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The Pirate guys flirted with disaster all game and it finally wound up catching up to them in the seventh inning.

The Pirates fell 5-1 to the Elk Mound Mounders in the sectional semi-final game, giving up four runs in the top of the seventh to end Grantsburg’s remarkable season.

The game was close until then. Both teams scored one run in the sixth inning, then that fateful seventh inning for the Pirates. The leadoff hitter was hit, there were two or three walks and a couple hits in there that combined for four runs in the final frame.

The Mounders (what kind of mascot is that, anyway? Is it some sort of politically correct compromise? If I were a mound I’d be pretty offended) pitched extremely well giving up only four hits and striking out five. Their pitcher was in control most of the game.

The Pirates had won eleven in a row and they had a chance to win the game. They dodged early bullets by throwing two runners out at home… in the first inning! The first was Nolan Hanson to Ben Larson with Larson tagging out the advancing runner. The second came with the bases loaded and the batter bounced it to pitcher Thane Larson who threw it home for the force then Larson gunned it to first baseman Jake Ryan for a rare 1-2-3 double play.

Though the season didn’t end the way the Pirates and their fans would’ve liked to have seen, the team represented their home town well and they deserve our congratulations. They played ball like it should be and they were rewarded with a great season and a trip to Sectionals. Only sixteen teams get to do that every year.

Congrats, Pirates!

Really cool photo courtesy of Marianne Shira

Congratulations to the Grantsburg Pirates. They won tonight 9-2 against the second seed Clayton/Turtle Lake team.

The Pirates advance to the Sectionals which will be held in Osseo-Fairchild next Tuesday. Their first game starts at 11am and should they win that one they will play at 5pm that evening. Their first game is against the Elk Mound Mounders (17-4 first place in the Dunn-St. Croix Conference). Bracket

The Grantsburg pitching was outstanding tonight as Jimmy Nelson and Nolan Hanson combined for eight strike outs in seven innings. The third inning was the only inning the Clayton/Turtle Lake squad got anything going and it was on the strength of a bloop hit to left and a high chopper in front of home plate. Both of those players came around to score that inning and that was it for them for the game.

I really appreciate the fans at the ballpark. They are very passionate about their home team and are per capita the loudest fans I think Grantsburg has.

Grantsburg is on a roll right now winning their eleventh game in a row (looks like I had a bad source in the previous post).

Congratulations and good luck!

Photo Courtesy of Deb Allaman-Johnson