From Isanti Manager Steve Allen: Recently, the Isanti Redbirds picked up three victories against Forest Lake, Hamel and East Bethel, advancing the team within a half-game of Metro Minny League leader Blaine. The Redbirds host Blaine Wednesday evening, July 17 at 7:30 p.m.
The ‘Birds defeated an excellent Forest Lake Brewers team 4-3 in a great amateur baseball game July 10. After six innings of scoreless ball, the ‘Birds managed to pick up three runs in the seventh inning. But the Brewers came back with two runs in the bottom of the seventh. With two outs in the bottom of the eighth, the Brewers’ clean-up hitter hit a solo home run to tie the game. The ’Birds got the winning run in the top of the ninth. BJ Samuelson led off with a double, Packy Lind moved BJ to third with a sacrifice bunt. The Brewers then intentionally walked Jake Maros and Kyle Johnson to load the bases. They then ”un-intentionally” walked Wyatt Soderquist to force in a run. Adam West pitched great, pitching the first 6 and 2/3 innings and Dallas Nelson picked up the win pitching the last 2 and 1/3 innings.
The ‘Birds defeated Hamel 11- 1 on Friday night. They were again lead by solid pitching by Dallas Nelson, Brian Schultz and Jake Johnson. The offensive attack was lead by Jake Maros with three hits and Kyle Johnson, Wyatt Soderquist and Garrett Hedberg each getting two hits.
On Sunday night, the ‘Birds broke loose for a big 16- 1 victory over the East Bethel Bandits. The Bandits took an early 1 to 0 lead in the first inning, but the ‘Birds tied it up in their half of the first inning on a single by Jake Maros, a passed ball moved Jake to second base and then he scored on a single by Kyle Johnson. The game stayed close until the fifth and sixth innings when the ‘Birds connected for 12 runs. The ‘Birds had home-runs by Tyler Schaff and Jake Maros. Kyle Johnson was 4 for 4, Brian Schultz was 3 for 3 and Maros was 3 for 5. Cole Bakke pitched a complete game picking up his fifth win of the season.
The ‘Birds play East Bethel again on Saturday and Forest Lake on Sunday.
Metro Minny Baseball: Blaine 11-2 MML, 20-10 all; Isanti 11-3, 18-7; Coon Rapids 9-4, 18-10; Forest Lake 7-4, 14-6; Anoka 6-7, 12-9; St. Francis 5-6, 9-9; Big Lake 4-5, 11-6; Champlin 3-8, 13-12; East Bethel 2-10, 2-10; Hamel 1-9, 2-11.
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