Costly errors down Braves again, this time against Pierz

BRAINERD -- The Brainerd Braves must be feeling a little snake bit as for the second game in a row costly errors led to a second consecutive heartbreaking loss, this time a 10-8 loss at the hands of the Pierz Bulldogs Sunday in Victory League action.

Brainerd committed five errors in the game for a total of 10 errors through the first two games. The Braves had 11 hits and have 24 in the first two games.

"What's killing us is errors," Braves manager Derek Owen said, "and they're coming at the worst possible times. Our sticks are there and we're scoring runs but the errors are killing us."

The Bulldogs jumped out to an 8-2 lead through the first six innings. Paul Herman had a home run, three RBI and scored four runs while Shawn Fischer and Bob Pohlkamp each added three hits apiece.

Brainerd came roaring back as it scored three runs in the seventh and three more in the ninth to force extra innings. Nick Engebretson had two doubles, three RBI while Owen and Ben Houle each added two hits apiece.

Tony Whitlock started the game on the mound for Brainerd and went 10 innings, striking out 10 and walking only one.

"Despite the errors we crawled right back in game," said Owen. "We had the winning run on second in the ninth and we had the winning run on third in the 10th so we had our chances.

"Give credit to the Bulldogs, they swung the bat and put the ball in play, we just made too many errors."

Pierz Bulldogs 10 12 6

Brainerd 8 11 5

WP -- Pete Herman. LP -- Brad Streiff. 2B -- Brd.-Derek Owen, Nick Engebretson 2. HR -- P-Paul Herman.

St. Mathias 7,

Cuyuna Range 3

CROSBY -- Kyle Berg went 3-for-5 with two RBI while Adam Hardy, Nick Dirks and Ty Adams each rapped out two hits apiece as the Devils downed the Miners 7-3 Sunday.

St. Mathias pitcher Caleb McDonald picked up the win, going five innings and giving up two runs on no hits with two strikeouts and six walks.

St. Mathias 7 13 2

Cuyuna 3 2 2

WP -- Caleb McDonald. LP -- James Freese.

Fort Ripley 7, Harding 2

HARDING -- Curt Veith had four hits, including a double and three RBI, and Devon Roberts added three hits and scored two runs as the Ft. Ripley Rebels beat the Harding Dinosaurs 7-2 Sunday.

Eric Hanneken and Dan Rocheleau each had two hits apiece for the Dinosaurs.

Fort Ripley 7 18 3

Harding 2 6 2

WP -- Tim Hoglin. LP -- Dan Rocheleau. 2B -- FR-Curt Veith, Tim Veith.

Lastrup 2, Buckman 1

BUCKMAN -- Lastrup scored the winning run in the seventh inning on an error and the Lakers managed just two hits in a 2-1 win over the Buckman Billygoats Sunday.

Jason Gross got the win on the mound for the Lakers as he pitched six innings and gave up one run on nine hits with nine strikeouts and one walk.

Lastrup 2 2 3

Buckman 1 11 3

WP -- Jason Gross. LP -- Adam Carlson. Save -- Dan Saehr.

Pierz Brewers 8, Foley 7

PIERZ -- Dan Kimman's infield single tied the game at seven in the bottom of the ninth inning and Russ Woitalla's sacrifice fly to right field gave the Pierz Brewers an 8-7 win over the Foley Outlaws Sunday.

Jason Sadlovsky had three hits for Pierz and Steve Kimman added a double and three RBI.

Foley 7 12 5

Pierz Brewers 8 9 4

WP -- Alex Gruber. LP -- Chris Nies. 2B -- P-Steve Kimman, Dan Kimman.