Post 45 wins slugfest with Chanhassen
New Prague Post 45 concluded its American Legion baseball schedule on a winning note Monday, July 22, defeating Chanhassen 16-15. The team lost its two previous games, falling to Chaska 9-6 and Apple Valley 9-2. A Sunday game with Rosemount was cancelled.
Post 45 begins play in the Sub-State tournament Thursday, July 25, with a 4:30 p.m. game against Lakeville South at Burnsville’s Alimagnet Park. The tournament continues through Sunday (see story, Page 9). New Prague had a 10-6 record headed into the playoffs.
Chaska 9, Post 45 6 Chaska scored four runs in the top of the seventh to break open a tie game, and New Prague could only muster one run in the bottom of the inning as they lost to Chaska 9-6 Tuesday, July 16, in New Prague.
Post 45’s Brok Schwartzkopf had two home runs, including a solo shot to lead off the seventh. Danny Beckius also had two hits. However New Prague squandered several chances, including leaving the bases loaded in the sixth inning. Ben Miller started for New Prague, with Hunter Piehl, Cole Minnick and Beckius pitching in relief. Beckius took the loss.
Apple Valley 9, Post 45 2 A powerful Apple Valley team scored five runs in the first inning and was never threatened as they defeated New Prague 9-2 Thursday, July 18. Dan Feneis took the loss, allowing nine hits and nine runs in 4-1/3 innings. Brok Schwartzkopf and Nathan Olson pitched in relief. New Prague scattered four hits, from Cody Shimota, Danny Beckius, Ben Miller and Olson.
Post 45 16, Chanhassen 15 The bats were out in force for both teams Monday at New Prague, with Post 45 scoring two runs in the bottom of the seventh to pull out a 16-15 win over Chanhassen.
Each team had several big innings and the lead changed hands five times during the contest. Jake Klein drove in the winning run, scoring Paul Hengtes.
Hengtes went 4-for-5 with four runs scored to pace New Prague. Joe Heinz and Nathan Olson both had three hits. Olson had four RBIs, while Joey Schouviller and Heinz each had two. Hentges started on the mound and went three innings. Dan Beckius, Klein and Olson all pitched in relief, with Olson getting the win.
