Crimson Notches First Victory

Congratulations to the Crimson team for picking up the first of many wins this season.

A few thoughts:

• St. Johns is a very solid team. Last year, they were the 3 seed in the Stanford Regional. They beat Florida International University earlier this season, a team previous Crimson players will remember as a very good team. And FIU is doing it again this year.
  

• After throwing five pitchers the previous day, Coach Walsh was able to get solid production from 3 pitchers today. Shawn Haviland had a great first appearance, lasting into the 6^th. And just as importantly, Mike Morgalis and Taylor Meehan combined to pitch 2 and 2/3 innings of relief without yielding a single hit.

• Looked like things got very interesting in the top of the 9^th. With the Crimson leading 3-2 and one out, Meehan hit a St. Johns batter. After getting the second out, Meehan walked the next two guys, but got St. Johns' three-hole hitter to ground out to first with the bases loaded to end the game.

• The heart of the Crimson lineup got a taste of the big leagues today. The 2-3-4 hitters – Lance Salsgiver, Zak Farkes, and Steffan Wilson – all got a chance to face St. Johns' premier closer, Craig Hansen, and each faced the same fate, striking out swinging. Hansen pitched last summer in the Cape Cod League for the Harwich Mariners, finishing second in the league in saves. He was also named to the All-Cape team. Baseball America has listed him as the number 3 prospect in the upcoming Major League Baseball draft. Hansen’s Cape numbers were ridiculous: 22.1 innings pitched, three unearned runs, nine hits, two walks, and 41 Ks.

The win puts the Crimson in position to leave Minnesota with a winning record to start the season. The team will face Minnesota tomorrow at 3 pm. Diehard Crimson fans can listen to the game live online – click here