Black Sox start quickly

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Rosemount Black Sox baseball coach Matt Tschida knows the situation and understands his team often has to tread water early in the season.

The Black Sox typically receive a jolt to the team’s depth as college players return to town to fill out the roster. Rosemount is usually left to wait on players to finish their collegiate seasons.

This season, the Black Sox have been doing a little more than treading water. Rosemount is 9-4 overall and 4-2 in the Cannon Valley League after two wins in the Cannon Falls tournament last weekend.

“We’ve got off to a pretty good start,” Tschida said. “Early in the year the offense was doing pretty well. Lately, the pitching has really stepped up and carried us the last couple of weeks.”

Rosemount lost 3-1 to Kasson in the Cannon Falls tournament last week, but then recovered to beat Cannon Falls, 4-3, and the Metro Merchants, 4-2.

As an added boost, the Black Sox aren’t waiting as long for the returning players this season as they have in the past.

Among those ready to play, or who have played, are Brett Thaden, Justin Wallace and Troy Hoeppner.

“We don’t have to wait as much as last year” Tschida said. “In the past, we’ve been waiting on some kids because they are with their college team a little longer. This year, they’re done a little earlier. That’s good for us, bad for them, I guess.”

One player that isn’t returning is Ben Lemke, who suffered an injury while playing collegiately and is out for the summer.

“That’s a big loss for us,” Tschida said.

Wallace has stepped in and become one of the team’s top pitchers. He was 3-1 with a 2.67 ERA heading into this week. He’s struck out 42 hitters in 30 1/3 innings. Wallace went eight innings in the win against the Metro Merchants last weekend, allowing just one run on three hits while striking out 13.

Lance Anderson returns and is 3-1 on the mound this season with a 3.89 ERA. Anderson earned the win against Cannon Falls with six innings of one-run ball.

Dave Neudecker and Chris Komorouski have also seen significant time on the mound. Tschida expects Michael Robohm and Matt Doornink to become important pitchers as well.

“Pitching and defense should be the strength,” Tschida said.

Loren Sjoquist has picked up his usual offensive production. He’s hitting .357 with one home run and nine RBI in 12 games. Tschida is hitting .288 with a team-high 14 runs scored. Dave Molde leads the team with 21 RBI.

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