Win streak ends at three for Rosetown Legion

Rosetown Legion’s three-game winning streak came to a halt on Tuesday with a 13-9 loss to Hamline Purple.

“I just had that funny feeling that we were almost on automatic pilot,” Rosetown coach Jesse Lopez said. “I warned them (the players) about being too casual. When you don't focus the whole seven innings, there's going to be trouble.”

Rosetown made an early come back from a 3-0 hole in the top of the first inning with six runs in the bottom of the first. Then, it tacked on another run in the third to go ahead, 7-3.

Rosetown's lead looked secure as they had come into the game on a three-game win streak. In addition, Rosetown had won seven of their last eight games going into to Tuesday.

“We were somewhat in command,” Lopez said. “Losing the lead was more a combination of things.”

Ryan Busch and Eden Cranston, Rosetown's number three and four hitters in the lineup, contributed to a significant part of Rosetown’s offensive production. Rosetown had nine runs, its second-highest total since its win streak began. The team rolled up 10 runs the day a before against Tri-City in a 10-4 win.

“They've been steady for us,” Lopez said of Busch and Cranston.

Rosetown pitcher Zach Hayes settled down the Purple offense in the second inning, but the Purple rallied to tie the game at 6-6 in the fourth inning. The game continued back-and-forth for a while, but Purple went up 13-8 in the sixth inning. Rosetown could manufacture only one more run in the loss.

“They were swinging the bat well,” Lopez said about Purple. “I think our pitchers made it a little easier for them though. The game got away from us.”

Rosetown returned to action this afternoon with a game at defending 4th District League and tournament champion North Saint Paul. The two played earlier in the season with North Saint Paul taking the win, 8-5, on June 13.