One game. That's all it took for the 2010 Chargers to exceed last year's playoff win total. Spring Hill started off the second season with one of their better overall games of the season, shutting out the visitors from Meire Grove 4-0. The win was payback from last year, when the Grovers upended the Chargers in the elimination game of the SCL-North playoff bracket. The home team went back to its classic bread-and-butter winning formula: Strong pitching, solid defense, and timely hitting.
Shawn Schoenberg started on the mound for the Chargers, tossing eight innings for the victory. Aaron Welle came on in a non-save situation to retire the Grovers in the ninth and send the Chargers to the opening round victory. Shawn walked just one and added five strikeouts. Yet his biggest asset of the game was electrifying defense, led by right fielder Dave Stalboerger. Dave brings the most postseason experience to the team, playing in his 62nd career playoff game (Am I bored at work today? Yes). Meire Grove look poised to take the lead on a Jaron Klaphake looping base hit, but Stalbs gunned down Shawn Meyer at the plate to keep the score tied at zero. He also threw out two Grovers at first base on line drives to right, shutting out any potential Meire Grove rally. Later in the game, Dave made a leaping grab to rob the Grovers of a run and Jaron Klaphake of an extra-base hit. And maybe most important of all, he's the only one on the team smart enough to bring a can koozie after the game to keep ice cold beer that much colder. Nice work Stalbs.
The offense wasn't phenomenal by any means, but it was efficient enough to produce the victory. Clutch hits by Nathan Terres and Corey Schoenberg put the Chargers in position to win. Corey and Nate both finished 2-4 with two RBI. But most importantly, the home team finally got to Grover starter Matt Imdieke. The Chargers had failed to score a run in the last two games against Matt, and had notoriously struggled against Meire Grove's ace. But a few big hits erased all that as the Chargers move on.
Up next? Yep. Thought so. The Chargers make a run out to Hwy 71 for a battle with arch rival Elrosa. Big Game you ask? Let's see: Heated rivalry. Winner goes to regions. Big crowd. Battle for the Keg...Yeah I'd say that qualifies - Witness it live at 1:30 Sunday or catch it on Pay per view. Leave the children at home, this is one's gonna be a war.
(AP Sartell)