Eagles state tournament run ends with loss to Waconia

The Morris Eagles lost to Waconia 21-3 in the 2012 State Amateur Baseball Tournament at St Cloud's Faber Field Saturday.

Anything and everything went wrong for Morris as the wheels fell off in the sixth and seventh innings. Waconia finished second in the 2011 State Tournament.

Trailing 7-0 going into the bottom of the fourth, the Eagles tried to make a game of it. Ryan Beyer blasted a triple over the right fielder's head with one out. Eric Asche singled him home and Craig Knochenmus followed with another single to put two on with one out. A fielder's choice was followed by a gapper to left center for Brett Anderson that rolled all the way to the wall in the spacious ballpark. Two runs scored on the triple to make the score a respectable 7-3 after four innings.

However, Waconia stormed right back with four of their own and the rout was on. Six more scored in the sixth and four more in the seventh as the game ended via the 10-run rule.

Draftee Colton Vien took the loss on the mound, going the first three and 1/3 innings.

Despite the disappointing loss, the Eagles finish a strong 2012 season at 20 wins and nine losses.

"Thanks to all the players, fans, wives, children, parents and girlfriends on a fun season and successful run to the State Tournament," said team captain Matt Carrington. "The bitter loss leaves a sour taste, but hopefully will lead to another strong season next year and more state appearances in the near future."

Waconia 21

Morris 3

Waconia 114 146 4 -- 21 19 1

Morris 000 300 0 -- 3 8 4

HITTING - Dusty Sauter 1-for-4; Kirby Marquart 2-for-4; Ryan Beyer 1-for-4, 1 run; Eric Asche 1-for-3, 1 run, 1 rbi; Craig Knochenmus 1-for-2; Matt Carrington 1 run; Brett Anderson 1-for-3, 2 rbi; Jamie Van Kempen 1-for-3

PITCHING (ip-h-r-er-bb-so) -- Colton Vien (L) 3.1-6-7-5-3-4; Alex Erickson 1.2-4-4-4-1-1; Nathan Gades .1-5-5-4-0-0; Matthew Carrington .2-1-1-0-0-1; Sam Mattson .1-3-4-3-2-1; Kirby Marquart .2-0-0-0-0-0