With a strong July underway, the Chaska Cubs (19-6) took on the West Tonka Waves (6-8) on a warm and muggy July 15 at Athletic Park.
The Cubs, still ranked third in Class A of the Minnesota State Baseball League, had gone 6-1 in July, scoring 60 runs while recording two shutouts. Three of those wins came by nine runs or more.
New to the roster, right-hander Marcus Champagne took the mound for the Cubs. He struck out the first Waves batter and surrendered a triple to the second hitter, who scored on a sacrifice fly.
That unfortunate start was quickly erased by the Cubs in the bottom of the first. Zak Brown walked, stole second and advanced to third on a wild pitch. With Jacob Welter on first after drawing a walk, Walker Rogers hit a deep sacrifice fly to center, scoring Brown. Welter later scored on a passed ball, giving the Cubs a 2-1 lead after one inning.
The Cubs’ offense channeled the heat of the evening into their bats over the next three innings. West Tonka’s pitching also contributed, walking the first two batters in the second before Orlando Rios singled to load the bases. Zak Brown then singled, driving in two runs. Hayden Anthony followed with an RBI single, and Walker Rogers drove in another run on a fielder’s choice to make the score 7-1 after two innings.
Drew Carney began the Cubs’ third inning by being hit by a pitch. He stole second and advanced on a Tyler Polster single. Nolan Kemp was then hit by a pitch to reach first. While Kemp stole second, Carney stole home to add another run. Kemp later scored after Zak Brown reached first on a West Tonka throwing error.
Although the Cubs recorded two quick outs to begin the fourth inning, the remainder of the lineup used timely hitting and aggressive baserunning to score three more runs, extending the lead to 12-1.
Parker Killian singled to start the rally, stole second, and Drew Carney, Tyler Polster and Jacob Welter each drew walks. Orlando Rios then singled home two runs.
The Waves failed to score in the fifth, giving the Cubs a 10-run victory via the mercy rule. The timing was fortunate, as smoke from the northern wildfires had begun drifting into the area, creating an eerie haze over Athletic Park.
Champagne pitched four innings, striking out six batters (three looking and three swinging) while allowing just two hits. Sam Tyrpa pitched the fifth inning, retiring the side to complete the shortened game.
After the game, Coach Ben Henrickson commented that it was a good team win.
“We got some guys out there tonight we like to see get some action — not our regulars, but great ballplayers,” he said. “Marcus did great, and we wanted Sam to get some pitches in as well.”
The Cubs improved to 2-3 in Section 2 of Class A, where St. Patrick leads at 7-1. The Cubs are scheduled to face section rival Shakopee on July 17 before returning home on Sunday, July 19, to face an opponent yet to be determined.
The Cubs have nine games remaining this season before the state playoffs, with seven of those games to be played at Athletic Park.
