Achievement Unlocked

Week 5:  6/25 vs Legends:

WIth Northeast Athletic Field under construction, this weeks games between the Donks and Legends were moved to Frank Quilici Field.  The Donks were riding a 6 game winning streak, and moved that to 7 in game 1.  Andy Gaddis would get the start and dazzeled the young Legends pitching a complete game, allowing no earned runs while striking out 5, and securing the win.  Jelani Thomas and Pete Ridley would lead the offensive charge both supplying 2 hits a piece.  Donks win 8-2.  

Game 2 was dominated by the Legends pitching, only allowing 4 hits against a Donkey team that has been thrashing the offensive record books all season.  The one highlight for the Donks was Lance Logan's pitching performance.  Logan would pitch all 7 innings and up until an error in the 6th, had held the Legends to just 3 runs.  That said, the Legends took advantage of all Donks miscues and handed the Donks their first loss of the season.  Hats off to the young squad out of Minneapolis, as they continue to grow their core.  The Donks are a little banged up, so the mid-season break comes at a very good time.  Coming off the break, the Donks will welcome Matt Shaver back to the line-up as they look to bring home the #1 seed in the American Divsion.  

Week 4:  6/18 vs Expos - TCMABL Games of the Week:

This last week’s games between the Donks and Expos were coined the TCMABL Games of the Week.  Both teams walked into Van Cleve with undefeated records, but something had to give.  The Donks were without Luke Elifson, Dan Anderson, Nash Simet, and Ethan Imdieke for the weekend, and knew they would have to step up to earn the sweep.  On a beautiful Father's Day, the Donks bats came ready to hit.  In game 1, the Donks went down 4-1 early, but Andy Gaddis weathered the "error storm" and settled in delivering a solid 7-inning performance allowing 1 earned run while striking out 8.  Mike Meyer and Emery Hull would lead the destruction, both totaling 3 hits apiece.  Meyer would add 4 RBIs and SB, impressing his father in the stands!  Ridley and Lutzka would both collect 2 hits and 2 SBs.  Speaking of stolen bases, Jelani Thomas and Hull would both add 2, bringing the Donks total for the game to 9.  The Donks would pull away late and won game 1 with a score of 12-5 over the Expos.

Game 2 took on a different story.  Lance Logan got the start, and pitched well through 4 innings.  Down 3-1 going into the 3rd, the Donks were poised to fire the bats back up.  With 1 out the Expos would walk Ridley, Lutzka, and Casazza to bring Emery Hull to that plate.  Hull would deliver with a monster Grand Slam over the left-center wall to put the Donks in the lead at 5-3.  The Expos would tie the score in the 4th at 5-5, but Hull would strike again in the bottom half.  Once again the Expos would load the bases walking Ridley, Lutzka, and Casazza again.  Hull would once again deliver and belted the ball over the left-field wall to earn his second Grand Slam of the game.  Hull would finish the weekend going 5-7, with 2 BBS, 2SBs, 2 Grand Slams, and 9 RBI (8 in game 2 for a new Donks single-game record).  Needless to say, Emery Hull's performance is one for the ages.  Even with the power surge from Hull, the Expos didn't quit and got to Logan in the 5th, making the score at 10-10.  The Donks would plate a run in the bottom of the 5th, but the Expos would tie the game at 11-11 in the top of the 6th.  In the bottom of the 6th, Jelani Thomas would get beaned and took advantage stealing second and scoring on a Zach Tracy single to give the Donks the lead 12-11.  In the top of the 7th, the Expos would have the tying run on 3rd with two outs, but Ryan Lutzka would strike out the final batter to capture the sweep.  Donks win 12-11.  

The Donks want to especially thank former great and Donks HOF Matt Dewolf for his performance on Sunday.  Matt caught all 14 innings for the boys in blue (and orange).  DeWolf got a hit in both games, added a Sac Fly, but did not register a HBP, which left the Donks fans scratching their head.  No worries though, DeWolf ensured he kept his "tough guy" image and took a collision at home plate.  Matt is a class-act, and the Donks miss seeing him on a weekly basis.  Until next time #18....

Up next for the Donks are the Nordeast Legends at Frank Quilici Field in North Minneapolis.  Let's keep this train rolling!  Go Donks!!! 

Week 3:  6/11 vs True Blue:

The games between the Donks and True Blue were rained out and will be rescheduled at a later date. 

Week 2: 6/4 vs Cardinals

In week 2 action the Donks welcomed the Eden Prairie Cardinals to the once great Stan Cyson Field.  It is no secret that the both teams circled this date on their schedule prior to the start of the season.  The start to game 1 was not what the Donks had in mind, as the Cardinals capitalized on three errors in the field to take a 4-0 lead.  However, the Donks woke up quick and plated 7 runs in the bottom of the first.  With Luke Elifson on the mound, the Donks wouldn't look back and ten-runned the Cardinals in the 18-8.  Jelani Thomas would lead the way in game 1 going 4-4 with a 3B, SB, and 6 RBI, tying the record for most RBI in a game by a Donk.  Pete Ridley got in on the hit parade going 3-4 with 1RBI.  Lutzka ended up collecting 3 BBs, with all three coming by way of only four pitches.  Not to be outdone in BBs, Dan Casazza did not record a single AB, as he tallied 4 BBs.  

Game 2 was a wild game to say the least.  Lance Logan would get his first start of the season and through 2 innings of work looked sharp.  The Donks would come out swinging, as they plated 9 runs in the first 4 innings.  Up 9-1 and moving into the bottom of the 4th the Donks seemed to be in the driver's seat.  Logan struggled to locate, and the Cardinals took advantage.  Andy Gaddis would take the bump and struck out Jake Huwe to end the 5 run inning.  The Cardinals have not won 5 Cups for nothing, and made a stellar comeback to take the lead 10-9, and then 12-9 going into the top of the 7th.  Zack Tracey would lead off the 7th with a single.  Ridley would then single, and both Tracey and Ridley would take an extra base with a throwing error.  With runners on 2nd and 3rd, Lutzka would belt a ball down the left field line driving in both runners.  Casazza then singled and Hull drove in Lutzka to tie the game.  Casazza would score to put the Donks up by one on a Nash single.  Now leading 13-12, Donks veteran pitcher Ryan Lutzka would seal the deal and got the three outs needed to win the game.  Lutzka lead the way offensively, as he went 3-4, 3B, BB, 4RBI, and stole home.  Emery Hull would have a big game, going 3-4 with 3RBI.  Nash Simet also went 3-4, with an RBI.  In his first game as a Donk at the plate, Zach Tracey went 2-3, with a BB.  Let's not forget about Dan Anderson, who caught every inning on a very hot day and has a bruise the size of Wyoming to show for his efforts.  Anderson has been a rock for the Donks behind the dish for the Donks for the better part of 8 seasons.    

"We needed to bring our A-game if we wanted to sweep the Cardinals, and while we may have not played to the best of our ability, we still came out on-top and I couldn't be prouder of the group," said Donks manager Lutzka.  "It is a long season, and we know the Cardinals will rebound, so we can't take anything for granted.  We have the team to make a deep run this season, but we need to strive to keep getting better.  I'm excited to see what we can do the rest of the way."  

Up next for the Donks is the Minneapolis True Blue.  Last year the Donks swept the True Blue, but game 2 in 2016 was a 1-0 nail biter.  Look for a competitive series between the two Minneapolis based teams on 6/11 at Sid Hartman Field.  Go Donks!  

Opening Day:  5/21 vs Indians

Opening Day 2017 looked as though the rain would prevail, but thanks to some hard work by managers Genrich and Lutzka, the games would go on.  On the mound in game 1 would be the 2016 TCMABL ERA Champion Luke Elifson for the Donks.  True to form, Elifson would get the complete game win, only allowing 1 earned run.  The Donks bats "took no days off" over the winter and came out slugging, plating 14 runs.  Lutzka (3), Hull (2), Anderson (2), and Gaddis (2) all had a multi-hit performance, with Hull doing the heavy lifting with a double, triple, and 4 RBI.  Ridley added a double of his own and both him and Lutzka would collect 2 SBs.  2016 TCMABL Batting Champion Dan Casazza got in on the action going 1-3 with a double, RBI, HBP, BB, and an SB.  Jelani Thomas also had a productive day adding 3 RBI for the boys in blue!  Donks took Game 1 with a score of 14-6.

Game 2 was far closer than the final score of 12-4 would indicate.  Andy Gaddis got his first start of the 2017 season and had a strong showing pitching a complete game while only surrendering 1 earned run.  Going into the 4th inning, the Donks were trailing 4-2, and looking for someone to step up and take charge.  Little did the Donks know their new OF/C Nash Simet would answer the bell.  Simet smashed a solo-homerun over the left-center wall and ignited the fire back into the Donks bats.  Simet would finish with a monster game going 3-4 with a HR, 2B, and 4 RBI.  Ridley, Casazza, and Hull would add multi-hit games.  Ridley continued his solid day belting a 3B to DEEP right-center, while collecting yet another SB.  Lutzka added 4 BBs, and another SB.  Keep an eye out this season as to who will claim the Donks SB crown in 2017.  

All in all, the Donks had a decent showing in week 1.  "We have a long way to go if we want to capture the Jon Garbaz Cup, but overall this was a good day for the Donks," stated Donks manager Ryan Lutzka.  The Donks will look to continue their winning ways this Sunday when they welcome the Eden Prairie Cardinals to Stan Cyson Field (NEAF #1) for their home opener.  Go Donks!  

Preseason Update 3/21/17

With the divisional draft and scheduling complete, the next chapter in TCMABL history feels imminently upon us.  

Nearly the entire roster has returned for the 2017 season.  The lone departure is Yaaaaaacob Mogged. A new job has forced him to move out of state, and his presence on the bench and in the field will be sorely missed.  In two years and 36 games with the Donks, Moggs compiled a .380 batting average, .871 OPS, 27R, 30RBI while contributing EXTREMELY AGGRESSIVE BASERUNNING and stalwart defense at the hot corner.  Best of luck to you!  Hopefully you'll come to your senses and move back to Minnesota in the near future.

The Donkeys are pleased to welcome back Matt Shaver to the squad this year.  After a few years out on the East Coast, he'll be moving back to the cities sometime during the summer.  We eagerly await the return of his stellar character and thunderous bat!

More additions may be on the horizon, but don't expect to read about them here.  In order to find out who these guys are, you'll just have to see us in action.