7-1 week have Bats flying high
River Bats aim to win second-half title
Jake Laxen
Issue date: 7/7/08 Section: Sports
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The good part, though, for St. Cloud is that Friday began the Northwoods League second half, which brings a last chance to make the playoffs and have the River Bats try to defend their Northwoods League title.
"If we show up every day and have the same attitude each night we will be all right," infielder Brian Hernandez said. "I think we have a great chance."
While a rough start distanced St. Cloud from the eventual winner, the Mankato MoonDogs, a strong finish has optimism circulating for the second half.
"We definitely have confidence right now," Bats outfielder Preston Hale said. "We know we can go out there and score runs every inning."
The River Bats finished the first half winning nine of the last 11 games, propelling themselves to a second-place finish and just 1.5 games away from a division title.
They have since started the second half continuing their hot play, starting out 2-0.
It may be a sign that the team is coming together.
"We are definitely clicking now. Our pitchers are coming out and throwing strikes, which helps, and we are playing some good defense behind them," Hernandez said. "The last couple weeks we have been more comfortable and are meshing together."
The finish has St. Cloud primed to make things interesting down the stretch.
"The guys kind of found out what its like to play good baseball," manager Tony Arnerich said. "They found out what it takes, especially mentally to win here."
Arnerich plans to make a few adjustments but feels that overall the team is set up well to compete.
"We will try and nail down our staff a little better and the roles are starting to fill a little better on the club," Arnerich said. "Not a lot needs to be done, we have great depth."
St. Cloud opened the week on Sunday, sweeping the Wisconsin Woodchucks in a doubleheader. The doubleheader was a result of Saturday's game being cancelled due to poor weather.
Canha and Hale each drove in a pair of runs to lead them to an opening 6-3 win.
Jordan Thibodeaux, from Lamar College, earned his first win of the season, scattering four hits over seven and two-thirds innings, while striking out four.
The Bats came back with a strong 4-3 win in the second game, riding the hot bat of Hernandez. The third basemen homered, doubled, drove in two runs and scored twice to lead the offense.
Kurtis Frymier earned the win in relief of starter Cole Cook.
"[Frymier] has been solid all year for us," Arnerich said. "He has a rubber arm and will do anything for us."
Wisconsin went on to lose their South Division lead during the week and finish second to the Madison Mallards.
St. Cloud won big on Monday, defeating the Duluth Huskies 11-1.
Infielder Dererk McCallum led the 14-hit offensive attack, hitting a home run and driving in three runs.
The Bats then fell Tuesday 7-2, snapping their seven-game winning streak.
Starter Andy Suiter had control problems all night, walking four and allowing five earned runs in two and one-thirds innings to pick up the loss.
Strong winds helped the Huskies as well, as they hit three homers over the left field fence.
Hernandez homered himself in the loss
"I got into it well, I didn't know if I needed it but it was a big part of the game tonight," he said.
The River Bats then traveled to Rochester, where they opened with a 9-7 win.
The Bats used their power to pick up the win. McCallum, Steve Cochrane, Dan Betteridge and Kevin Johnson each hit home runs.
St. Cloud then finished the first half with a 1-0 win over the Honkers.
McCallum homered in the fourth for the game's only run.
Suiter responded from Tuesday's rough start to get the win out of relief, striking out four in four innings.
Friday opened the second half as the Bats won on Independence Day, 4-0 over the Eau Claire Express.
Ryan Sheldon got the win, scattering six hits over eight innings while striking out eight.
They won the rematch Saturday as well, 6-4 as Hale drove in a pair of runs.
The Bats now have the start for the second half, that could lead them into the postseason.
"We have to come out and play every day," Hernandez said. "Not only that but play hard every day."
The recent play certainly has to be encouraging.
"We have been playing some good ball and you are as only as good as your last game," Arnerich said. "Hopefully we can carry this on the rest of the summer."
The River Bats will play a two-game series against Battle Creek at home on Monday and Tuesday. Both games will start at 7:05 p.m. On Wednesday they will hit the road for two away series against Duluth and Thunder Bay before the All-Star break.
The Northwoods League All-Star game will take place on Monday, July 14.