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  • Mankato Twins' Tony Konicek scores ahead of the throw to Shakopee catcher Andrew Zellman during the third inning Wednesday at Franklin Rogers Park. Pat Christman

    Kato Twins1_7-12.jpg

  • Mankato Twins' Todd Standish lays down a bunt during their game against Shakopee Wednesday. Pat Christman

    Kato Twins2_7-12.jpg

July 11, 2012

Mankato Twins put on the hits

By Jim Rueda Free Press Sports Editor

MANKATO — In Monday’s loss to Burnsville, the Mankato Twins amateur baseball team pounded out 11 hits but couldn’t string many together. On Wednesday, the Twins belted 17 more hits and this time, they came in bunches.

The result was an 8-4 win over Shakopee in a non-league game at Franklin Rogers Park. Of the 17 hits, three went for extra-bases

“We finally strung a few of them together tonight,” Twins player/coach Jay Nessler said. “We couldn’t buy a hit with men on base against Burnsville but we got it going tonight.”

Left-hander Danny Miller was not his usual sharp self Wednesday but turned in a solid performance to get the win. He pitched the first seven innings, allowing three earned runs on seven hits, striking out eight and walking five.

“He hit a few rough spots and he didn’t have as good a control as he usually has but he pitched through it,” Nessler said. “For the most part he pitched a nice game.”

Kevin Regan and Ben Kaus each pitched a scoreless inning to close out the game.

Trailing 3-1 after 2 1/2 innings, the Twins tied the game with a two-run rally in the third.

Three straight singles by Tony Konicek, Jay Nessler and Steve Helget, coupled with a run-scoring ground out by Miller fueled the rally.

Mankato took the lead for good in the fourth as Ben Kaus singled to left, Jovan Rodriguez doubled him to third and Konicek smacked a two-run single for a 5-3 Mankato advantage.

The Twins then put the game away with a three-run fifth. Consecutive doubles by Miller and Greene ignited the rally and Todd Standish followed with infield single that bounced off the pitching rubber. Kaus got the second run home with a sacrifice fly and Konicek drove in the third with a base hit

Konicek led Mankato’s 17-hit attack, going 3 for 5 with three RBIs. Helget was 2 for 5 and drove in two runs. Rodriguez, Nessler and Todd Standish finished with two hits apiece.

The win improves Mankato’s record to 12-2.

The Twins are off until July 19, when they host the Austin Greyounds in a 7:30 p.m. game at Franklin Rogers Park.

Mets 18, Kaiserhoff 3

The Mankato Mets pounded out 20 hits en route to a victory over New Ulm Kaiserhoff at Johnson Field on Wednesday.

Seth Allan went 5 for 6 with an RBI and three runs scored. He also earned the pitching win, allowing one earned run.

Jimmy Kiefer finished with three hits, two RBIs and three runs scored.

Adam Geiger had two hits and four RBIs for the Mets. Josh Anderson and Adam Rajtar each had two hits; Anderson’s included a double.

Mankato (12-3) will play Owatonna at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Wolverton Field.

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