I think we all kind of knew after Chaser got that hit, that we were destined for awesome things tonight.”

Manager Nick Tuckner

Check out the Hurricanes on Facebook and Twitter for the latest bracket information for this weekend's AAA bracket.

After Mother Nature played some head games with the Hastings Hurricanes and Lonsdale Jokers the last few weeks, trying to play one game, let alone two, the two South Division Rivals finally clashed on Monday night, as both teams look to solidify their respective playoff positioning. The Hurricanes not only made their way into the AAA Playoff Bracket, but for the first time in their two years of existence, the Purple Storm secured the #1 seed with a 9-0 win in game one and 12-1 win in game two. That means a likelihood of a 5:00 p.m. game against the #9 or #10 seed in the first round, Saturday Aug. 2 at Alimagnet Park in Burnsville.
In Monday's Doubleheader at Lonsdale, the Hurricanes made sure they got playoff ready not only at the plate, but on the mound and in the field as well. All facets were on display in game one, with Jordy Horsch and Mike Bauer both making huge run-saving defensive plays early. Game one Pitcher David Fransen then went into cruise control, efficiently gliding through five innings, walking only one, and not striking out anybody, meaning the Hurricanes fielding corps did the heavy lifting, that at times looked like Arnold Schwarzenegger picking up a dumbbell in 1975.
Double plays, throws from the outfield to gun down a would-be double (Steve Bahl), and routine plays placed a zero on the Lonsdale side of the scoreboard. Derrick Pfeffer also continued to torment Federal League pitching, going 2-for-3, with a 3-Run Home Run, pacing the Purple, offensively. Also, big congratulations to Hurricanes Utility Man Chase Rupprecht, with his first Federal League hit, drawing the loudest cheers of the night from the Hastings bench.
"You gotta love Chaser running around out there today, getting his first hit, and even took second, or as he said stole a base, later in the inning, before scoring on Nate's double. Those moments are why we keep playing this game." Manager Nick Tuckner said through his sweat-beaten hair fit more for a hockey rink, than a 92-degree night in July. "I think we all kind of knew after Chaser got that hit, that we were destined for awesome things tonight."
Game Two was actually much of the same. And that's not lazy journalism. Pfeffer hit his second home run of the night and season, this one a towering, majestic blast to left, that got Hastings out to an early 2-0 lead, which never left their possession.
Lonsdale did scratch a run across off Starter Nick Horsch, but otherwise, the Veteran Righty shined as usual, throwing all five innings, striking out four in the win. Horsch also added a hit and two stolen bases early on, before yielding at the plate to Vet Tony Kaiser, who also earned a hit and run in that spot in the order. Fransen also added a big bases-loaded 2-RBI single to put the Jokers away in the middle innings.
After game two, Tuckner noted "The second game really moved along slowly, but the fellas showed no wear or quit. Pfeffer gave us that moon shot early and put the team at ease. Guys like Pfeff, Nate Otto, Taylor Pagel, the Horsch Boys, we know the Vets have to lead the way. We'll rest up and see everybody in Burnsville on Saturday night!"
Check out the Hurricanes on Facebook and Twitter for the latest bracket information for this weekend's AAA bracket.