By Nick Gerhardt
How about this?! Bonus predictions from our pollsters! Obviously we saw some exciting games from the first weekend with a number of late rallies to get our pollsters fired up enough to put together predictions for the second weekend.
We’ve got a state championship matchup with the 2022 Class B state champion Rochester Royals taking on the 2023 Class B state champion Air Freight Unlimited. We thought we might have seen this matchup last year but we’ll get it this year with a stronger Royals squad taking on a more pedestrian-looking Air Freight team, with pedestrian serving as a relative term for a squad that rarely gives up any runs.
We’ll let our experts take it away with their insights into the second weekend matchups.
Matt Marek — Champlin Park LoGators
After a great first weekend, things will be sure to ramp up on weekend two of the Class B State Tournament. Much like last year, seven traditional Class B teams advanced to nine traditional A teams. Of the final 16 teams in 2023, only six (Minneapolis Cobras, Miesville, St. Louis Park, Hopkins, Air Freight and Minnetonka) return to the final 16 in 2024, which speaks to the depth and quality of the new Class B. As always, there are some really intriguing matchups to look at and predict!
Saturday
Champlin Park LoGators vs. Minneapolis Cobras (11 a.m.)
I’m smart enough not to put any bulletin board material out there :). The Gators and Snakes have played each of the last three seasons, with the Cobras winning the last two matchups. It’s going to be a good game and I’ll leave it at that!
Prediction: Abstaining
St. Louis Park vs. St. Anthony (1:30 p.m.)
In this format, momentum can play a huge factor in how things transpire. Take for example Shakopee last year, overcoming a 5-0 deficit in its first round game and riding the wave to the title game. Insert, the Hogs. Trailing Chaska (who was in control for most of the game) 6-3 in the ninth, the Hogs rattled off eight runs to advance. On the other hand, St. Louis Park cruised to a run-rule victory over Dundas — and appeared to be healthy and primed for a run. I’m tempted to pick the Hogs in an upset, but I think Park’s offense will be too much.
Prediction: St. Louis Park
Hopkins Berries vs. Victoria Vics (11 a.m.)
Speaking of riding the momentum wave, Victoria used a seven-run ninth inning to demoralize North St. Paul in the first round. We all know about Hopkins roster, as they cruised to a first-round win over Sobieski. I think Hopkins keeps it rolling for one more week. Similar to Park, I think their lineup will be too much for Garrison and company.
Prediction: Hopkins
St. Paul Mudhens vs. Miesville Mudhens (1:30 p.m.)
Pretty simple case of the college bug getting the best of the St. Paul version of the Mudhens in my opinion. Looks like they will be losing the whole right side of their starting lineup from weekend one, among others. Drkula has been really good for St. Paul all year, but I don’t see how he slows down the Miesville lineup. They could choose to start Frank Voelkers, an Eastern Michigan grad, but after seeing them eschew Missouri-commit Josh Kirchoff for Drkula last year, I don’t think they make that move. Miesville cruised in the first round, and I don’t expect the freight train to stop just yet.
Prediction: Miesville (comfortably)
Rochester Royals vs. Air Freight Unlimited (11 a.m.)
It’s my first “Game of the Tournament” hyperbole, and I think it’s more than warranted for this matchup, as Laubscher vs. Pilla will be fantastic. Looking at Air Freight’s games over the last couple of years, they really haven’t blown the doors off anybody, especially with more favorable pitching matchups for their offense. Rochester seems locked and loaded after missing out last year, and after Centennial proved Laubscher to be not TOTALLY invincible last weekend, I think the Royals lineup is a different animal all to its own. Expect a 3-2, 2-1 type of game here, with the Royals squeaking one out.
Prediction: Rochester
Minnetonka Monarchs vs. Eagan Bandits (1:30 p.m.)
I don’t know how much disdain for Minnetonka (real or fake?) still resides in the hearts of Eagan, but I kinda wish Hoy was still around for this matchup. Either way, this one has sneaky “Game of the Tournament” potential as well, with Marcus Kruzan going for Eagan. Will be interesting to see if the Monarchs come back with Marsh again, as Wyatt Nelson hasn’t pitched since July 15. The momentum card is in play for Eagan, coming off a ninth-inning comeback off Ryan Duffy last week, but I will lean on tourney pedigree in this one. Don’t be surprised if the Banditos sneak one out, however.
Prediction: Minnetonka
Highland Park Beavers vs. Macs Industrial Warriors (11 a.m.)
A couple of teams that utilized some sloppy defense and pitching to advance out of last week’s first round. I have a lot more faith in the Pub, after seeing Maurer only come out of his outing with 1 K. Too much Pub for the Beavers this week.
Prediction: Lyon’s Pub
Moorhead Mudcats vs. Burnsville Bobcats (1:30 p.m.)
Moorhead couldn’t put a baserunner on against Baseball 365 until the fifth inning and still found a way to win. Burnsville had a little more trouble with Stillwater than I thought, but I think that might be the wake-up call they need. Hartley wasn’t very sharp, but Andrew Hanson carried the load offensively, and Kody Dalen shut the door out of the pen (a pretty scary 1-2 if Hartley is right, if you ask me). I can’t see Moorhead scoring enough, or holding down the Bobcats enough to score another upset.
Prediction: Burnsville
Nate Jackson — Lyon’s Pub Warriors
Exciting first round of the Class B tourney. New Market, Stillwater, Eagan and Hopkins were tough No. 4 seeds. The Parks (SLP/Champlin), Rochester and Miesville dominated. Ninth and 10th inning magic from Eagan, St. Anthony, Victoria and the Cobras. Moorhead Mudcats are the only team remaining from Section 2. Multiple games were decided in the last three to four innings with many upsets. My guess is, it will not be any different this weekend.
Champlin Park LoGators vs Minneapolis Cobras: Cobras — I feel like I have to pick the Snakes. The Gators are a good team but I’m going with my fellow P-Nash dirtbags to pull this one out in the end. Expect a back and forth game, which could end up being the Gators walking away with the W.
St. Louis Park Pirates vs. St Anthony Hogs: Pirates — Hogs sneaked into the second round with a win over an exciting Chaska team. I know the Hogs can run a marathon when it comes to state. They will need to do that in order to beat Park. Park looks REALLY good right now. I think the only way to beat Park is a shutdown starter, which they’ve only seen on a few occasions.
Upset Alert! Hopkins Berries vs. Victoria Vics: Berries — Hopkins is the most unpredictable team in townball history. They’ll get blown out, show up with eight players to start the game and win, or make the state tourney and then completely disappear; literally. Victoria has played well all season with consistency. Pitching and defense with the bats to support. Shepard throwing makes a strong case for Hopkins to move on. It really comes down to who’s going to show up for the Berries but I see them sneaking out a close game.
St. Paul Mudhens vs. Miesville Mudhens: Miesville – Rematch from the 1st round of the 2023 state tourney. I expect a similar game with Miesville pulling away towards the end. Will we see a Johnnie vs. Johnnie matchup? Which Hen will have the better at-bats? Would this be an upset if St. Paul wins? Too many questions.
Game of the Weekend: Rochester Royals vs. Air Freight Unlimited: Royals — Pilla vs. Laubscher. A heavyweight title match in the second round. Rosters are similar. Looking forward to seeing how this one plays out. See you in Belle Plaine!
Sleeper … Eagan Bandits vs. Minnetonka Monarchs: Monarchs — Tough to go against the 0x champs but they still have a roster that can get them deep into the tourney. I believe Wyatt Nelson will not be around, which only helps the Bandits. They have solid pitching and with their bats, it is certainly a tough draw. BUT, don’t sleep on the Bandits. They’ve battled through their section and are the reason Shakopee is not present, who was the runner-up last year. Marcus Kruzan will need to be cruisin’ to help the Bandits sleep walk the Mill … Monarchs.
Lyon’s Pub Warriors vs. Highland Park Beavers: Warriors — The Pub will try to ride the momentum from beating a tough New Market team to open the tourney in Jordan. The Warriors see a familiar foe in the Beavers. Pitching and defense are on par with each other but I think the Pub has the edge when it comes to hitting. Look for a great game because the Warriors have a knack for keeping things exciting regardless of the result.
Favorite: Burnsville Bobcats vs. Moorhead Mudcats: Bobcats — The land Kitties match up well against the water Kitties. Burnsville will bring more depth than the Mudcats so the Mudcats will need to fire on all cylinders. The Mudcats are going to get another dose of Johnnie pitching from Hartley and Dalen. Syverson will need another gem like he had against 365 because the Bobcats take quality ABs. Mudcats can’t wait until the end to steal the game.
Jon Sands — Victoria Vics
I think the main thing we learned was that no lead is safe in the state tournament. Another thing we learned is you can ride a hot arm.
My second week prediction is to expect more upsets. A couple of games that could play this role are St. Anthony to beat St. Louis Park and St.Paul over Miesville in the battle of the Mudhens. It will take a perfect game from St. Paul to pull it off.
Some Eye-Popping Matchups
Victoria Vics vs. Hopkins Berries
Moorhead Mudcats vs. Burnsville Bobcats
Highland Park Beavers vs. Lyon’s Pub Warriors
My predictions though are that the favorites will win, those being Burnsville, Miesville, Lyon’s Pub, Champlin Park, Air Freight and Minnetonka.
For the upsets to happen Moorhead needs to keep the Bobcats off the bases. The Bobcats have a loaded lineup. Highland Park needs to keep Lyon’s Pub off the board in big numbers.
For Eagan, it’s a simple approach, pitch great and slow the bats of Minnetonka down. That’s easier said than done.
For Rochester, it’s get Graham out of the game early, make them use the bullpen. For St. Paul, play a perfect game in all aspects of the game. St. Anthony play like you did against Chaska late in the game and you can beat anyone. Minneapolis Cobras — Pitching, pitching, pitching is going to be key for the Snakes to bite the LoGators.
Tom Kolar — Air Freight Unlimited
Week 1 Recap:
A couple of themes seemed to arrive over the weekend. First, we saw our fair share of blowouts in round one, with five games being decided by the 10-run rule. We also saw our fair share of comebacks, including St Anthony’s eight-run ninth inning to stun a solid Chaska team, Victoria putting up seven in the ninth to beat North St. Paul, Moorhead scored two in the ninth to beat Baseball 365, the Cobras had Ray Ronstein do his best Matt Stairs impression coming off the bench to tie the game in the eighth and win it for the Cobras in the 10th against a Elko, and Eagan provided us with the biggest upset of the first round by coming back to beat Stockmen’s.
Other than that, all of the favorites seemed to hold serve, with nin of the top 10 teams from the final rankings advancing to the second round.This weekend seems to be shaping up to be a good one with lots of good matchups so let’s dive in.
Champlin Park LoGators vs. Minneapolis Cobras
Preview: Champlin’s bats are legit, putting up 12 runs on the St Paul Hops in the first round. Charlie Hutchison went the distance and I would assume he gets the start this weekend but he is facing what I think will be a tougher test in the Cobras’ lineup. Although they lost some guys, they seemed to reload and beat a good Elko team in the first round. The pitching is a question, as I am not sure who will be getting the start for them. I think this one will be a high-scoring game, but I think Champlin advances 9-6.
St. Louis Park Pirates vs. St. Anthony Hogs
Preview: These teams had two completely different first-round games. St. Louis Park put up 15 against Dundas in eight innings. St Anthony, as mentioned before, put up eight in the ninth.
St. Louis Park has the bats, it has great pitching and it has the experience. All signs point to them winning this one, but I am going to go with the Hogs here winning 3-1 behind a gem by Bennet Wiggins.
Hopkins Berries vs. Victoria Vics
Preview: Victoria avoided an upset by a sneaky NSP team, but they certainly were on the ropes as the No. 3 team in the final ranking this year. Was it a case of first-game jitters? On the other hand, Hopkins is the biggest wild card team in this tournament. It is now two years in a row now that they have come in as a No. 4 seed and upset a No. 1. The biggest question for them is if they show up, on paper they are up there for the best team in this tournament. I am banking on them showing up and they handle Victoria 7-2.
St. Paul Mudhens vs. Miesville Mudhens
Preview: A battle of the Mudhens for a second year in a row! Both teams breezed through the first round with not much of a fight put up by St Michael or the Mudcats. In the end, I think we see a similar game to last year with Meisville winning 5-1.
Rochester Royals vs. Air Freight Unlimited
Preview: Rochester took care of business with the Minneapolis Angels in the first round after falling behind 1-0 in the first. After that it was all Rochster scoring the next 11 runs to end it in the eighth. Rochester looks legit Nos. 1-9 with an ace on the mound. That is the extent of my preview as I am not in the business of giving out any bulletin board material.
Minnetonka Monarchs vs. Eagan Bandits
Preview: New name, but pretty much the same lineup. Tonka handled Cold Spring in what I thought might be the game of round one. Eagan has come on hot and got hits when it needed to versus Stockmen’s. Unfortunately, I think this is the end of the road for them and Tonka advances 9-1.
Highland vs. Lyon’s Pub
Preview: Lyon’s Pub got the monkey off its back and beat a great New Market team Friday night. Highland took down Andover in the final game on Sunday behind good pitching, defense and timely hits. Mitch Mo certainly can shut a lineup down but I think this Pub lineup is too deep and it advances in a 5-1 win.
Moorhead Mudcats vs. Burnsville Bobcats
Preview: I don’t know a ton about Moorhead and didn’t catch its game Saturday, but it seems to be a ton of Concordia Moorhead guys. Burnsville has been lighting it up this year and beat a good Stillwater team 7-4. I think Burnsville advances in this one as its lineup is too talented and I don’t think Moorhead’s pitching can shut them down. 4-0 Burnsville.
Jordan Wiggins — St. Anthony Hogs
Quad I
Reactions: This quadrant seems to be the “David and Goliath” quadrant. Champlin Park and St. Louis Park both ran away in 10-run rule shortened games while St. Anthony and Minneapolis Cobras needed come-from-behind efforts, in late innings, to secure their wins. Pretty cut and dry to say that Champlin and St. Louis Park will be the odds-on favorites but if St. Anthony and the Cobras can keep things close, it’ll be interesting to see how things shake out.
Predictions: The easy answer here will be to say that Champlin and St. Louis Park will keep things rolling in the second weekend, but both teams should be forced to prove their ability in tighter games. The Cobras battled out the LoGators in a June matchup, losing 6-4, and I think they will keep this one close and force Champlin to rely on second and third pitchers, but Champlin’s stacked lineup should come out on top in the end. With this, I picked my own St. Anthony Hogs to upset Chaska round one and it took our last gasp to do so, but we know that Andy Davis can dice up a lineup and that the Pirates can put the ball over the fence. My predictions will be:
Champlin Park 7, Minneapolis Cobras 2
St. Louis Park 6, St. Anthony Hogs 4
Quad II
Reactions: Many teams in the formerly known Class A know that the Hopkins Berries have a talented lineup and a top-end arm that suits well for these “one and done” weekends. With this, I don’t think many people knew what Sobieski had in the tank as the No. 1 seed out of Section 2. An impressive win for the Berries lands themselves a matchup with Victoria, who was super strong in Section 3 all year and had a ninth-inning eruption to beat North St. Paul last weekend. On the bottom half, we get to find out who the King of the Mudhens is between St. Paul and Miesville. St. Paul Mudhens, behind the horses of Brady Drkula and Frank Volker, controlled their game versus St. Michael and cruised to a comfortable victory. Miesville has proven all year that its lineup is as advertised. Top to bottom and even a number on the bench are former top-end college players who can punish you and they have plenty of arms that can beat you in different ways.
Predictions: Hopkins and Victoria will each have an opportunity to prove which team, with new found success in the tournament, will have what it takes to get to the final weekend. St. Paul Mudhens have a chance to show that a young team can compete with the annual powerhouse.
My predictions:
Hopkins 4, Victoria 2
Miesville 8, St. Paul Mudhens 2
Quad III
Reactions: Rochester has been a team that not many metro area teams ever get to see. Based on the monthly rankings, it appears there were some questions about this team throughout the year that they proved to be a mistake in July and August and especially in its first-round matchup with the Minneapolis Angels. A loud 11-1 win behind a gem from Gabe Pilla and a pair of home runs proved that the former champs are here to compete for another championship.
In the bottom half, we finally learned that Graham Laubscher is human, as he allowed two runs against Centennial in Air Freight’s 6-2 victory. I didn’t see much from its game, so I will limit my reaction to that.
Minnetonka showed that its name change hasn’t impacted the old “Miller Way” as it beat Cold Spring 7-3. The Monarchs used a few arms that proved effective and their lineup is still dangerous with the typical faces of Rutledge, Davis and Shallenberger, now paired with Hanson, Voelker, and Schneider. They will face off with Eagan, who had an amazing outing from Marcus Kruzan and stuck around long enough to scratch an improbable two-run ninth inning to upset the Skyline champs, Stockmen’s Irish.
Predictions: My rankings throughout the year have featured Air Freight, though they came into the season cold and finished as the No. 2 seed out of Section 8, and lacked respect for Rochester, who had a strong year and has proven they are a championship level team. I think Rochester is the biggest threat to Air Freight since they faced off with Minnetonka in the first round of the 2021 Class A tournament.
On the bottom half, Minnetonka will try to prove that “old faithful” can outlast a surge of youth from the newcomer Eagan Bandits.
My predictions:
Air Freight Unlimited 4, Rochester Royals 3
Minnetonka Millers 6, Eagan Bandits 2
Quad IV
Reactions: From non-league games and a matchup in the Class A state tournament, I knew Highland Park was a good team. Overshadowed a bit in the St. Paul League by Air Freight and recently the St. Paul Mudhens, these guys are no joke. They took advantage of some Andover mistakes and wild arms to build an early lead and Cory Reiter and the rest of their lineup capped off a 7-2 win over the No. 2 seed out of the Metro Minny. Their matchup will be against Lyon’s Pub, who came out a bit flat and required a four-run inning off of no hits to win its first-round matchup versus New Market.
In the most surprising outcome of the first weekend for me, the Moorhead Mudcats, who have typically watched their brother Brewers participate in the state tournament, battled their way to an impressive 2-1 win over Baseball 365. They will face off with Burnsville, the No. 1 seed out of a strong Section 3. The Bobcats pitched and hit their way to a 7-4 win over Stillwater. Burnsville, led by a mammoth home run from Andrew Hanson, survived an early game surge by the Loggers and St. John’s University’s Kody Dalen steadied the ship on the mound. Burnsville proved that its pre-tournament hype was real and that it’s a contender this year.
Predictions: Highland Park isn’t scared of anyone and it has been tested all year but Lyon’s Pub survived another flat start to a state tournament and survived to fight another day. The unfamiliar Moorhead Mudcats played a clean game, sticking around long enough to upset a good team and the Burnsville Bobcats proved they deserve to be seen as a top five team in Class-B.
My predictions:
Highland Park 4, Lyon’s Pub 3
Burnsville Bobcats 8, Moorhead Mudcats 1
