2021 Week 2 Recap- 

 

Game 1-

Looking to set the tone of the series and the season ahead, the Legends turned to perennial ace John Toraason to lead the charge in Week 2. Toraason was as good as advertised, holding the Avengers to 1 run over 5 innings. Toro's 6K performance earned him the win. Facing a battle tested Adam Reents on the mound for the Avengers, the Legends took advantage of a fast start, scoring 5 runs in the bottom of the 1st and held on to win 6-1. The offense was paced by leadoff hitter Michael Walsh and his 3-3 performance at the plate. Jon Lucktenberg (2-3, 2RBI), Carl Engbretson (1-3, 2RBI), Josh Thyen (1-3, RBI) and John Libbey (1-3, 2B) helped provide the run support. Erik Lundgren had 2 strong scoreless innings in relief.

 

Game 2-

Looking to sweep, the Legends outdid their 5-run 1st in Game 1 with a 10-run 1st in Game 2. An all around team effort saw the Legends put away the Avengers 17-4 via run rule after 6. Jared Anderson led the offense going 3-4 with a 2B and 4RBI. Carl Engbretson, Jon Lucktenberg and Rob McLain all had 2 hits in the win. Andrew Young made his season debut on the mound with a 1-2-3 inning to close the door.  

 

 

2021 Week 3 Preview-

The Legends sit at 3-1 heading into the Memorial Day break. Week 3 features a division matchup against the Bombers. The Bombers swept in our 2019 matchup, so we hope to even the score. Should be a couple of fun games.

2021 Week 1 Recap- 

 

Game 1-

The Legends opened the 2021 season at home against our latest rival the past few seasons, the EP Cardinals. Game 1 was as close as expected, another classic Legends Cards matchup. Scoreless through 3, the Cards scratched across a run to take a 1-0 lead going into the 5th. In the bottom of the 5th, the Legends broke through in a big way. New Legend Alex Houlihan came up with the bases loaded and promptly deposited a ball just below the scoreboard in left for a Grand Slam and gave the Legends a 4-1 lead. Jon Lucktenberg was dominant on the mound in his Legends return. Lucktenberg earned the win with 5 IP, 0ER, 2H, 5K & 0BB. The Cardinals wouldn't go away quietly, and after making the game 4-2 heading into the 7th, the Cards had the go-ahead run at the plate with 1 out. The Legends turned to their new closer, Grant Ryerese. With ice in his veins, Ryerse struck out the last two batters in order to earn his first save. Newcomers John Libbey and Carl Engbretson got their first career Legends hits in the win.

 

Game 2-

Game 2 saw the us dig ourselves a hole we couldn't climb out of. A 5 run EP 1st inning was all the offense needed for them to win G2. Carl Engbretson helped the cause with a 2-run double, but that was about the extent of our offense. Ryerse was solid again in relief, with 2.1 IP, 1H & 4K. Final score 6-3.

 

2021 Week 2 Preview-

After the moral victory of a split with the defending champs, the Legends turn their attention to Week 2 and a matchup with the Avengers. Looking for our first sweep of the season.

2021 Season Preview-

 

After a LONG offseason, the Nordeast Legends are back for 2021. With a new logo, new hats and plenty of new faces, we are looking forward to taking the next step and advancing deep into the playoffs.

 

We said goodbye to a number of teammates from 2019. We can't thank them enough for their contributions to the Legends.

 

Nate Erickson- Nate was an original Legend from the inaugural 1-21 season. Nate was always a steady presence on the mound, and had a rather dominant 2017, which saw him strike out the Sultan of Swat with the bases loaded in the bottom of the 7th to save the Legends' first team win against the Sea Donkeys. Nate remains in the TCMABL and we wish him well.

 

Pete Braun- Also an original Legend, Pete help provide a steady presence at 1B in the early years of Legends history. We won't ever forget his 3-run HR in the first round of the 2016 playoffs late against the Bombers.

 

Mike Heller- Mike was only on the Legends for the 2019 season before the call of Cali was too much. A vocal leader with a strong bat, Mike also provided value on the mound breaking the Legends out of our early 2019 slump with a strong outing to start the best stretch in Legends history, when we went 10-2.    

 

Christian Holcomb- Christian joined the Legends in 2018 and promptly hit .370. In 2019 Christian lead the pitching staff with an even 3.00 ERA. He can take pride in knowing he was an integral part of so many our wins, and should hang his hat on throwing a CG W against the Cardinals and then earning the Save in G2 for our first sweep of the Red Birds. Always ready with a laughable one-liner, we hope that Christian migrates north again before too long.

 

Scott O'Brien- There is little doubt Scott is the most talented ball player we've ever been lucky enough to have play for us. In 3 seasons with the Legends, Scott hit .356, .349 & .392. A menace on the bases and a walking web gem, Scott will be greatly missed. We can only hope Scott finds his way back to MN after finishing PT School. Scott would want you to know, "The Left Fielder has absolutely no arm".

 

 

We are happy to welcome 8 new faces and 1 returning Legend for 2021. 

 

Jon Lucktenberg- After a hiatus in CO, Lucky is back to lead the pitching staff, spray the ball over the yard and keep the mood light. We are thrilled to have him back.

 

Josh Thyen- A 2020 Legends commit, Josh has played in a few non-league games for us and we look forward to seeing him roam the OF and continue to mash.

 

Andrew Young- After subbing in 2019 and committing in 2020, Young will find himself all over the field in 2021. We can't understate the value of his versatility.

 

Alex Houlihan- A 2019 sub against the Coyotes saw Houlihan effortlessly hit 2 HR in 2 games. We look forward to him providing much of the same all season long in 2021.

 

Matt Brooks- Brooks has joined the Legends with a huge arm and hopes to help lead the Legends pitching staff as part of our roster overhaul.

 

Carl Engbretson- Carl joins the Legends and gives us a demanding presence, both behind the dish and as a lefty bat in the middle of the lineup.

 

Charlie Jones- Charlie joined the Legends as we searched for OF and P help. The youngest Legend on the squad, Charlie will cover lots of ground this season.

 

Grant Ryerse- Grant is long and lanky and throws a mean fastball. Grant will be a huge addition to help round out and bring our staff to the next level.

 

John Libbey- Libbey is an absolute wizard. The ball seems to find a way into his no glove no matter what. Libbey solidifies an already solid Legends IF, so good luck sneaking a ball through the hole anymore. 

 

 

 

Week 1 Preview- 

The Legends open the 2021 Season at home against the EP Cardinals. A fun rivalry has been born with those guys over the past few seasons. In 2019 the Legends swept the regular season matchup but lost to the Cards in the playoffs. We expect a couple of tightly contested ball games and can't wait to be out there again. 

2019 Playoffs Recap- 

 

The Legends matched up against the Cardinals in the first round of the 2019 playoffs. Despite sweeping the Cardinals during our regular season matchup, the Legends high powered offense could not get rolling against EP this time around, and the Legends were ousted 6-0. After an 0-8 start, the Legends finished the regular season 10-12 and made the playoffs for the fourth consecutive year.

2019 Week 11 Recap- 

 

Game 1-

The Legends were shorthanded this past week and facing a very talented Coyotes team. Nate Erickson was solid in relief, and 2020 Legend hopeful Alex Houlihan homered on the first pitch he saw. Nonetheless, the Legends lost 12-2 in 5 innings.

 

Game 2-

John Toraason was looking every bit like the Legends ace in G2 Sunday. Toraason pitched 5 solid innings against a really strong lineup on a really small field and kept the Legends in it. Toraason also homered in an impressive game. Houlihan homered again, with a rather exciting bat flip to match. The Coyotes talented lineup was too much for the Legends to contain for much longer, as we fall 7-3 in 8 innings.

 

2019 Playoff Preview-

The Legends finish the 2019 regular season 10-12, and after an 0-8 start, we are still feeling good heading to Burnsville. We earned the 6 seed in the National Division, and have a tough road ahead of us to win it all. But we are ready to roll.

2019 Week 10 Recap- 

 

Game 1-

A back and forth affair saw the Legends winning streak break, falling to the Expos 9-7. The story was a strong hitting Expos team, and not quite enough offensive fire power of our own. Michael Walsh and Mike Heller twice had back-to-back doubles in the effort.

 

Game 2-

G2 had a very similar feel to G1, except the Legends hung on to win 6-5. John Toraason, Christian Holcomb and Erik Lundgren combined for the win on the mound. Jared Anderson went 2-3 with a 2 run double in the win. 

 

2019 Week 11 Preview-

The Legends sit at 10-10 heading into the final week of the regular season. Having locked up a 4th consecutive playoff appearance, the Legends travel to Cottage Grove to play for seed.

2019 Week 9 Recap- 

The Legends could not be hotter. We played 3 games this weekend, and won all 3. 

 

Friday Night-

The Legends played the Saints Friday night. The Saints were hanging around, down 3-0 in the top of the 5th before the Legends scored 14 in the inning and got away after 5 by run-rule, 17-0. Erik Lundgren threw the 5 inning complete game shutout, only allowing 2 hits and striking out 3. 8 of 9 Legends offensive starters had hits in the effort, highlighted by Mike Heller's 2 2B.

 

Sunday Game 1-

The Legends were in a couple of dog-fights on Sunday. Game 1 was a gutsy performance from Christian Holcomb on the mound. Holcomb threw a CG allowing 2 runs to get the win. Down 2-0 in the bottom of the 5th, Rob McLain singled, and with 2 outs, Michael Walsh tripled for the Legends first run. Scott O'Brien then drove in the tying run with a single. In the bottom of the 6th, Austin Fuller came up huge with the team's first HR of the year, to dead center, giving the Legend's the lead 3-2. We scratched across an insurance run and hung on to win 4-2. 

 

Sunday Game 2-

The Legends offense was the story in G2, with 10 hits and 8 runs, we were feeling good. The Cardinals mounted a late comeback and got within a run when Christian Holcomb came in to shut the door and get the save after throwing all 7 in G1. Holcomb (2-4, R, RBI, SB) and Michael Walsh (2-4, 2R, 2B, 2RBI) paced the offense.

 

2019 Week 11 Preview-

Having now won 9 of 10, the Legends find themselves back at .500 despite an 0-8 start. Unbelievable. Next up is a matchup with the Expos.

2019 Week 8 Recap- 

The Legends played 3 games in Week 8. Friday night saw a continuation of a game against the Inidans that had been suspended due to rain ealier. Sunday double header was at home against the Avengers.

 

Friday Night-

Despite leading 5-1 with 2 outs in the bottom of the 3rd when the game was called due to rain, the rule book was broken out and our 5 runs from the top of the 3rd were erased. Legends go on to lose 2-1 despite outscoring the Inidans 6-2.

 

Sunday Game 1-

John Harper was solid on the mound again, giving the Legends 6 competitive innings allowing 3 runs (2ER) and striking out 5. The offense drew 9 walks, highlighted by a Scott O'Brien 3B. Legends win 11-4.

 

Sunday Game 2-

John Toraason and Erik Lundgren combined to shut down the Avengers in G2, allowing 2 runs in 7 innings. Scott O'Brien was 2-2 before being removed for precautionary reasons with a sore left shoulder. A well rounded offensive attack put up 5 runs in the 5-2 win.

 

2019 Week 9 Preview-

Despite a blip due to the rulebook, the Legends are hot now, having won 6 of 7. Next week will see a Friday night matchup against the Saints, and a showdown with the Legends latest rvials, the Cardinals.

2019 Week 7 Recap- 

WOW. The Legends made the most of the hottest Sunday of the year and walked away from Vadnais Hieghts having swept the Ducks in unbelievable fashion. Game 1 was a back and forth battle that needed 10 innings for the Legends to win 5-3. Game 2 was the best comeback in Legends history. One strike away from being run-ruled 12-1 in the 5th, the Legends chipped away and scored 7 in the bottom of the 7th to walk off the Ducks 13-12. The sweep helped the Legends get back into the 2019 playoff picture.

 

Game 1-

John Harper was solid on the mound again, giving the Legends 6 competitive innings allowing 3 runs and striking out 5. Nate Erickson was brilliant in relief throwing 4 scoreless innings to get the win. Austin Fuller is rounding into from at the plate, going 2-5 with a 2B. Joey "Hoon" Corbett was also 2-5 with 2 clutch RBI. Aggressive baserunning all day long, especially from Christian Holcomb in the 10th, allowed the Legends to scratch across the winning run and get a big win 5-3.

 

Game 2-

We got off to a rough start in game 2 and found ourselves down 12-1 in the 5th inning without much of a fight. Pulling some starters, and getting Jared Anderson out of the catchers gear for the first time in the blistering heat, the Legends were looking ready to pack it in and go home with a split. A few clutch hits in the bottom of the 5th broke up the idea of a run-rule and made the score 12-4 going to the 6th. Pete Braun was incredible on the mound from the 5th on, throwing 3 scoreless innings. The Legends scored 2 in the bottom of the 6th, but left the bases loaded. The bottom of the 7th saw the Legends draw a lot of walks, reach on a HBP and an error to make the score 12-10 with the bases loaded for Austin Fuller who ripped a 3-run 3B to right to walk off the Ducks 13-12 in dramatic fashion. A cast of usual suspects, Michael Walsh (2-4, 2RBI, 3R, 1SB), Scott O'Brien (2-3, 1RBI, 1R, 1SB), Keir Anderson (2-4, 2B, 3RBI, 2R) and Austin Fuller (2-4, 3B, 5RBI, 1R, 1SB) led the charge for the best comeback in team history.

 

2019 Week 8 Preview-

After an 8-game losing streak to start the season, the Legends are heating up, having won 4 in a row. Next up is a home series with the Avengers as we look to creep even closer to the .500 mark. Be on the lookout for a potential Friday night makeup with either the Saints or Indians coming soon.

2019 Week 6 Recap- 

Better late than never, the Legends found the win column in Week 6. The Legends beat the Saints 10-4 on Friday night. Momentum was carried into Sunday as the Legends won 4-0 in Game 1 against the Indians. Game 2 was suspended due to rain in the bottom of the 3rd, with the Legends leading 5-1. 

 

Friday Night Lights-

After a pep talk from 2018 Legend Kyle Kortebein, the Legends came out inspired against the Saints Friday night. The Legends turned to newcomer Mike Heller to right the ship, and Heller (5IP, 1ER, 10K) was better than advertised. Offensively the Legends ran all over the Saints, stealing 11 bases without getting thrown out. We broke out the bats in a balanced attack that racked up 13 hits. John Toraason shut the door with a dominant 1-2-3 7th. 

 

Sunday Game 1-

The Legends were feeling good after winning Friday night, and the good vibes carried over to Game 1 Sunday. Newcomer John Harper took the mound and never looked back. Harper (7IP, 0R, 8K) was brilliant, throwing a complete game shutty deserving of POW consideration. The Indians and their pitching staff played a solid game, but the Legends scratched across 4 runs. Scott O'Brien brought all sorts of heart to the ball field Sunday and sparked the offense with his hustle on a triple that lead to the game's first run. Keir and Jared Anderson (not related...) both provided doubles in the winning effort. With rock solid defense, the Legends put it all together and played "Legends Baseball" which we have become accustomed to playing the past few years.

 

Sunday Game 2-

Trying to beat the rain in Game 2, the Legends turned to their ace John Toraason. With more hustle on the base paths, solid defense, and taking advantage of one miscue in otherwise unbelievable Indians defense, the Legends were off and running to an early 5-1 lead before the rain took over and suspended play. We will look to finish this game sooner rather than later. On the way out of the dugout, Toro summed the weekend up- "We're back baby"

 

2019 Week 7 Preview-

During an off week for the 4th of July, the Legends will look to stay sharp and keep this momentum going. Be on the lookout for a second makeup game against the Saints, and the conclusion of Game 2 against the Indians in the near future. On July 14th, the Legends travel to take on the Ducks. This matchup carries a lot of weight as we are tied with the Ducks for the last playoff spot in the National Division.