Eden Valley-Watkins second baseman Derek Streit embodied the Eagles' highs and woes in Wednesday's Class 1A baseball title game at Target Field.
Streit drew both a fielding and throwing error on the same first-inning play, costing the defending champion Eagles two unearned runs. Redemption came on a two-RBI single in the six-run third inning that scored the Eagles' eighth and final run in an 8-4 victory against Lake Crystal-Wellcome Memorial.
"Just being on the field, I was excited the whole game -- too excited, I think, at some points," said Streit, who did not see action in last season's title game. "As soon as I got that hit I knew I was just fine and I knew the game was over."
Not all of Streit's teammates shared his confidence, especially considering the way starting pitcher Matt Geislinger labored.
Geislinger, who allowed one hit, no walks and no runs in nine innings of work in two tournament games last week, gave up five hits and issued eight walks Wednesday. He started the seventh and final inning having thrown over 100 pitches, leading to talk on the bench about whether he should finish the game.
"I went out and talked to Matt and he told me there was absolutely no way he wanted to come out of this game," Eagles coach Mike Tomsche said.
After snaring a comeback hit, Geislinger threw to second and initiated a game-ending double play. He finished with 136 pitches to cap a two-season pitching record of 25-0. The Eagles went 50-2 over the same span.
"It was a tough-fought game for both teams, same as last year," Geislinger said. Last season, Geislinger earned the win in relief as Eden Valley-Watkins erased a 4-1 deficit and won its first title.
