2016 Cottage Grove Coyotes Squeak by Rams for 18+ Title in Twin Cities
Twin City MABL 18+ Division (St. Paul/Minneapolis, MN)
Coyotes 5, Rams 4
‘Coyotes Post Impressive 22-3 Season Record’
Submitted by Hans Heggernes, Cottage Grove Coyotes Manager
The 2016 Cottage Grove Coyotes of the Twin City MABL won their second 18+ Division championship by defeating the TC Rams 5-4. First year manager Hans Heggernes inherited a franchise on the rise when long time manager Randy Schmidt moved out of state before the season started. The ‘Yotes made up of a mix of veterans and fresh young talent finished the regular season 19-3, behind a balanced offensive attack, great pitching and stellar defense.
The offensive was led by veterans Adam Medlicott (.600 BA), Matt Ruben (19 RBI), Hans Heggernes (21 runs) and up and coming rookies Jack Nadeau (3 HR), Sam Richter (.511 OBP) and Michael Hietpas (.385 BA).
The Coyotes three-headed-monster on the mound compiled of staff ace Roger Morrison
(11-2, 1.36 ERA), Adam Weber (5-1, 1.91 ERA) and Matt Grill (5-0, SV, 2.65 ERA) managed to allow a league low 52 runs.
The ‘Yotes would take first in their division and earn a first round bye before rolling through the playoffs defeating the defending TCMABL Champion, Tigers 7-1 and rival Sea Donkeys 12-3 to go on to the Sunday ‘Funday‘ Finale.
The Championship game would feature two extremely well matched teams, the top seeds in each division. Rams (16-6) vs. Coyotes (19-3) to break the regular season split and take home the hardware.
The Coyotes offense got on the board first, scoring all five runs in the fourth inning. Scott Seivert would get things started with a single before Nate Bochet and Steve Bahl would load the bases for Joe Paul. JP came through in the clutch, driving in a pair of ‘Yotes. David Eddy would add another RBI, before Medlicott would drive in the final two runs.
The battery of Morrison and Mike Lippert would keep the Rams bats in check, going 7 1/3, giving up one earned run before handing the ball over to Grill in the eighth. Grill would get out of trouble, as he would get the Rams to roll over to shortstop Heggernes for a 6-3 putout to first baseman David Buckner to end the championship season. Long time Coyotes fan and younger brother Andy Buckner led the rest of the Coyotes bench out to the mob on the mound to celebrate the victory.
It was a year to remember, as the TCMABL celebrated their 20th anniversary, and everything seemed to fall into place for the Cottage Grove Coyotes in 2016. The Coyotes deep and balanced team finished the season 22-3, with their second TCMABL Championship and first since 2010.