Lakeville South defeats Lakeville North in Legion Baseball Matchup

The Lakeville South Cougars beat their cross-town rivals from Lakeville North, 10-4, in legion play Thursday evening at Fredrickson Field in Elko.

It was one of a few days this year when we were reminded it was summer in Minnesota, with a humid, hazy sky and the temperature well into the 90’s.

But the atmosphere wasn’t the only thing showing the heat on Thursday evening. Cougar bats were hot throughout the game, driving in runs when it looked as though the Panthers were going to catch up.

The game started great for the Panthers, though. After a couple hits to start off the first inning, pitcher Travis Evanson smacked a two run shot over the left field fence to give North the early lead, 2-0.  

South would respond, though, when right fielder Matt Heilmann hit a shot off of the right field fence to score a run. He would be thrown out at third on the play.

Then, designated hitter Alex Continenza hit a solo shot over the left field fence to tie the game. Two more runs would score in the inning for South, one after North pitcher Travis Evanson walked in a run and the other after shortstop Luke Sather swung a shot down the third baseline to bring another run across the plate. South was up 4-2 at the end of the first inning.

The second inning started with North’s Tyler Brekke hitting a solo homerun to cut the South lead to one run, 4-3. North would make a pitching change in the bottom of the inning, and it proved successful, keeping the Cougars from responding with runs of their own. South had the lead after two, 4-3.

The Panthers would then tie the game in the third when Evanson hit a sacrifice fly to bring in a run. But the Cougars would respond with a run of their own at the bottom of the third to make it 5-4.

The next couple runs of the game came when South’s center fielder Garrett Delich hit a homerun over the left field fence, and first baseman Jake Miller hit a single to drive in a run. South still had the lead after four innings, 7-4.

The Cougars would then extend their lead in the sixth inning when right fielder Matt Heilmann, third baseman Mitch Janz and catcher Tyler Schumacher all hit singles to drive in runs, making the score 10-4 in favor of South. North didn’t respond, grounding out to end the game.

The Lakeville South Cougars host Prior Lake on July 5 at 6 p.m.

The Lakeville North Panthers go to Burnsville next on July 5. Game starts at 5 p.m.