BASEBALL WEEKLY 1.3 - LUCKY CHARMS

It’s the first week or two of the season for the Federal League while other mangers are still trying to figure out how to enter their rosters and post their schedules Ken Fry has his Rosemount Pipers off to a fast 2-0 start after two weeks of play.

The Pipers began their journey with a 10-2 win over the RC Rockets in Minneapolis. Logan Pinckney got the start on the bump going two innings, walking one and striking out three with no damage done. The Pipers didn’t need their ace Cliff Christopherson to start because he was too busy at the plate going 3-4 with two doubles, two runs and an RBI. Ken Fry got the bench excited with his double, Fry ended up scoring twice, stealing a bag and knocking in a run. Pre-Season Poll MVP Favorite Alex Mack scored twice but had a rough night with a turkey, striking out three times. 

Luckily Cliff got a break the week before because he needed to go all seven to take down the much improved and future East rival South Metro Saints. Christopherson threw an efficient 84 pitch one hitter, striking out thirteen and only allowing one walk. Alex Mack rebounded with a 2-3 game but it was Mark Groebner doubling and Ryan Walker knocking him in to win the game 1-0 for the Pipers. 

After the quick 2-0 start Cliff was quick to talk more about his new teammates;

 “Mark Hanson is one of the smartest baseball players I have ever played with. Smooth as can be at second base and a patient hitter. Aaron Kackman is just making the switch back to baseball but has always been an animal on the mound. Look for him to fill that closer roll. Pete Gagne is a lefty pitcher with tons of movement and an attitude to rival Logan. Mike Borens is going to be that guy you forget about until he knocks one off the wall. He is a great addition to the team both offensively and defensively.”

Last years National East Division champs fell short in the Class AAA playoffs but the Rosemount Pipers jumped on the rainbow bridge and plucked some nice local talent to round out the 2025 roster. 

Overall the Pipers are a favorite in the Class AAA and are the favorite to win it all by Fed Up! podcaster Josh Stoll. 

Christopherson is ready for the competition, “I think we are going to see the best of the best thrown at us every game this year. We have already seen some great pitching from the RC Rockets and the Saints. That caliber of pitching week after week is either going to wear us down, or prep us for the post season. I think we have created a healthy buzz around the league in that we are a tough team to play against, but hopefully it’s hard to hate us.  We play a tight game, make fun of ourselves constantly and have a great time. As always, the post game is where the game really starts.”

Not only are they winning in the field, they are changing the game in the parking lots as well, with Mike Fritz and his beer trailer from his brew pub Tap Society, giving the Chaska Voyageurs a run for parking lot kings. Fancy beer trailer or Four Lokos? It’s your choice.

Just like true Pipers they just want to have fun with a crowd of people and take in the overall enjoyment of spirts and life. Look for these Pipers to follow the pot of gold come August, but who will be waiting at the end of the rainbow?

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FEDERAL LEAGUE SCORES AND UPDATES: WEEK 1 & 2

We will continue with the two Piper games but focus on the other side of the ball, the improved RC Rockets brought back hard throwing Zach Riedberger who started and went five for the Rockets, he only gave up four earned, walked five and fanned five. A solid outing for Opening Day jitters against a tough Pipers team. Joe Hahn had two hits, an RBI and two stolen bases for the Rockets. It was a disappointing start for the red rockets but the following weekend all signs were go as the Rockets defeated the Saint Paul Senators 2-0 at the Harmon.

Matt Hassler got the start and threw three innings and Tommy Fisk and Riedberger combined for seven strikeouts in four innings in relief to throw a team total three hit shutout. The Rockets former ace Colin Warren was providing at the plate going 1-3 with a run scored. Andy O’Keefe drove in a run on his lone hit. Brett Springsted also had an RBI on his lone single. The Rockets scattered eleven hits overall in the win. Pete Kostichka had two hits for the Senators in the loss. St Paul fell to 0-2 after also dropping a game to St Croix in River Falls 12-2. 

Dave Harding went 2-4 with two doubles, three runs scored and three driven in for the Silverbacks. Tim Noyes and Jordan Eggenberger also doubled, Eggenberger got the win throwing three innings and Steve Schneider got the two inning start. It was a great start for St Croix who looks to be competitive in the East this season.

Hastings opened up big, blowing its storm winds in the direction of River Falls and passing through with a 11-0 win over St. Croix. The Hurricanes started off early putting up a seven spot to quickly deflate the Silverbacks and Andy Otto cruised through five innings of two hit ball. Hastings has moved to the South and are a favorite to come out of that division especially after another River Falls team in the Groupers shocked the Lakeville Lobos yesterday with 9-1 win. 

Opening week barnburner in the South with a Lonsdale 11-10 win over Milltown in Dundas. New Outlaw Tony Rome started and got roughed up a little giving up five runs in two innings of work. Brandon Amy came in and gave up six runs, but Russ Bauer and Bill Dunker calmed things down for the orange and pitched perfect innings. Joker Mike Maison had a day going 3-4 with three singles and five runs batted in but wish he could forget his day on the mound as he allowed six runs in 2.7 innings. Brian Vosejpka got the start for Lonsdale throwing four and third and getting the win. Nick Davis had three RBIs and Rudy Lopez had four for Milltown.

Scott Angus went all seven to help Vessel welcome back St Patrick to the league with a 5-3 win over the Shamrocks. Vesli dropped a game to New Market 10-0 last week. Derek Bergstrom got the win for the Northerns. Mike Miemczyk went 2-3 with three runs scored. John Grundmeier, Ryan Gonzalez and Shawn Overgaard each had two RBIs to help power the fish. The Northerns also won yesterday with a 11-3 win over the St Paul JTs, Al Weeman got the win. The fish out to prove they can win without metro influences and a nice 2-0 start this season is a refreshing surprise for the South division. 

Last but not least - the Minnoka Grays opened up the season with a 17-0 drubbing over Capital City in five innings. The Wolves had nineteen hits total from top to bottom, including five doubles. Every rostered player reached base. Dustin Rode had three RBIs, Matt Johnson had three runs scored to go with his two hits. Grays pitching held the Cannons to two hits - both from James Zapf - starter Ben Schroeder got the win and struck out six in three innings. Taylor Nelson and Jack Nelson also had clean innings on the bump.

Other reported scores around the league include; Metro over St Anthony 16-6, Elko over Northfield 7-0, Burnsville over Minnetonka Mustangs 5-0, Mustangs over St Michael 9-8. Minnetonka Saints 6-0 over Burnsville. 

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PLAYERS OF THE WEEK (KINDA)
As managers are still getting familiar with the new website and entering in stats, here are some of the Players of the Week from the Opening Weeks. Remember your team must win the game to qualify for the honor.
 

Cliff Christopherson (Rosemount)
2 Games, Win, Save, 9IP, 0.00 ERA, 16K, 1 BB / 3-5 2 2B, 2 R

Brandon Case de Calvo (Minnetonka Saints)
Win, CG, SHO, 0.00 ERA, 3Ks, 3H

Mike Niemczyk (New Market)
4-6, 5 Runs, RBI, 2 BB

Matt Johnson (Minnoka)
2-3, 2B, RBI, 3 R, 2 SB, BB