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The Playoffs

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Donks Vow to Get Back to the Championship Game in 2016

Coming into the 2015 season the Donks were in rebuilding mode, as we had lost five core players from the 2014 squad who had been with us for several years. So, the thought of competing for a championship was not front of mind. However, as the season progressed the players we added had begun to show serious promise and we knew we had a chance. We finished the regular season one win away from the coveted #1 and #2 seed, which earns a first round bye. Needless to say, we defeated the #6 Giants 15-11 in the highest scoring game of the 2015 playoffs. The story line behind that game was the Donks were down 9-2 after the third inning. The next game was against the #2 Coyotes, in which Luke Elifson pitched a complete game shutout. The Donks won 6-0 and moved on to play the #1 seeded defending champion Rams the following week.

Down 2-0 in the top of the sixth, Donks veteran catch Dan Anderson blasted a 3-run shot to center field to take the lead against the Rams. In the top of the ninth, still up 3-2, Emery Hull, TCMABL home run champion, belted a Grand Slam to put us up 7-3. We would add one more run in the ninth to eventually win 8-2. Once again, Luke Elfison pitched a complete game for his second win of the playoffs.

In Sunday's championship game, with the wind blowing up to 35 miles per hour, the Donks made a critical error in the outfield, a first of the season, which resulted in three unearned runs and five runs total in the second inning. That would end up being the difference as the Donks fell 8-5. The game was played at beautiful Parade Stadium in downtown Minneapolis. Andy Gaddis started the game on the mound for the Donks and gave us six solid innings of work. Down 5-0 after the second, the Donks made a small comeback to make it 5-3 in the top of the seventh. However, in a true championship effort, the Tigers would answer back in the bottom of the seventh to make the score 8-3. The Donks would plate two runs in the top of the ninth and had the go-ahead run at the plate with the bases loaded before the Tigers closer finally shut the door.

I was really proud of my guys. As I mentioned, coming into the season I didn't see a run at the Jon Garbaz Cup in the cards, but after the July 4th break it was pretty clear we had one of the stronger teams in the league. We may have come up one win short in 2015, but with the entire squad returning in 2016, it is clear our goal will be to get back to the TCMABL 18+ Championship game, and this time to win it!

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Week 11 vs. Rams (8/9/2015)

The Donks entered this series tied in the standings with the Coyotes but knowing that they probably needed to win both to get the coveted first round bye in the American Division playoffs. A tough challenge was ahead.

Elifson took the mound in game one and was electric, limiting the Rams to four hits and one earned run. A fantastic performance at a key time. Ridley woke up from his self proclaimed "slump" and caused havoc with three hits and three stolen bases in his pursuit of the Donks stolen base record. Most of the scoring occurred in one inning, with a couple of beautifully executed "get 'em in" at bats by Thomas and Meyer to cap the scoring.

Donkeys 7 - Rams 1

Game two saw the Rams' bats unfortunately come alive. Number 9-hole Schwartz launched a three-run bomb over the left field wall at Van Cleve to put the Rams up for good in this one. Ridley continued his terror on the day, recording four more hits. There weren't many other offensive highlights until iron-armed Zac Quammen completed his ninth inning on the day (and rumor has it, 18 innings in two days.) The Donks notched a few runs late in the game to make it a bit closer, but the final result was a Rams victory.

Rams 8 - Donkeys 3

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Week 10 vs. Blizzard (8/2/2015)

At the friendly confines of Arlington/Arkwright, the Donks took two from the Blizzard.

The offense was explosive, putting up 12 runs in both games, and powered by three home runs by Hull. In the last four games he's totaled five. Definitely a Donks record for a season, let alone four games. As a team we also totaled six doubles in the first game and twelve extra base hits in the series. Ridley stole five bases in game two and Hull ended up with nine RBI on the day.

Elifson and Lutzka combined on the mound to shut the Blizzard down. Lutzka also shut down his promise to catcher Anderson to allow him to pitch in the second game if we were up by ten. Ouch.

Donkeys 12 - Blizzard 3

Donkeys 12 - Blizzard 2

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Week 9 vs. Coyotes (7/26/2015)

In this pivotal league match up, both games were hotly contested.

Game one started out rough, as Donks starter Logan was unable to find his control initially. A number of first inning walks led to a Coyote run, but this would be their only one of the game. Logan settled in after that and shut down the Coyote offense. In the bottom of the first, the Donks did their only damage of the game as well. Ridley led off with a single, but got caught stealing. Casazza smashed a triple over a drawn in Joe Paul's head and Lutzka followed it up with a sacrifice fly to tie it up. #TheOneBat (aka Mr. Emery Hull) went yard-ball to put the Donks up for good. Exceptional defense and pitching kept us in the game, as the Coyotes did threaten a number of times after the first, but came up empty.

Donkeys 2 - Coyotes 1

The second match up of the day was another nail biter. The Donks took a lead in the top of the 4th, but the Coyotes answered back. Again we scraped across a run in the 6th, and headed into the bottom of the 7th with Elifson on the mound dealing as usual. The Coyotes managed to get one across and the game proceeded to extra innings. In the top of the 9th, #TheOneBat took Coyotes starter Stedt deep for his second game winning home run of the day. Elifson completed the 9th and the Donks took the sweep.

Donkeys 3 - Coyotes 2

It was an extremely well played series with excellent defensive and pitching performances on both sides.

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Week 8 vs. Bombers (7/19/2015)

Well, it's safe to say neither team will have issues remembering this weekend series.

Game one started out rough, with the Bombers coming out on fire. They built leads of 6-0 and 9-2, but after a pitching change had problems adjusting. The stage was set. Jelani went nuts, igniting multiple rallies, and recording three doubles in the game. Eight Donkey batters recorded multiple hits in the game on the way to fourteen unanswered runs. The run was punctuated by a bases clearing double by Casazza, the fifth for the team in this contest.

Donkeys 16 - Bombers 9

Game two went something like this:

The Bombers returned from their few inning hiatus and resumed smashing the ball. They hit over .600 in the game and not many were lucky. It didn't seem to matter what was thrown up there. Hats off to a great hitting club.

With Grodzicki on the mound, the Donkeys grinded out four runs, including a late Matt Shaver home run, but this was a drop in the bucket against the twenty two that were scored against us.

Bombers 22 - Donkeys 4

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Week 7 vs. Rays (7/12/2015)

For the first time in many weeks, the Donks were able to field a team consisting of more than 9 guys. What a novelty!

In game one, Elifson returned from his multi-week hiatus. His matchup against the league's most anemic offense was predictable. After five innings he was lifted for Gaddis to get some work. On the other side of things, the league's highest scoring offense converted 16 base runners into 10 runs. This one was never in doubt.

Donks 10 - Rays 3

Game two ended early. The offense continued to stroke the ball all over the field, including another Ridley home run, and a triple mashed by Hull. Ineffective Rays pitching also issued 8 walks, totaling 15 on the day. Logan started this one, and was again on point scattering a few hits and giving up no earned for the third time this season.

Donks 11 - Rays 1

Of additional note, in six plate appearances backstop Anderson did not record an out. What a day.

Next up is the yearly NEAF showdown with the Bombers. Last year the Donks playoff run was ended in a rain delayed game at the field. Both teams are fighting for playoff positioning with the Bombers currently in a three-way tie for the last spot in the National Division and the Donks looking to move up to one of the coveted top seeds in the American Division. It should be a thrilling matchup.

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Week 6 vs. Giants (6/28/2015)

In week 6 of the TCMABL season, the Donks took on the Giants in the denoted TCMABL Game of the Week. Unfortunately we had to face this challenge again with 9 guys.

Game one was a clunker as it saw starter Lance Logan leave the game early with arm trouble. Voss and Lutzka finished off the game, but the damage was already done at that point. The Donks offense could only produce 5 hits total, not enough to recover from an early deficit.

Giants 8 - Donks 2

Game two had the Donks perform up to form. Gaddis dealt a complete game effort, looking on point as usual and scattering 3 to 5 hits (depending on who's scoring it.) He only allowed one run through 6 until an interesting home run was hit by Giants slugger Oslund. The ball bounced off the top of the chain link fence at NEAF. On the offensive side of things, the bats finally came alive after taking a game off. Twelve hits were compiled, including another "wind assisted" home run by lead off man Casazza. I'm not sure we're capable of hitting any other type.

Donks 9 - Giants 2

Thanks again to fill-ins Meyer and Swanson who performed excellently.

After the break we'll face off against the Rays. The Donks should see the return of a number of regulars in this series, including catcher Anderson, Ridley, Mogged, Thomas, and Haehn. Starting pitcher Elifson should also be returning from an unfortunate ankle sprain. Elifson made his Sea Donkeys debut last year against the Rays, and it's fitting that he'll be returning this year against them as well.

It was a very successful first half and hopefully better attendance/health will lead to more complete efforts (and victories) by the navy and orange. There are a number of important match ups in the following weeks, including critical games against the top 3 records in our division (Rams, Coyotes, and Blizzard) as well as intra-division rivals the Bombers.

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Week 5 vs. Legends (6/21/2015)

Another week - and just another 9 Donks piling up wins for the club.

Shorthanded again, the Donks squared off against league newcomers the Legends. Game one again had Logan toeing the mound, and it's hard to grow tired of reporting complete game 10K efforts. Logan has continued his dominating four game stretch, compiling 4 wins and 31 strikeouts, all while only allowing 2 earned runs. The offense was spurred on by the return of Emery Hull, who almost took the shortstop's face off on a one-hopper (don't worry, he's the only one who can do that.) Jelani Thomas continued his roll as an offensive spark plug, smacking two hits, and stealing three bags in the game. And last but not least, Ridley hit a monster shot to left center that put a stamp on this one.

Donks 9 - Legends 2

The rock was passed to Gaddis in the second match up of the day and he spun another excellent game for the navy and orange. Pete Ridley continued his monster offensive showcase, going 3-4 with 3 doubles in this one. The lineup as a whole pounded out 14 hits but only managed to plate 7 runs. A seventh inning home run by the Legends, their first as a club, wasn't enough for the comeback.

Donks 7 - Legends 4

For a team put together out of thin air, the Legends played impressively. Look for them to rapidly improve as the season goes on and into next year.

A big thanks to our Father's Day fill-ins, retired Donk Matt DeWolf (who caught all 14 innings) and Mike Meyer.

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Week 4 vs. Expos (6/14/2015)

"I've gotta get on this teams workout program." - Nate Jackson

The above quote can be attributed to the sight of the standard middle of the order Donks, Joe Haehn and Emery Hull, courtesy of AZ compatriot and current Bauhaus Brewer, Nate Jackson. With Joe and Emery both out, and starter Luke Elifson still on the DL with an injury, the Donks rolled with only 9 on Sunday. Play ball.

Game one featured Lance Logan on the bump. As of recent Logan has been on fire, with two complete game shut outs in a row. He didn't stop dealing last Sunday either. A first inning unearned run put the Expos on top. As Logan continued to mow hitters down we took a very brief lead in the top of the 4th. The Expos then managed to ding Logan for his only earned run of the game in the bottom of the inning to tie the game at 2. This set the stage for a gigantic 6th inning, as the Donks recorded 9 hits and 7 runs off starter Ackman. Comfortably ahead, we cruised to a 10-2 victory.

Donks 10 - Expos 2

Game two was a more dramatic and exciting version of game one. Lead off man Ridz started the game off right as he reached base, stole second and third, and was driven in by an infield single. Andy Gaddis took the mound for this second start of the year and shut down the Expos offense through five. Again, the sixth inning proved pivotal in this matchup. The Expos awoke in the sixth and managed to load the bases for Max McCarthy, who promptly cleared them with a double over Center Fielder Ridley's head. The next batter hit a rocket to left fielder Casazza, who after grabbing the ball on one hop, threw his own liner back to the plate to awaiting Catcher Anderson. An extremely close play at the plate took place in which runner McCarthy was called out, and the ensuing arguments led to two Expos ejections. This exciting play ended the inning, and along with the ejections of two key Expos, signaled a momentum shift back to the Donks. True to form, the nine Donks present answered in force. Ridz again reached base, got to third, and scored on a ground out. Lutzka then began the big rally, followed up by a Moggs double, and a parade of hits. Gaddis shut the door in the 7th for his first TCMABL win. The Donks finally realized their first sweep of 2015.

Donks 10 - Expos 3

Fun notes of the week - The Donkeys managed to turn at least four key double plays, most of them starting with third baseman Moggs. A well balanced offensive attack led the way as every single Donkey hitter scored in the first game and very nearly the second game as well. Only one hitter in the second game did not notch a run.

Both teams played great baseball on this Sunday, and the score doesn't indicate how tense and well fought each game was. It was certainly the most exciting series we've had this year so far. Hats off to the Expos and good luck the rest of the way.

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Week 3 vs. Orioles (6/7/2015)

Another week - another blistering start to our Sunday double-header. The Donks wasted no time, as lead-off man Pete Ridley reached on an infield single, stole second and third, and came home on a passed ball. Easy enough. Not long after, with Casazza on second, sleeping giant Emery Hull awoke and blasted his first home run of the year into the "lake" in left-center field. After this interesting start, the game went into auto-pilot mode for a few innings. The bats went a bit silent, but starter Lance Logan was cruising. In the top of the fifth inning, we decided it'd be a good idea to put up a few more runs and notched 6. One more run in the 6th made it ten, and Logan closed the door on his second complete game shutout in a row.

Donks 10 - Orioles 0

Our frustrating week-to-week pattern continued in game two. It seemed to be going better at first, as the Donks gained two early leads. The scrappy Orioles managed to get five runs across despite only one hit up until this point. The game was tied 5-5 through four innings. Orioles starter Eric Kropp kept the Donkeys offense mostly in check, and they managed to take a two run lead in the top of the 6th on the strength of a few hits and a Derek Clark double. In the bottom of the 7th, we came out determined to not allow our pattern of game two losses to continue. Casazza led off with a broken bat single, moved up to second on a Haehn grounder, and was driven in by Hull. Dan Hill then appeared in relief to attempt to get the final two outs. The Donks continued to threaten, and with runners on first and third and two outs, Godel came to the plate. In his last at bat, Godel roped a double off the center field wall. On the first pitch he drove a liner to the right center gap. With Lutzka motoring from first base to score the winning run, the Orioles Center Fielder came out of nowhere to make a diving catch to seal the win.

Orioles 7 - Donks 6

Next week: "Snake" Hughes and his rowdy band of Twi.. I mean Expos. Snake is clearly not one to be trifled with.

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Week 2 vs. Indians (5/31/2015)

The home opener started with a bang, as the Donkeys' bats came out on fire. Every batter registered a hit which resulted in the offense putting up 11 runs. Starting pitcher Lance Logan looked especially sharp as he held the Indians offense to 3 hits. Throw in some solid defensive work as well, and this one ended early.

Donks 11 - Indians 0

Game 2 of the double header did not go as smoothly. The Donks carried over their offensive explosion from the first game, scoring 3 runs in the first inning, but the bats cooled after that. When we managed to take the lead again, twice, the Indians answered back each time. With starter Luke Elifson spraining his ankle last weekend, newcomer Gaddis got his first TCMABL start and filled in admirably. Rookie Brenden Voss also showcased his stuff in 3+ innings of excellent relief. In the top of the 9th, the Donkeys loaded the bases but only managed to push across 1 run to take the lead. After 4 scoreless innings in a row, this felt safe, but the Indians combined a few well placed hits together to score 2 and walk us off.

Indians 7 - Donks 6

Next up: a showdown with the Orioles at Dakota Park in St. Louis Park.

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Week 1 vs. North Stars (5/17/2015)

As it seems to be every year, the showdown at Van Cleve with the North Stars resulted in another series split.

Game one was an exciting kick off to the season, as second year starter Elifson was his usual self. Eleven North Stars went down with the count and none were issued a free pass (although one leg was damaged by an errant breaking ball.) The offense was consistent, scoring runs in 5 different innings, and was highlighted by Logan's first career home run in a Donkeys uniform. A well played game by the boys in Navy led to a solid victory.

Donks 6 - North Stars 2

Game 2 was not one of the better games ever played by a Donkeys team. Logan did record ten strikeouts in a fine pitching performance. Not much else to say about this one other than it's not advisable to play a game like this very often.

North Stars 4 - Donks 2

If you're keeping track, Luke and Lance are your current league leaders in strikeouts at 11 and 10 respectively. Newcomers Mogged, Thomas, and Gaddis all showcased their talents during the series. Moggs demonstrated his offensive prowess by roping the ball all over the field and recording 4 hits on the day. Thomas showed himself to be an offensive spark plug and Gaddis was thrust into the game on the mound in a tight situation, only to work us out of a jam. All in all, there's a lot to be excited about with this team going forward!

Our next matchup is against the Indians on 5/31 at the friendly confines of Northeast Athletic. See you all there.

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Pre-season Update (5/14/2015)
The 2015 season is nearly upon us. With a number of core players retiring after the 2014 season, the Donkeys have had to pursue an aggressive reload heading into the season. Many new Donks will take the field this year and we're excited to see what they can do.

This weekend's matchup is with our cross-town rivals the North Stars. The two teams have met a number of times during the regular season in the past, typically resulting in a split. The most recent matchup between these two squads was in the first round of last year's playoffs, with a dominating pitching performance by Elifson carrying the Donks to a 4-0 victory.

Good luck to both squads this weekend!

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