Faribault Lakers Baseball: Hastings walks off Lakers 6-5

In a game with several twist and turns, it was a throwing error on a bunt attempt in the last of the ninth that walked off the Lakers on Thursday night in Hastings.

 The Hawks got on the board first in the second inning as Johnny Tegland walked with one out and scored on the front end of a two run home run by Cooper DeSutter.

In the Lakers fifth, they got on the board without a benefit of a hit. Two Lakers batters reached on walks. Tucker Alstead grounded to shortstop, but a throwing error on the relay to first allowed a run to score. Zander Fitzsimmons followed with the first Lakers hit of the night but Alstead was thrown out trying to reach third base. 

Hastings regained their two run lead in the last of the fifth on a Jack Seleski RBI single. Griffin Teodoro grounded into a double play to short circuit the rally. The Press Box chose to play Three Blind Mice. I don't care what level of baseball you're at, you don't play that song to show up the umpires. Just call it one of those unwritten rules.

The Lakers bounced back however. After three walks loaded the bases, Drew Conrad singled to right field to tie the game. After the play, Pitcher Ben Teigland was tossed from the game for arguing balls and strikes. Subsequently Hastings and Faribault fans were engaged in a war of words in the stands. Just a game, right?

The Press Box redeemed themselves a bit after the ejection playing the What's Happening theme. Nothing like imagining Roger, Dwayne and Rerun bouncing a basketball down the road in the middle of a baseball game. 

The Hawks got the lead back as Seleski dropped a single in right with two men on base to score a run. The Lakers avoided further damage as Teodoro lined into a double play to end the inning.

The Lakers struck again in the eighth. After loading the bases with three consecutive singles, Jack Jandro grounded into a fielder's choice to tie the game. Then on a strange play, a wild pitch bounced back to the catcher. Austin Rendler running at third returned to third, but Drew Conrad was caught between second and third. A wild throw to second allowed Conrad to get back to base and scored Rendler to give the Lakers a 5-4 lead. 

As per the theme of the game, the Hawks struck right back. A two out single by Max Crebs scored the tying run. 

Due to the late finish and travel, no Deliverymen of the game.

With the loss, Faribault will face the loser of Elko vs. New Market on Sunday at 2pm