Faribault Lakers End Feilitz Day Game Early

The Faribault Lakers cashed in on three multiple run innings to run away from the Shakopee Coyotes today 15-5 in 7 innings at Bell Field.

Before the game longtime Faribault High School and Lakers coach Bob Fielitz was inducted into the Faribault Baseball Hall of Fame. The sixth person to be enshrined with a ball that will grace the left field fence.

Coach Fielitz told KDHL following the game he was humbled by the honor saying, "There's a few things I love in my life, my family, my friends, God and baseball. This is just so special because what makes baseball, the game wonderful. To me is the players. The relationships. It just doesn't get any better than that."

I asked about the possibility of his ball being placed next to former longtime Faribault High School Head Coach Rick Rost. They coached together for over two decades.

"It belongs there." Fielitz said, "It's special for me."

People came from across the country to join him on his special day. A daughter flew in from Seattle. He said he was totally surprised. "I had no idea what was going on. Look over there. That's my high school softball team that went to state. They're all about 50 years old."

A Marine buddy from Topeka, Kansas. Two high school friends from Chicago came and Joe Chlapaty who donated money for the Fielitz Fitness Center at Faribault High School were in attendance.

Fielitz said Chlapaty has also donated $75,000 to construct a new concession stand at Bell Field. "He flew in from Dublin, Ohio just for this day. Pretty special buddy. We're hoping they call that concession stand short to first because I played short and he was the first baseman."

Some former Lakers players also came back to attend the game.

The Lakers jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning. Shakopee tied the game in the top of the third inning. Faribault scratched out a run in the 4th inning. The Coyotes matched it in the 5th inning to make the score 5-5.

In the bottom of the 6th three different Shakopee pitchers would throw to 13 Lakers batters in a 7 run outburst for a commanding 12-5 lead.

Faribault ended the game in the 7th with the 3 runs needed to end the contest by the 10 run rule 15-5.

The Lakers had 16 hits. The Coyotes 11 in the game. Shakopee had 3 errors and Faribault none in the contest.

Tyler Francis started the game and pitched the first three innings. Allowing 7 hits, 4 runs with 2 strikeouts and 1 walk. Zack VanThomme notched the win while throwing 4 innings of 4 hit, 1 run ball. He walked 1 and struck out 3 Shakopee batters.

Francis threw 43 pitches, 21 strikes, VanThomme 53 pitches, 32 strikes.

Five Lakers turned in multi-hit performances at the plate. Blake Langerud did what a leadoff batter should do. Get on base. Langerud had a pair of hits with an RBI and 3 runs scored. Danny Pierce stroked a pair of hits and collected an RBI. Joey Grote cranked a double, had two hits, 2 RBI.

Dylan Valentyn had a pair of hits, an RBI, and scored a couple runs. Jack Jandro tallied 4 hits, 2 RBI, scored 2 runs and stole a base. Grote also stole a base.

Matt Lane hammered a two run double and added another RBI when he was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded.

Nick Rost, Ryan Archambault, Aiden Tobin each had hits and an RBI.

Jeff Hohenstein took the loss for Shakopee while going 5 innings. He allowed 7 hits, 7 earned runs, walked 5 and struck out 2. Bennett Thurow lasted a third of an inning with 4 hits, 4 earned runs and 1 walk. Andy Lazzari threw an inning of relief with 2 hits, 3 runs, 1 earned.

Mason Bode banged out two doubles. Logan Becker had 3 hits, Lazzari a pair of hits, Jack Jones two hits for the Coyotes.

Faribault now 12-7 will host Montgomery Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. before a week off for the 4th of July holiday.

This is awesome.

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