State run ends early for Waconia Lakers
The Waconia Lakers were eliminated from the state tournament on Sept. 1 in a loss to Lastrup. The state team includes, front row: Jeremy Salden, Tom Lyons, Eric Durkin, Brandon Hebig, Dan Butz, Ben Smothers, Jeff Chrest, and Steve Mielke (draftee – New Germany); back row: coach Mike Bullis, Kevin Bullis, Chris Bullis, Dalton Sawyer, Ronnie Olson, Peter Brown, Craig LaPlante, Justin Klingelhutz, Nick Litfin, and coach Ken Horner; not pictured: Cole Hytjan, Jesse Maistrovich, Eric Aeling, Pat Deering, Pat Tschida (draftee – Watertown), and Brian Graupmann (draftee – Plato).
Perhaps the Waconia Lakers should have saved some of the runs from their 21-3 victory over Morris for their Sept. 1 game against Lastrup. Falling 2-1 to Lastrup, Waconia’s hopes of a return trip to the state championship game were dashed.
Lastrup pitcher Chad Weiss threw a great game against the Lakers, keeping Waconia off the bases. Weiss gave up just one run on one hit with seven strikeouts and one walk.
“A few opportunities were out there but other than Jeremy Salden’s RBI single that came a foot away from going extra bases for another run, there wasn’t enough offense to walk away with a win,” Mike Bullis said.
Chris Bullis took the mound for Waconia, allowing two runs on seven hits. He struck out four batters and walked an additional two.
The Waconia Lakers finished the season 28-7 overall, won the Crow River Valley League, and finished second in the Region 7C tournament to earn the state tournament berth.
Winsted also was eliminated on Sept. 1 in a 4-0 loss to Sobieski. The Green Isle Irish defeated New London-Spicer that same day, but would fall to Fairmont in a 9-7 game on Sept. 2. Lastrup lost to Fergus Falls in its next game on Sept. 2.
The Lakers of Maple Lake won the Class C state title with a 6-4 win over Fairmont.
