Indians split MVL doubleheader, end regular season with win

Game 1: Minnesota Valley Lutheran 5, Sleepy Eye Public 4; Game 2: Sleepy Eye Public 10, MVL 0

The Chargers hosted the Sleepy Eye Public baseball team for a doubleheader on May 16.

The Indians broke down in the seventh inning and gave MVL a conference victory.

“Mental mistakes along with physical errors hindered us from closing out a good game,” Sleepy Eye coach Aaron Nesvold said. “We left seven runners on base in scoring position. One timely hit could have been a game changer.”

Stats

Pitching: Matt Schroepfer 3 K, 4 BB, 6 H, 2 R, 1 ER.

Other: Schroepfer 2-4, 1 2B, 1 RBI, 1 SB;

Matt Berkner 2-4, 1 2B, 2 R.

The Indians got revenge in the second game and won 10-0 after five innings. Sophomore Matt Berkner went 2-4 at bat, hit two doubles, had two RBI and scored two runs to lead Sleepy Eye Pubic.

Stats

Pitching: Dylan Klein 2 K, 2 BB, 8 H, 0 R, 0 ER.

Other: Matt Berkner 2-4, 2 2B, 2 RBI, 2 R;

Matt Schroepfer 2-3, 1 R, 3 RBI, 1 SB.

Records: Sleepy Eye Public 6-8, 2-5 conference.

May 21: Sleepy Eye Public 5, Mankato Loyola 4

The Indians hosted the Crusaders on May 21 for their last regular season baseball game. Sleepy Eye got off to a good start in the second inning with a hit by freshman Dylan Klein, which was followed by a triple by senior John Mangen to score three more runs.

“It felt pretty good off the bat, I thought it might be gone,” Mangen said.

Loyola made a slow comeback in the middle of the game but a late push by the Indians broke the 4-4 tie in the eighth inning.

Sleepy Eye Public will play BOLD on Saturday in the first round of the Section 2A playoffs. Nesvold said it was nice to get a win before the playoff games begin.

“We got a little momentum going into playoffs,” Nesvold said. “If we play like we did tonight and we play like we’re capable of, it should be a ball game.”