The Kingston Kings had a 1-0 lead in the top of the first however the Maple Plain Diamond Devils would take the lead in the bottom of the inning and never look back.

 The Kings had runners on corners with two outs in the top of the first when Kingston’s Abe West belted a double down the left field line allowing the runner on third to walk across home. Meanwhile, the runner on first got the go ahead to score from the third base coach as the ball was coming in late from the left fielder. It was a risky decision as the Devil’s Craig Hawkinson was about a third of the way down the line waiting to get the throw from the left fielder. By the time Craig had caught the ball, the runner was half way home. Craig turned and fired the ball on the outside part the line giving Brad Mazer plenty of time catch the ball and put on the tag as the runner tried to go to the inside.

That would turn out to be the last lead of the game for the Kings as the Devils came back and scored three runs in the bottom half of the inning. With one out John Hilbelink walked. Adam Gregg scorched the first pitch that he saw for a base hit to left putting runners at second and first. Andrew Engebretson walked to load the base. Brad Mazer singled to left to tie the game. Kingston’s shortstop committed a throwing error on a groundball in Lee Gregg’s at bat keeping the bases loaded while allowing a run to score. KC Johnson earned the last RBI of the inning when he walked in his time at the plate.

The Devils expanded the lead in the third inning scoring four more times. Andrew Engebretson started off the inning and then took second on an errant pickoff throw at first. After a fly out to left, Lee Gregg’s single put runners at the corners. Lee then stole second by making a move to the inside of the diamond and going outside to get around the second baseman. KC Johnson singled to right scoring the first run of the inning. Ryan Dwyer’s run scoring base hit to left got away from the fielder allowing KC and Ryan to move up 90 feet. Craig Hawkinson followed with a double to center field that scored both runners to close out the inning.  

Kingston scored their final two runs of the game on two doubles , a sac bunt and a Devil’s fielding error.

The Devils would get three runs back in the bottom of the seventh. Lee Gregg led off the inning with a home run into the trees in left field. KC Johnson followed with a double down the left field line. Ryan Dwyer scored KC with a double of his own.

The Devils tacked on three more runs in the bottom of the ninth. John Hilbelink singled past the second baseman for his first hit of the year. On the next pitch, Adam Gregg ripped a home run that went through the trees in left and ended up in the school parking lot next door. Andrew Engebretson singled and ended up on third via two wild pitches before Kyle Tengsdal scored him with a base hit to left.   

The only Gregg not to hit a home run Sunday was Adelyn Olivia Gregg born on Thursday May 7th, weighing in at 8 lbs 1oz. Congratulations Amber and Adam Gregg.

Paul Kunz picked up his second win of the season going six innings giving up three runs, one earned before giving way to TJ Aalid and Jake Smith who shut down the Kings for the remainder of the game.