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CrowRiverReview www . CRVLbaseball . com Page 14
Reliving some of the top moments from the 2023 CRVL season
Just like every year , the 2023 season for the Crow River Valley League was one to remember . From big games during the regular season to amazing performances in the postseason , the 2023 season was once again to remember .
As the 2024 season is about to get underway in the coming months , I take a look back on some of the top moments from the past season .
Tritch and Hedtke toss nohitters
There were not one but two no-hitters during the regular season in the CRVL this past year . First , it was Blake Tritch delivering a stellar performance for the Mayer Blazers . Going up against the Winsted Wildcats , Tritch struck out 17 batters on his way to tossing a no-no in an 11-0 win . It was the first no-hitter for the Blazers since 1967 .
Just 21 days later , Plato ’ s Drew Hedtke answered with a no-hitter of his own . Going up against Cologne , Hedtke struck out nine and walked just two in a 6-0 victory over the Hollanders .
There was nearly a third no-hitter in the CRVL this season . Waconia ’ s Aaron Wukmir had a no-hitter going against Winsted but the Wildcats broke through with a leadoff single in the top of the ninth to break up Wukmir ’ s no-hit bid .
Kip Kovar
SPORTS EDITOR
Plato and Watertown offer up an instant classic
Every now and then you get to cover a game that just has a little more to it . That was the case when Watertown and Plato met in a Region 7C state qualifier / elimination game this past season .
It was one of those games that was talked about all week leading up to it . It was one of those games that fans showed up in groves .
The final attendance was 636 and not one of them was disappointed . In the end , it was the Bluejays who held on in the bottom of the ninth for a 1-0 victory over the Red Devils to secure their spot at the state tournament .
The atmosphere at the game was at an all-time high for a game that wasn ’ t even part of the state tournament . It was a game with so many big moments throughout and one that I am lucky to say I got to cover .
Watertown and Waconia matchups remain must see
There might not be a better matchup in the CRVL than when the Watertown Red Devils and Waconia Lakers meet up . The two certainly didn ’ t disappoint this season as they faced off on the final day of the regular season with the CRVL North title and No . 1 seed in the Region 7C Tournament on the line .
With so much on the line , every inning was a nail-biter between the two . In the end , nine innings wasn ’ t enough . Just when it looked like the Red Devils were on their way to the win , Waconia scored the tying run in the top of the ninth with two outs on an error .
Extra innings were just as dramatic as both teams had their chances . At last in the bottom of the 13th , the Red Devils pushed across the game-winning run to secure the CRVL North title and No . 1 seed in Region 7C . An instant classic .
Tony Wischnack – The ageless wonder
Age is just a number when it comes to New Germany ’ s Tony Wischnack . He proves that time and time again .
In Game 2 of the CRVL League Playoffs , Wischnack shows he still has it as he tossed a complete-game shout against the Mayer Blazers to keep the season alive for Dutchmen . The 50-year-old pitcher bounced back on short rest to pitch again for New Germany in Game 3 . Carver gets hot at the right time There was a point in the season where it looked like things bottomed out for the Carver Black Sox . Carver was buried in the league standings heading into the postseason as they were the No . 10 seed for the playoffs . That didn ’ t matter .
The Black Sox caught fire at the right time sweeping No . 7 St . Boni including a thrilling 5-4 win over the Saints on a Bailey Melz walk-off single in Game 2 . Carver kept things rolling at the Region 7C Tournament by stealing a state tournament bid as the No . 7 seed . The Black Sox outlasted the Mayer Blazers in another thriller to keep their season alive and head to the state tournament .
Young Green Isle team makes big waves
Coming into the season , there were not many people who thought the Green Isle Irish would be a state tournament team . They were though .
After a regular season filled with ups and downs , the Irish secured a spot in the Region 7C Tournament after sweeping Winsted in the league playoffs . That ’ s when they flipped everything upside down . After knocking off Mayer in the first round , the Irish continued to create havoc knocking off top-seeded Watertown to secure their spot at the state tournament . That win and Carver ’ s win over Plato set up the dream matchup of Plato and Watertown in a state qualifier / elimination game .
CRVL / NSL All-Star Game
The idea of an All-Star Game between the CRVL and North Star League has been in the works for a while . It finally became a reality this past season as the Delano A ’ s hosted the best of the CRVL .
As much hype as there was coming into the game , it didn ’ t disappoint . More than 1,000 came out to watch and the players didn ’ t disappoint as the NSL came out on top with a thrilling win in 10 innings .
The two leagues will meet once again this season as the Waconia Lakers will be hosting the game this year . I look forward to being able to cover that one once again as the two of the best leagues in the state meet up once again .
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