2023 Championship Recap- 

We were ambushed early and often in the TCMABL Championship Game. Hats off to the Giants who came out swinging and found the holes in our defense in the top of the 1st. By the time the dust had settled and we got our first 3 outs, 14 Giants had come to the plate and 10 had scored. A rather bleak start to our first Championship game appearance, but thankfully there was plenty of baseball left. Erik Lundgren came out of the pen and started to settle in as the offense began chipping away. Jon Lucktenberg doubled home John Libbey in the bottom of the 2nd for our 1st run. Rob McLain would double home 2 more in the bottom of the 3rd to make it 10-3 after 3. The Giants added another gut punch in the top of the 4th by plating 3 to extend their lead to 13-3. Things would start to get interesting in the bottom of the 4th though as a 2-out rally led to 6 runs, the exclamation point coming from John Libbey's bases clearing double to make it 13-9 after 4. At this point Lundgren really started to dial in, as he would only allow 2 more infield singles from that point on, finishing his day with 7 fantastic innings to help keep us in the game. We took advantage of some free passes handed out by the Giants in the 5th, and Keir Anderson made it hurt with a 2-out single to bring us within 1, down 13-12. Momentum is a funny thing, and after a horrible start, it was clearly on our side at this point in the game. Jared Anderson pieced a 2-run double in the 6th for us to take our first lead, 14-13. We wouldn't stop there and led 18-13 after 6. Now firing on all cylinders, our offensive attack added 2 runs in the bottom of the 7th, and 1 more in the bottom of the 8th for good measure, totaling 21 on the day. John Libbey took care of business on the mound for the last 2 innings, as a 4-6-3 double play cemented our first league championship. Final score Legends 21 - Giants 13.

 

Our ace, Jon Lucktenberg was named TCMABL 2023 Postseason MVP! Lucky threw 14 innings, picking up 2 wins while only allowing 4 earned runs, and also going 6-12 with 4 RBI in posteason play.

2023 Semifinals Playoff Recap- 

The Cardinals swept us in the regular season, but we were determined not to lose a 3rd time. Our ace Jon Lucktenberg did everything he could to ensure that we would find our way to the league championship game. Lucky was absolutely fantastic as he threw 8 innings, giving up 2 runs, 1 earned, while striking out 2 and walking 1. He also added a 2-run double in the top of the 2nd to give us a 2-0 lead. We would score again in the top of the 4th as 6 straight singles led to 5 more runs. Michael Walsh, Jared Anderson, and Keir Anderson all had RBI in the frame. The offense was stifled from that point on, but 7 runs would be enough as Grant Ryerse came in to shut things down in the 9th for the W. Final score Legends 7 - Cardinals 2.

 

2023 Championship Preview-

We'll get to play in our first league championship game tomorrow. We haven't played the Giants this year, but we are looking forward to an exciting game and a great experience.

2023 Quarterfinals Playoff Recap- 

Getting a 1st round playoff bye was nice. Having to play the Sea Donkeys? Less so... P Jon Lucktenberg stranded a leadoff single in the top of the 1st, and then we jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the 1st. Leadoff hitter and CF Jackson Nelson reached on an error caused by a deceptively quick infield dirt. C Jared Anderson singled to right to put 2 runners aboard. With 1 out, 3B Grant Ryerse doubled to right-center on the first pitch he saw to score 1 and put runners at 2nd & 3rd. LF Rob McLain came through with his first clutch hit of the day, a 2-RBI single to make it 3-0. Lucky glided through the 2nd and 3rd innings without a baserunner. We threatened in the 2nd but couldn't score, stranding SS Michael Walsh at 3rd base. The Donkeys broke through in the 4th, as 3 singles and a walk led to 2 runs. We would respond in the bottom of the 4th, as Lucky drew a walk, Walsh legged out an infield single to flip the lineup where Nelson came through with an RBI single to make the score 4-2. Lucky would work around a 2-out walk in the 5th, and we lined into a bad luck double play line drive back to the pitcher to erase our hopes of adding on in the bottom of the frame. Two singles and a Sac Fly by the Donkeys in the 6th made things even closer as Luck would end his day on the mound with a 4-3 lead. We lined into another double play in the bottom of the 6th before handing the game ball to Erik Lundgren for the 7th. A fly ball lost in the sun made things really interesting as the Donkeys would score once to tie things at 4, but Lundgren limited the damage to nothing more. In the bottom of the 7th, DH Carl Engbretson drew a 2-out walk, and his courtesy runner went 1st to 3rd on Ryerse's 3rd hit of the day. Once again, McLain came through with a clutch, 2-out RBI single to put us back in front, 5-4. We handed the ball to Ryerse for the 2-inning save, but not without drama. 2 singles and a sac bunt put runners on 2nd and 3rd with only 1 out in the 8th. Ryerse showed the ice he has in his veins as he bookended a walk with 2 backwards Ks to get out of the inning with the lead intact, and the Donks leaving the bases loaded. We went quietly in the bottom of the 8th, perhaps too eager for the 9th. Emery hustled for a 1-out double, but a huge swinging K of the Donkey's 5-hitter and a final ground ball got us out with an even bigger W. Final score Legends 5 - Sea Donkeys 4.

 

 

2023 Semifinals Playoff Preview-

We advanced to Championship weekend for the first time in team history. We have another incredibly tough game ahead as we'll take on the EP Cardinals Saturday morning at 11, with a spot in the TCMABL Championship game on the line.

2023 Week 11 Recap- 

 

Game 1-

Our magic number for locking in the #2 seed and earning a first-round playoff by was down to 1 heading into the final week of the regular season. Field maintenance at Donaldson shifted this series up to the brand-new Gleason Field complex in Maple Grove. Rather than relying on the Cards/Donks series to secure our playoff bye, we took care of business ourselves. Emphatically. We jumped all over the Bombers at the 10am start and never looked back. Lucky danced out of trouble in the top of the 1st, and then the offense exploded for a 5-run bottom, which would be more than enough. We tacked on 1 run in the 4th and "walked off" in the bottom of the 5th with 4 more runs for the 10-0 run-rule win. 8 hits up and down the lineup encapsulated our well-rounded attack, while Lucky dialed in and delivered the 5-inning CG, not allowing a base runner after the 1st. Final score Legends 10 - Bombers 0 in 5 innings.

 

Game 2-

With our playoff spot locked in, the victory lap commenced. Emptying the bench, flipping the lineup, and pitching by committee was the approach for the noon game. We have to tip our caps to the Bomber's Lyons, who was on cruise control all afternoon. Grant Ryerse and Keir Anderson had back-to-back doubles for our only run of the game. We gave up a handful of runs, but left Maple Grove with a smile, despite the 4-1 L. Final score Legends 1 - Bombers 4.

 

Week 10 Makeup-

We have such a silly rule about rain delays occurring mid-inning... We decided with the Yotes to ignore the inning restart rule and pick up exactly where we left off, giving the Yotes their run back and picking this game up at 1-1 in the top of the 2nd. We would score 2 in the bottom of the 2nd and do our best to get out of Cottage Grove while we still had daylight. This game had no playoff seeding implications and turned out to be a friendly playoff tune-up. Final score Legends 3 - Coyotes 2.

 

2023 Playoff Preview-

Our first ever playoff bye means we will not be playing in the first round on Saturday. We'll jump straight to the TCMABL Quarterfinals, as we await either the Sea Donkeys or the winner of the Saints/Bombers matchup.

2023 Week 10 Recap- 

 

Game 1-

We were a little nervous heading out to Cottage Grove to take on the undefeated defending champs, especially with a 9-man squad in Game 1. Lucky put the team on his back and fired strikes while keeping the Coyotes off balance and off the scoreboard for 5 shutout innings. The Yotes would threaten a couple times, but solid Legends defense stepped up when needed most to keep the shutout intact. We were able to scratch across 3 runs in the 3rd, 2 more in the 6th, and then really break things open with 4 runs in the 6th for a 9-0 lead when closer Grant Ryerse came in for the final 2 innings. Ryerse worked 2 scoreless to lock up the shutout win in Game 1. Jackson Nelson, Grant Ryerse, and Jon Lucktenberg each had 2 hits, while Michael Walsh and Rob McLain also tallied a knock each in the W. Final score Legends 9 - Coyotes 0.

 

Game 2-

The afternoon game got postponed after 1 complete inning, with the Legends up 1-0. Hopefully we can finish this game soon.

 

 

2023 Week 11 Preview-

A win moves us to 16-3 and moves the magic number down to 1 to lock up the 2-seed and a playoff bye. We'll look to do the job ourselves with a win in Game 2 against the Coyotes, or against the Bombers next Sunday to finish off the regular season, back at Donaldson for the first time since June 18th.

2023 Week 9 Recap- 

 

Game 1-

The Legends picked a bad week to play our worst brand of baseball. A full squad left little room for excuses, as we tip our hats to the Cards for their sweep. We battled a bit in game 1, being down 5-3 after 6, when the Cardinals broke things open with a 7-spot in the 7th. Final score Legends 4 - Cardinals 12.

 

Game 2-

Game 2 ended up much closer in score but had a similar feel to it. John Toraason battled, keeping us alive for most of the game. We did break through with a 3-run 6th inning to briefly take a 3-2 lead, but the Cardinals responded with 2 in the bottom half of the inning and hung on to win. Final score Legends 3 - Cardinals 4.

 

 

2023 Week 10 Preview-

Now 15-3, we have to scrape out a few more wins the rest of the way to secure a bye. The task doesn't get much easier next week, having to travel to Cottage Grove to take on the undefeated Coyotes. 

2023 Week 8 Recap- 

 

Game 1-

The Diamond Jaxx were a great challenge in week 8. Lucky did everything he could to keep the Jaxx in check, battling through 6 innings, allowing 1 run. Our offense was slow out of the gates, but eventually broke through for 3 runs in the top of the 6th. Keir Anderson doubled twice, Carl Engbretson drew 3 walks, and Jared Anderson had the clutch 2-RBI double we desperately needed. Christian Holcomb came in the shut things down in the 7th, and did so, largely in part to a clutch relay from the left-center fence to throw out the would-be tying run at home to end the game. Final score Legends 3 - Diamond Jaxx 2. 

 

Game 2-

John Toraason was great in game 2, going 6 strong innings, allowing just 1 run while striking out 6. The offense showed a bit more life, totaling 9 hits and 5 runs. Jackson Nelson and Jon Lucktenberg each had 2 hits, with Lucky's being a clutch 2-RBI double to break things open a bit. Erik Lundgren shut things down in the 7th with a scoreless inning to preserve the W. Final score Legends 5 - Diamond Jaxx 1.

 

 

2023 Week 9 Preview-

Moving to 15-1 sets up a huge series with the Cardinals, with a shot at first place on the line. Games will be played at Big Willow.

 

2023 Week 7 Recap- 

 

Game 1-

On the road again in week 7, the Legends travelled to play the Hippos. After a brief rain delay in the first inning, we got rolling, again. We stacked up hits up and down the lineup, while Jared Anderson doubled twice, and Grant Ryerse had a loud home run to dead center to lead the charge. Lucky, Ryerse, and Wynn Stoxen combined to shutout the Hippos on just 4 hits in the 5-inning W. Final score Legends 15 - Hippos 0 in 5 innings.

 

Game 2-

More of the same in game 2, as we scored in every inning, while Erik Lundgren and Christian Holcomb held the Hippos to 1 run over 5 innings. Jared Anderson had 2 hits, and Keir Anderson had a "walk-off" sac fly in the bottom of the 5th. Final score Legends 11 - Hippos 1 in 5 innings. 

 

 

2023 Week 8 Preview-

Now 13-1, we are on the road yet again to play the Diamond Jaxx in St. Paul. We've never played the Jaxx. Should be a fun series.

2023 Week 6 Recap- 

 

Congrats to Grant Ryerse (6/7, GS HR, 2BB, HBP, 8RBI, 6R, SB) on being named the TCMABL 18+ Player of the Week for Week 6!

 

Game 1-

After a week off for the All-Star/4th of July break, we were eager to get back at it this week against the Saints in Stillwater. Things started off with a bang, literally, as lead off hitter and All-Star CF Jackson Nelson blasted a solo shot to right to start the scoring. We continued to add on in the first, with the exclamation coming in the form of a 2-out Grand Slam from SS Michael Walsh to make the score 7-0. The bats were quiet for the next two innings, but that wouldn't last long as we added on 7 runs in both the 4th and 5th innings, leading to a franchise record 22 runs. Tons of offensive lines to highlight... Jackson Nelson went 3-4 with a HR & 2B. Jared Anderson was 1-3 with a 2B. Carl Engbretson drew 4 walks. Grant Ryerse was 2-3 with 2RBI. Rob McLain was 2-3 with a 2B and RBI. John Libbey 1-2 with a 2B, BB and RBI. Michael Walsh 1-1 with a HR, BB and 4RBI. All to be outdone by the pitching staff as Jon Lucktenberg (4IP, 3K) and Wynn Stoxen (1IP, 1K) combined for the 5-inning CG No-Hitter. Final score Legends 22 - Saints 0 in 5 innings. 

 

Game 2-

The noon game was much closer, for most of the game. We were up 1-0 after the first, and 5-0 after the second, stringing together some timely knocks. The Saints would battle though, making the score 5-4 heading to the bottom of the 4th. A pitching change by the Saints allowed us to get rolling, as we put up 11 runs over the next 3 frames for the 6-inning "walk-off" 16-4. Jared Anderson had a huge second game, going 4-4 with 2 doubles and a 3-run bomb. Grant Ryerse was scheduled to pitch the top of the 7th, but decided he'd rather go home early and crushed our second Grand Slam of the day to end the game. Ryerse had 4 hits and 6 RBI in the game. Jackson Nelson added 2 more hits and Carl Engbretson walked 4 more times, bringing his total on the day to 8(!). Pitch-by-committee worked once again, as John Toraason, John Libbey, John Harper, and Erik Lundgren all pitched in the win. Harper struck out the side in his inning of work. Final score Legends 16 - Saints 4 in 6 innings.

 

 

2023 Week 7 Preview-

Now 11-1, the Legends continue our road trip as we head back to St. Paul to take on the Hippos.

2023 Week 5 Recap- 

 

Game 1-

Saturday rain that continued into Sunday morning put our week 5 games in jeopardy. A few of our guys got to the True Blue home field early and immediately got to work prepping the diamond. It would have been for naught until the St. Paul field crew showed up with the right tools to make the field playable. Maybe anticipating a rain-out, our bats took a while to get going, not cracking the hit column until the 4th inning when the score was already 1-0 in favor of the True Blue. Carl Engbretson's single to break up the no-no in the 4th eventually came around to score and tie the game at 1. It also sparked the fire as we put together 7 straight baserunners in the 5th for a 4-run inning to take a 5-1 lead. 5 would prove to be more than enough as Lucky made quick work all day long, going 6 innings with 7 Ks for the W. Carl Engbretson and Austin Fuller each had 2 hits while Grant Ryerse worked a scoreless 7th on the mound to wrap things up. Final score Legends 5 - True Blue 1.

 

Game 2-

Not wasting any time in game 2, our bats were hot from the first pitch, as 4 doubles in the first 2 innings got us up 3-0 and then 5-0. As quickly as the bats got hot, they also quieted down... as we didn't score the rest of the game. It wouldn't matter though, as vintage Toro was on full display. John Toraason struck out 8 over 5 scoreless innings, while Christian Holcomb came on in relief and showed how he was so dominant as a starter a few years back, striking out 2 over 2 perfect innings. Carl Engbretson and Grant Ryerse each doubled, while Jared Anderson doubled twice to pace the offense early. Final score Legends 5 - True Blue 0.

 

 

2023 Week 6 Preview-

After the July 4th break, your 9-1 Legends will travel to Stillwater to take on the 6-4 Saints in an important division matchup.