to score on a wild pitch.
AC/GE did not have another base hit nor score again. The home team did threaten, but could not take advantage of Spring Grove charity. AC/GE, with four walks and a Lion error, had runners in scoring position again in both the second and third innings. But the home team could not manage another base hit off a trio of Spring Grove pitchers – starter Strinmoen, winning pitcher Ben Udstuen or Braedon Solie.
Spring Grove created a cushion by adding two runs to make it 5-2 after Ezra Griffin and Zach Brumm led off the third inning with back-to-back base hits. And then in the fourth inning, the Lions crammed six hits into a seven-run eruption, extending their lead to 12-2.
AC/GE’s Logan Ladwig was hit by a pitch, but Udstuen and Solie then retired the final six batters in order. Coming off its highest-scoring production of the season, a 13-11 win over St. Clair, AC/GE managed only two hits and two runs against Spring Grove.
The Lions lead the all-time series, 10-2, against the combined program. But before sharing with Alden-Conger, G-E alone won 15 and lost only five versus Spring Grove.
With limited numbers, AC/GE does not have a B-team this season.
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SG 2, AC/GE 2
SG 302 70 =12–11–1
AC/GE 200 00 = 2–2–2
LOB: SG 5, AC/GE 7
Stolen bases: SG 4, AC/GE 2
SG 11 hits (triple, 5 doubles, 5 singles): Jaxon Strinmoen 3-4, 2 dbls, 2 RBI, 2 runs, 2 steals; Ezra Griffin 2-4 trpl, 2 RBI; Brandon Jahnke 2-4, dbl, RBI, run; Zach Brumm 1-3, dbl, RBI. run, steal; Caleb Griffin 1-3, dbl, 2 runs, 1 steal; Braedon Soiie 1-2, run; Ben Udstuen 1-3, 2 RBI
AC/GE 2 hits (double, single):
Pitching SG: Jaxon Strinmoen 1.1 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 4 W, 1 K; Ben Udstuen 2.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 12 HB, 2 W, 3 K, win
Braedon Soiie 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 W, 0 K
Pitching AC/GE: Mattson 4 IP, 10 H, 12 R, 12 ER, 2 HB, 2 W, 4 K, loss; Hensche 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 W, 1 K
Records: SG 10-7 (8-4 SEC), AC/GE 5-14 (2-10 SEC)
SG LINEUP: p Jaxon Strinmoen, c Ezra Griffin, 1b Brandon Jahnke, 2b Caleb Griffin, ss Ben Udstuen, 3b Ty Cleven, lf Bryce Berns, cf Zach Brumm, rf Braedon Solie, dh Jacob Solum, cr Logan Brumm, pr Colton Nerstad
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Spring Grove Baseball 2023 (SEC games in bold)
>>10-7 (8-4 SEC, 3rd place)
W at GMLOK 15-4
W vs. Houston 10-2
L at Southland 4-5
W vs. Alden-Conger/Glenville-Emmons 14-4
W vs. GMLOK 6-2
L at Lyle/Pacelli 1-3
W vs. Mabel-Canton 7-6
W at Mabel-Canton 12-5
L vs. Lyle/Pacelli 0-7
W vs. Wabasha-Kellogg 7-3
W at Houston 4-1
L vs. Goodhue (R-P Tourney) 2-3
L vs. Rushford-Peterson (R-P Tourney) 5-6
L vs. Kenyon-Wanamingo 1-2
L vs. Southland 0-5
W vs. Fillmore Central/Lanesboro 6-4
W at Alden-Conger/Glenville-Emmons 12-2
SECTION 1A TOURNAMENT
#9 Wabasha-Kellogg
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B-Team Baseball
>>6 wins, 5 losses, 4 ties
L at Caledonia 4-14
T at GMLOK 3-3
L vs. Houston 3-6
T at Southland 0-0
W vs. Houston 8-5
W vs. GMLOK 4-2
L at Lyle/Pacelli 4-7
W vs. Mabel-Canton 4-2
W at Mabel-Canton 9-0
T vs. Lyle/Pacelli 10-10
L at Houston 1-6
L at La Crescent-Hokah 5-7
W vs. Kenyon-Wanamingo 6-5
T vs. Southland 2-2
W vs. Fillmore Central/Lanesboro 7-6
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Junior High Baseball
>>3 wins, 13 losses
L vs. Mabel-Canton
L vs. Mabel-Canton
L vs. GMLOK
W vs. GMLOK
L vs. Houston
L vs. Houston
W vs. GMLOK
W vs. GMLOK
L at Mabel-Canton
L at Mabel-Canton
L vs. Houston
L vs. Houston
L at Houston
L at Houston
L at Fillmore Central/Lanesboro
L at Fillmore Central/Lanesboro
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