Saintly duo ends Lakers’ season

The Maple Lake Lakers’ prayers were not heard by the Saints this week, ending their playoff run after just two games. Maple Lake fell 10-9 to Dassel-Cokato Saints and 7-3 to St. Michael Saints in the first two rounds of the Section 8B playoff tournament in Hutchinson.

Lakers vs. Dassel-Cokato

On Wednesday, August 5, the Lakers traveled to Hutchinson to play the first round of playoffs against Dassel-Cokato.

D-C was seeded number 4, just ahead of the Lakers. Maple Lake could not hold onto the lead and gave up a close game to the Saints.

The game opened with the Lakers at the plate. Graham Brown and Tim Queck each scored off a double by Bert Marsnik.

Tyler Decker added a run in the second with help from a single by Queck, giving Maple Lake an early 3-0 lead.

In the bottom of the second, D-C scored one run. The Saints added one more in the third.

Maple Lake stayed ahead of the Saints, tallying their own runs in the top of the third and fourth innings. Then in the bottom of the fourth, D-C scored five runs to take a 7-5 lead.

“It makes it tough when you give up big innings like that,” said Lakers Manager Dale Decker.

After the Saints added two runs in the sixth, the Lakers moved in to position for a comeback. Ben Jungers, the pinch runner, brought in a run off singles by T. Decker, Riley Decker and Queck. The inning closed leaving three men on base.

Maple Lake put together a few runs in the eighth with singles by B. Marsnik and Nate Johnson. Mike Starke and T. Decker each earned an RBI and the Lakers added three to their score, knotting the score at nine.

In the bottom of the eighth inning, D-C scored one run to win the game, sinking the Lakers, 10-9.

Overall, the Lakers made an impressive showing at the plate, tallying 19 hits. In the field, Maple Lake had just one error in the game.

Decker said that the loss was a result of the Lakers’ inability to make key plays. Maple Lake left a total of 16 men on base through nine innings and gave up nine walks, six of which turned into runs.

Check out this week’s Messenger for player stats and more details about the Lakers’ playoff games.

Follow the final games of the Section 8B playoffs right here on the Messenger website and view an updated playoff bracket below.