It was a rematch of the championship a year ago – McGregor (9-1) versus Floodwood (8-2). The only difference, last year the game was in Floodwood and this year the game was played in McGregor.
The championship game between the two evenly matched teams started out with McGregor scoring the first two runs in the bottom of the first inning, but Floodwood answered with two unearned runs in the bottom of the second.
Floodwood would then add three more runs in the third and six in the fifth for an 11-3 victory. Floodwood claimed their sixth title in the last seven years.
“This team has been resilient all season long,” said Floodwood coach Bubba Vance. “This team might not have the most talent, but when their backs are against the wall, it seems like they come up with the big game.”
Coach Vance shared that the team was down 10-3 in another game at Cherry earlier this summer. “In the final inning, the first batter struck out, and the next ten batters reached base,” added Bubba. “It is unusual for a team to come from behind with a lead that large.”
Bubba also credited the championship win over McGregor to leadership from Kyle Tamminen. “Kyle played on the Pony League team also,” Bubba shared. “It is important to have leadership from one of the older kids.”
Kyle stepped in and pitched four innings for Floodwood and picked up the win. Kyle also delivered a run-scoring double in the bottom of the third inning that put his team ahead for good.
On the mound, Kyle finished the game with seven strikeouts, three walks and no earned runs.
Hunter Casper started the game for Floodwood. He pitched two innings and struck out two batters and gave up one hit.
The big inning for Floodwood came in the sixth inning. The team exploded with five of their nine hits in the game and scored six runs. Mitchell Casper reached on an infield hit, Jonny Ruzyinski laid down a perfect bunt for a hit, and after a walk, Noah Thompson hit a double that scored two runs.
Tanner Heggedahl singled and Marcus Vanderveer doubled to complete the scoring.
Willow Christianson also had two hits, a walk and three stolen bases in the game.
McGregor rallied in the bottom of the fifth but only pushed across one run. Cole Hoover hit a double to start the inning, and Tommy Scollard walked, but two excellent plays at third base got Floodwood out of the jam.
Defense turned out to be the difference in this game. In addition to an outstanding diving catch by Tanner behind the plate, Floodwood got solid plays from several positions.
For McGregor, Joey Glunz came up with a great grab in left field in the final inning.
