2007 Honkers Youth Training Camp
2008 Independent League Standings
Grantsburg 11, St. Croix 5
A strong north wind off of Lake Superior greeted the Grantsburg nine on Saturday evening in Solon Springs, proving once again that you always need to pack the long sleeves and the extra blankets when you travel north to take on the Ravens. Despite that strong breeze blowing in from left, the Honkers managed to score 11 runs and pick up a victory in the first game of the Independent League season. Bryan Johnson's grand slam capped an 8-run ninth inning that turned a tight game into a lopsided result.
With the score tied 3-3, Johnson led off the ninth inning with a hard single down the first base line, and center fielder Bryan Vilstrup followed up with a single to move Johnson to second. After a passed ball allowed the baserunners to move up to second and third, Ravens pitcher Kyle Visger struck out Nick Hetfeld and then intentionally walked Ty Gerber to load the bases and get to Dan Hinrichs, who was 0-for-3 in the game. The strategy backfired, however, as Hinrichs ripped a two-run single to center to give the Honkers the lead.
Michael Johnson then walked to re-load the bases, and following a Brandon Kaiser strikeout, Chris Ryan picked up an RBI with his fourth hit of the game, making the score 6-3. Ted Gerber's infield single off the plate made it 7-3, and then Johnson's bomb capped off the 8-run, 7-hit inning. Johnson matched Ryan with four hits on the game which led a 15-hit night for Grantsburg.
The Ravens didn't go quietly in their half of the ninth, as they strung together a few hits, scored a couple runs, and had the bases loaded for their cleanup hitter Brad Glassmaker. Johnson, however, was able to come back and retire Glassmaker and catcher Dale Rajala to preserve the victory.
The Honkers' next game will be in Siren at 1pm on Sunday, May 25th.
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
Total |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grantsburg | 1 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
8 |
11 |
|
| St. Croix | 0 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
5 |
W- Bryan Johnson
L- Kyle Visger
lifetime hits on GrantsburgHonkers.com.