2025 Cottage Grove Coyotes Win Sixth Twin City MABL 18+ Title
Twin City MABL, 18+ Division
Coyotes 7, Sea Donkeys 0
The 2025 Cottage Grove Coyotes of the Twin City MABL won their sixth 18+ League Championship in franchise history (5 in the last 9 seasons) by defeating the Minneapolis Sea Donkeys by a final score of 7-0. The Coyotes finished their regular season 15-7 (19-7 overall), third place in the National Division.
The offensive attack was balanced and a force to be reckoned with throughout the entire season. Veterans Charlie Bartholomew (.421 AVG, .452 OBP, team leading 32 Hits and 19 RBI, 1 HR), Hans Heggernes (.495 OBP, 27 Hits, 19 RBI, 19 BB, 16 R), Tony Mueller (.432 OBP, 26 Hits, 20 R, 11 RBI, 11 SB), Spencer Scott (.473 OBP, 25 SB, 20 Hits, 21 R, 18 RBI), Chris Fleming (.390 OBP, 20 Hits, 15 R), Adam Devore (.510 OBP, 11 Hits, 10 BB, 4 HBP), Michael Hietpas (.377 OBP, 13 Hits, 13 R), and Mike Lippert (.353 OBP, 15 Hits, 13 R, 12 RBI) led the way offensively and established the tone for getting guys on base and driving them in.
Rookie catcher, Dylan Giglio broke out in the playoffs for the Yotes, capping off his rookie campaign with an excellent offensive season (.469 OBP, 14 Hits, 13 R, 3 2B, 9 RBI).
The offense was rounded out with solid performances by veterans Adam Olson (.304 OBP, 7 Hits, 8 R), Matt Ruben (9 Hits, 7 R), and Sam Jenson (.429 OBP, 8 Hits, 5 SB). Other notable, yet unforgettable, Coyote and new Dad, David Eddy (.286 OBP, 3 BB, 3 R).
The Coyotes pitching staff, handled by Devore, Giglio, Bartholomew, Lippert, and Jensen, were arguably the best staff in the TCMABL, allowing a league-low 54 runs (41 earned) against in 22 regular-season games and 10 Shutouts (3 in the playoffs).
The ace of the staff and 2025 Playoff MVP, Jason Eddy, (7-3, 6 SHO, 77.2 IP, 1.17 ERA, 1.02 WHIP, 91 K, 1 SV), has been a Yotes staple for years, and 2025 was no different. Jason also led the offense with 10 XBH (9 2B, 1 HR).
The Yotes staff was rounded out by Matt Grill (2-1, 1 SHO, 25.2 IP, 1.64 ERA, 1.05 WHIP, 16 K, 1 SV), who was nearly unhittable in the playoffs, with two wins and a complete game shutout. Alex Kreiling (3-3, 1 SHO, 31.2 IP, 3.54 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, 26 K) was a horse on the mound for the Yotes all season long, followed by spot starters Charlie Bartholomew (4-0, 2 SHO, 23 IP, 0.91 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, 16 K, 1 SV), Austin Jerylo (2-0, 13.2 IP, 2.56 ERA, 1.68 WHIP, 6 K, 1 win, 3 saves), and one unbelievable pitching performance by Spencer Scott (5.2 IP, 0 H, 13 K, 1 win).
After missing a first-round playoff bye, the Yotes turned on the juice and never looked back. First up were the #6 seed Battalion Bats. The Yotes destroyed the Bats with a final score of 22-0, hitting up and down the lineup with 10 separate Coyotes picking up a hit. Dylan Giglio led the charge, going 2 for 3 with a double and five RBI. Jason Eddy picked up the win in a complete-game shutout.
In round two, the Coyotes faced off against the #2 seed, the Minneapolis Legends. Matt Grill picked up the win, tossing a gem going all nine innings in a 3-hit complete game shutout. Charlie Bartholomew led the offense, going 3 for 5. The Coyotes moved on to the next round with a 4-0 win.
The semi-finals featured a matchup with longtime TCMABL rivals, the #1 seed Eden Prairie Cardinals. Matt Grill picked up the win on the mound, going seven innings with seven strikeouts and allowing three earned runs. Jason Eddy led the offense, going 3 for 4 with two doubles, three RBI, and picking up the save in two perfect innings of relief, while adding five strikeouts.
Matt Ruben celebrated his 40th Birthday by delivering a clutch 2-RBI double late in the game to secure the win. The Coyotes advanced to the TCMABL Championship and handed the Cardinals their second loss of the season (both to the Coyotes) with a final score of 13-7.
The championship game featured a rematch of the 2024 season and a chance for revenge against the Minneapolis Sea Donkeys. Starter Andy Gaddis pitched well for the Sea Donkeys, but ultimately the dangerous Yotes bats came to life and chased him out of the game. Hans Heggernes got the scoring started and broke open a 0-0 tie with a clutch 2-out RBI single to score rookie Dylan Giglio. The Yotes added one more run in the sixth and three runs in the eighth before Jason Eddy blasted a 2-Run home run to put the game out of reach.
Eddy was in full control, picking up the win, finishing with a nine-inning complete-game shutout, his second of the playoffs, scattering eight hits and striking out four. Final score Coyotes 7, Sea Donkeys 0.
In four playoff games, the Yotes offense pounded out 46 runs, 53 hits, 9 2B, 39 RBI, 9 SB, and one Jason Eddy long-ball to put a cherry on top of the Championship game.
Matt Grill (2 W, 16 IP, SHO, 10 K, 2 BB, 1.31 ERA, .94 WHIP), Jason Eddy (2 W, 16 IP, 2 SHO, 11 K, 4 BB, 0.00 ERA, 1.06 WHIP), and the Coyotes Defense held playoff opponents to seven runs, three earned, and shutouts in four games.