The Chaska Cubs have started their season in strong fashion.

During the month of May, they went 6-1, scoring 60 runs (an average of 8.5 runs per game) while allowing only 19 runs (2.7 runs per game).

June started much the same way May ended. The Cubs defeated the Metro Knights 14-3 on June 2, were rained out on June 4, and then traveled to Waconia on June 5 to face the Lakers in a home-and-home series.

The Cubs took the Friday night game 8-3 to improve their season record to 8-1.

With a slight drizzle falling at game time on June 7, the 2-2 Lakers came to historic Chaska Athletic Park looking to even the season series.

The Cubs are beginning to see some of their collegiate players return to the dugout. Nolan Kemp started on the mound for Chaska, and while he gave up a hit in the first inning, he also struck out three batters. Kemp pitched four complete innings, striking out six, walking three, and allowing no runs.

The on-again, off-again drizzle and light rain helped keep the game close and slowed play for significant stretches.

The game remained scoreless until the fifth inning when Waconia got a hit, the runner stole second base, and then scored on a fielder’s choice to put the Lakers ahead 1-0. Waconia added another run in the sixth inning after a couple of walks and a deep single to left-center field. The Lakers scored their final two runs in the seventh inning when a leadoff double eventually came around to score on subsequent hits.

Chaska finally got on the scoreboard in the bottom of the eighth inning. Alex Twenge delivered a two-out single to right field. Fellow left-hander Jaeger Solis then homered over the right-field wall to cut the deficit to 4-2 in favor of Waconia.

After the game, the players and coaches were understandably disappointed in the outcome.

Comments overheard included, “They played well,” “The starting pitcher had some good stuff,” and “It just wasn’t our day.”

However, the players were not discouraged. As one person noted, “It’s still early. We learned some things today, and there’s a lot of baseball left to be played this season.”

The Cubs are entering the heart of their season and will have multiple games scheduled each week.

Upcoming home games include June 10 against Burnsville (7 p.m.), and June 14 against Shakopee (5 p.m.). Follow the team’s website for schedule updates