Weekend #8:  Donks Sweep Expos:

This weekend the Donks pushed their winning streak to 4,  taking down the Expos in an impressive fashion.  Game one belonged to Brian Dott, as the crafty vet pitched a complete game, only walking one and fanning 6.  Dusty "Big Daddy" Kain led the way on the offensive side of the coin by collecting a 3 for 3 performance.  Also, Ryan Lutzka found his stroke by going 2-2 with a BB.  That aside, the boys in blue made quick work of the Expos in game one by not making a single error.

Game two was also another strong showing for the Donks.  Jordan Johnson started and earned his 2nd victory as a Donk pitching 3 solid innings.  Kain also made his first apperance on the mound, pitching 1 inning and strking out 2.  New comer Mike Anton also worked one inning, striking out 2 and closing the game.  There were many highlights to note:  Kain 2-4, Casazza 3-4, DeWolf 3-4, Parker 2-4, Lutzka 2-3, Godell 2-4, and Simmy 3-3.

Let's keep the WIN TRAIN rolling!!!  

Game 1:  Expos - 2,  Donks - 6

Game 2:  Donks - 13,  Expos - 3

Weekend #7: Donks Clip Ducks, Sweep Up Remains

The Donks dropped two very close games against the American League leading Coyotes to begin the week, and set their sights on getting back on track against the National League leading Lake Elmo Ducks to finish the week.  It did not take long for the Donks to strike as they plated 3 runs to open game one.  The Donks never looked back, as Lance Logan pitched a beautiful game by one-hitting the Ducks (the Duck felt the need to hand out tow more hits according to their web-site).  That aside, the Donks bats were on fire once again.  Parker continued tio stay hot, with a 2-4, 3RBI game.  Casazza also continued his hot 2nd half with a 3-3 performance.  All in all, this was a great "bounce-back" game for the boys in blue as they rolled to a game one victory.

Game two was much more eventful.  The two teams traded the lead in the first few innings.  With the game tied 4-4 in the bottom of the 6th, the Donks exploded to score 4 runs to take a comanding 8-4 lead.  However, the Ducks were not about to go quietly.  A few misplayed balls resulted in the Ducks tying the score at 8-8 in the top of the 7th.  To open the 7th, Pete Ridley doubled, stole 3rd, and plated the winning run on a ground ball to the right side by Lutzka.  There were plenty of terrific performances in game 2 worth noting.  That said, the best of all was Ridley's 4-4 4SB performance.  

Great job boys on the sweep!!! 

Game 1:  Donks - 8,  Ducks - 1

Game 2:  Ducks - 8,  Donks - 9 

Make-Up Games: Donks Stumble Against Coyotes:

In what turned out to be a beautiful night in Minneapolis, the Donks looked to turn the season around and take two from the undefeated Coyotes.  Game 1 got off to a rough start in the first with a 2 out error, on a fly ball, which put the Donks down 1-0.  Consequently, All-Star pitcher Lance Logan had to leave the contest with soreness in his left arm.  However, Corey Godel took the rock for his first work in 2013, and pitched wonderfully.  Without Godel, the Donks would not have had a shot to stay with the Yotes.  Down 1-0, the Donks answered back in the 5th to tie the score.  Unfortunately, the Coyotes responded with 2 in the top of the 6th to take the lead for good.  

Game 2 was a heart-breaker to say the least.  To begin the game, Ryan Lutzka was scratched from the starting line-up for his first time in 7 years.  However, the move paid off right away as Dan Casazza assumed the 2-hole and hit a towering HR to put the Donks up 1-0 in the 1st.  Casazza would end up having a monster day with 3 hits (HR and triple) and 3 RBI.  That said, the Donks would explode in the 5th inning and put up 7 runs to make the score 10-3.  The game seemed to be in-hand for the Donks.  However, the Coyotes are not undefeated for a no reason and they would tie the score in the bottom of the innings by plating 7 runs as well.  The Coyotes would then manufacture a run in the bottom of the 6th to take a 11-10 lead.  In the top of the 7th, the Donks had one last shot to attempt to tie the score when Dan Anderson reached 2nd with two outs.  The final batter would strike out on a questionable pitch.  Upon which the lights at NEAF suddenly shut-off 3 seconds after the final pitch.  

All that aside, the Donks finally found their groove.  Even know they were swept, there were a ton of positives to take away.  There were several web-gems....Kain's catch in short center over the head while diving....Ridley and Casazza both had beautiful diving catches.  Yanks fought the lights and fence to make a great grab behind 3rd base.  The offense finally woke up in game 2.  Leading the way were Casazza (previously mentioned) and Kain (2-5, with 4 RBI).   The most important take-away is the Donks finally started playing as a team and believing they can play with anyone.  It's all coming together just in time to make a second half push.  

Game 1:  Coyotes - 4, Donks - 2  

Game 2: Donks - 10, Coyotes - 11

Donk All-Stars Make a Splash at All-Star Game:

The Donks voted Parker Hageman and Lance Logan to be their 2013 All-Star representatives.  Both players made a big impact in their first ever performances.  Parker went 2-2 with 2B and 2 RBI on the offensive side of the ball.  he also made a beautiful unassisted double-play in the 3rd inning.  Lance Logan pitched one inning, allowing one run (unearned), and hit a triple.  Also, Ryan Lutzka assumed the role of assistant manager to Tommy Hanson of the Ducks.  With the score out of reach, Tommy allowed Lutzka to take an AB against one of his best friends Hans Haggerness (Coyotes).  Lutzka came up short by lining a hard shot right at the first basemen.  That aside, the National League defeated the American League giving the National League home field advantage for the League Championship Game.  

National League - 11, American League - 3

Weekend #5: Donks and Reds Trade Punches:

In what seems to be becoming the pattern thus far, the Donks split this weekend's contest with the Minneapolis Reds.  Game one was somewhat uneventful, in large part thanks to Lance Logan.  Logan pitched 6 great innings and held the Reds to only 3 runs on 3 hits, which all came in the 6th inning.  The highlight of the game came in the 1st inning, when Ryan Lutzka stole home.  A gutsy move that paid off, and made a big difference in a one run game.  

Game 2 was there for the Donks taking.  The Donks took a 4-0 lead after 4 innings.  However, they stranded 7 runners in the process.  Jordan Johnson pitched 3 solid innings to start, but ran into some trouble in the 4th allowing 3 runs.  The Donks bullpen couldn't hold the lead and surrendered another 3 runs in the 5th to go down 6-4.  The score would remain the same throughout the remainder of the game.  

Game 1:  Donks 4, Reds - 2

Game 2:  Reds - 6, Donks - 4 

Weekend #4: Donks Split with North Stars

The Donks split with their cross-town rivals the Minneapolis North Stars this past weekend.  Two Sea Donkey records were set this weekend.  The first was set by Lance Logan who stuckout 12 batters in game one to earn his second victory of this young season.  The second record to fall was the Donks 138 game streak of never being shut-out.  Hats off to North Stars pitcher Travis Warren on a dominating performance.  That said, there were a few highlights to mention: Parker Hageman continued to stroke a hot bat, belting is first HR of the year.  Corey Godell played in his first games of the season and laced his first hit.  Jordan Johnson started his first game for the Donks, and despite a few errors only allowed 3 ERs.  Brian Dott assumed his new role out of the pen striking out the only batter he faced.  And, Dan Anderson continued his hot start with a pair of hits and RBI.  

The Donks are back at home this weekend against the Minneapolis Reds.  The Reds and Donks have a long history of some very tough and close games.  Each team has bounced the other from the playoffs the past three season.  Therefore, look for a great series between these two foes this weekend.  

Game 1: Donks - 7, North Stars - 1

Game 2: North Stars - 5, Donks - 0

Weekend #3: Donks Split with Giants:

The Donks faced the New Hope Giants for the first ever time in TCMABL League play.  Lance Logan took the mound in game one and pitched extreamly well in 6 innings of effort.  However, with the Donks up 7-5 in the top of the seventh a bleeder through the middle tied the contest.  In the bottom of the 7th, Billy Hanson was pluked to start the inning.  Newly signed Donkey Matt Yankowitz singled to move Hanson into scoring position.  Dan Anderson laid down a perfect sac bunt to move the runners to 2nd and 3rd.   Kevin Simberg was walked intentionally to load the bases.  As he has done many times before, Dan Casazza strolled to the plate and delivered a game winning single.

Game 1: Donks - 8, Giants - 7 

Game two was an uneventful one, to say the least.  Brian Dott struggled to find the zone in the grueling heat.  Johnson again came out of the pen to keep the Donks close, pitching 3 scoreless innings.  However, the Donks line-up struggled to generate any offense, with the exception of Pete Ridley who had a 2 hit performance (which consquently was half the Donks hits).  

Game 2: Giants 4, Donks - 1

The Donks will look to bounce back this weekend against the cross-town Minneapolis North Stars at Van Cleve on 6/23.  Hopefully the Donks are able to wake-up their once League Leading offense.  Stay tuned.  

Donks/Coyotes Washed Out....

The amazing spring/summer continues with a rain out between the Donks and Coyotes.  The teams will look to make-up these games sooner raher than later.  Stay tuned for more information.  

A Little Donk on the Side....

There have been may major "life moments" for some of the Donks in the recent months.  Let's take a moment and congratulate the following accomplishments...

- Tracy Davis (sister of Kevin Davis) graduated from St. Mary's University

- Dan Anderson and Jackie Gastecki got engaged last week

- Dan Casazza is now a home owner in the historic city of St. Paul

- Over the past winter, Billy and Dott welcomed babies into the world (William Jr and Oliver)

- Parker Hageman was featured on Buzzfeed (http://www.buzzfeed.com/ktlincoln/twins-player-radly-falls-over-fence-to-make-catch-fan-loses)

- And finally.....Ryan Lutzka removed his head from his ass

Weekend #2: Donks Fry Piranhas:

After a disspointing start to the season, the Donks looked to get back on track against a new foe in the St. Paul Piranhas.  And get back on track they did.  The boys in blue dominated in all areas of both games.  Lance Logan and Brian Dott each pitched complete game shut-outs and each talied 9 K performances.  The Donks defense provided an error free day, while the offense outscored the Piranhas 27-0.  There were a ton of great performances, starting with Parker's monster day at the plate.  Parker recored 7 hits in the two games, not to mention 6 RBIs (tied pervious record held by Davis) in game two on 3 doubles.  DeWolf had 4 hits (3 singles and 1 triple) on the day accounting for 6 RBIs.  Lutzka had a 4 hit day as well, accounting for 4 total RBI.  Ridley laced two doubles.  Anderson recorded 3 hits.  Casazza, Lutzka, and Simmy each scored 4 runs in game 2.  Dott went 2-4, with an RBI in his first plate apperances of the year.   Kain provided a gold glove effort, and had 2 sac-flys.  The list goes on and on.  Great Job Boys!  

Game 1: Donks - 7, Piranhas - 0

Game 2: Piranhas - 0, Donks - 20 

Next week the Donks welcome the Cottege Grove Coyotes to NEAF for a rematch of the 2010 Champaionship game.  The Coyotes are currently in 1st place in the American League, and have only allowed 2 runs thus far in 4 games.  Needless to say, the Donks will need to bring their "A" game to this contest.  

Opening Day Domination: Cards Drown Donks:

The 2013 season opened with Lance Logan throwing 5 beautiful innings against the 2-time defending TCMABL Champions EP Cardinals.  The wheels came off the bus with two Donks errors in the 6th.  Prior to the errors the Donks had a 1 run lead and were hanging with the Cards.  That said, you can't give the Cards an inch, because they will take a mile.  True to form the Cardinals capatilized and put up a 5 spot in the 6th inning to tak a 8-3 lead and they never looked back.  Donks fell in game one 11-3.

On a positive note, the Donks introduced three new players to the squad and they made thier presence felt right out of the gate.  Dusty Kain hit a HR in his second at-bat, and Peter Ridley made a great diving catch in RF.  Jordan Johnson took the mound in both games and pitched well in his debut.  The Donks are more than excited to see what these guys can do throughout the remainder of the season.  Welcome to the Donks boys!

There is not much to say for game two.  The Donks fell behind early and didn't put up much of a fight.  John Remakel (Cards SP) extended his amazing streak of ~30 starts without a loss.  Not to mention, he made Ryan Lutzka look like a fool on a 3-2 curve ball.  Ouch!  Donks fall 12-2.