Federal League Baseball | Minnesota

FED REPORT /// WEEK ONE
(May 1st - May 7th)

The winter was tough, the spring was even tougher - but we are finally here. Baseball season.

One of the founding teams of the Federal League, the Richfield Rockets are looking for an inspired resurgence after the passing of their manager Ron Cotton this off-season. The first game of the season showed us a nice preview of what we might expect from the new and improved Rockets this season.

Enter former Missouri native Colin Warren, the former Jewel College relief pitcher, made an impact in his debut, fanning thirteen fish and shutting out River Falls in a 4-0 opening day win for Richfield. Warren also doubled in the win. Matt Hasseler drove in two. The Rockets next test would be the Rosemount Pipers, one of two new teams to join the league over the winter.

Rosemount announced its presence of authority starting out with two wins last Sunday. The Pipers made quick work of the Senators pitching a two hitter and winning 5-0. Piper pitching struck out eleven. Two hours later they battled St. Michael and scratched a run in the bottom of the fifth and held on to a 4-3 win to start the season 2-0. Will Hervin went 2-3 with a run scored for the Angels.

Two days earlier St. Michael dropped its Opener to the Snappers 4-1. Even though the Angels had twelve hits including multi-hit games from Derek Williamson, Jesse Gaibor, Mike Mickelson and Adam Sobiech they could only manage one run across as Snappers hurler Jasen Kapaun frustrated St. Michael all day. Kapaun pitched a complete seven and struck out two.

Josh Stoll pitches a three hit complete game as Apple Valley wins 6-1 over St. Croix. Tim Scott with two hits and one driven in to help the Athletics. Dan Miller, Paul Bissonette and Derek Bonsor all doubled for the green apples.

The rich got richer as the two-time defending AAA champs added Emery Hull to the roster and he didn’t disappoint as he homered and drove in three runs and scored three in his debut as the Mammoth destroyed the Voyageurs 16-0. Hull also stole two bags just for kicks.

Last year's AAA runner ups started off strong as Minnoka won 13-0 over the Bombers. The Grays got help up and down the lineup hitting four doubles including two from Joey Olson who also drove in five runs. Bub Lovas pitched one hit ball through four innings and got the win.

Rockford won 10-7 over St. Anthony, a big game early in the season. Todd Haag doubled twice and Troy Loomis drove in four for the Rail Splitters. Dustin Gingerich had three hits for the Norse in the loss. Burnsville over South Metro 7-3.

Capital City won in extra innings over the new look Diablos 6-5 - Adam Langner drove in the winning run. Mike Lewis had two hits and drove in two. James Zapf picked up the eight-inning win. Andy Allgood doubled and had two hits and a run in the loss for the devils.

Tony Rome took a no-hitter into the fifth inning to help last years A Champions Webster win 1-0 against Elko. Romo completed the game, striking out four and walking none. Brent Cheney went 3-4 scoring the lone run knocked in from a Brandon Sather double.

Cullen McDermott’s four hit game helped Northfield win its opener 11-5 over Lonsdale. McDermott also doubled, scored two runs and drove in two.

New Market takes an early 2-0 jump in the South standings with wins over Milltown and Veseli on back to back days. Steve LeBens went 2-4 with a triple and knocked in two. Joey Schnoor and Andy Finstuen also had two hits each. Ryan Jewison picked up the win, fanning four in five innings against Milltown. LeBens had another two hits to go along with doubles from Nate Otto, Taylor Pagel and Matt Paulsen to help the Fish win 9-6 over the Vulcans. Last years AA Champions are looking to get back to the AAA bracket.