Hollander Finish With a Bang

Yesterday's game against the Brownton Bruins marked the end of the 2017 regular season for the Cologne Hollanders and it was a must win. The Hollanders were sitting at a 10 seed, but could make a big jump up with a win over Brownton. Alex Meeker got the call to be the starting hurler and he delivered by giving what was probably his best pitched game of the year. During Meeker's outting the Bruins only managed to get one man to third base, but that didn't last as shortstop Carter Clemensen was able to back pick him on a rare 4-6-5 double play. The Hollanders were able to shut out the Bruins due to great pitching from Meeker, Kyle Brazil, and Tanner Luebke and great defense. The Hollanders were able to score the game's first runs in the bottom of the second as Anthony Brenner started the inning with a single, Tim Swanson reached on the fielder's choice, Jon Kummer hit a double over the left fielder's head, and then Tanner knocked in Gavin Celichowski (courtesy running for Swanson) and Kummer with a single. The score remained 2-0 until the seventh when Cologne scored another run as Kyle Twait and Casey Clemensen both singled and Kyle Brazil got his first RBI of the game. It was in the bottom of the eighth when the game broke open. With one out Kummer started the inning with his second double of the game followed by a single from Luebke. Kraig Peterson got his RBI as Bruin thirdbaseman was unable to throw out Kummer at the plate after a ground ball. Twait then singled to load the bases and Casey brought in a run after getting hit by a pitch. Then Kyle Brazil put the game away with one swing as he lined a grand-slam over the right-centerfield wall for his fifth homerun of the season. 

With the 9-0 win of Brownton the Hollanders were able to move up to eighth place in the Crow River Valley League. For the first round Cologne will be playing a best of three game series against the nine seeded Windsted Wildcats. First game will be played Wednesday night at 7:30pm in Cologne, game two will be held on Friday night at 7:30pm in Winsted, and, if needed, the deciding game will be played on Sunday in Cologne. Hope to see everyone at the parks as Cologne makes their way to the regional tournament.

Ga Hollanders!