For the second time this season, the Muskies defeated their cross-town rivals, the Elko/New Market East Express. And for the second time this season, there were fireworks after the game, this time, in a genuine celebration of America, in the form of actual, light-up-the-sky, fireworks. Two umpires. Packed house. Elko even pulled out their mascot. This is what amateur baseball is all about.

And in the humble opinion of el web maestro, this was one of the finest games that the lanky lefty, Derek Bergstrom, has pitched while wearing a Muskies jersey. He kept the Express off balance all evening after wiggling out of an early first inning jam. Elko scored their only run in the 6th inning after a Dylan Thomas lead off double that was followed by a TJ Evenson single. But that was it. Derek's commanding presence on the mound set the tone for the evening, in front of a fantastic crowd on a beautiful evening.

The Muskies didn't waste any time getting to Elko starter Tyler Brekke. Scotty Lyden plated the first run after walking and coming around to score on a booming Nick Rost double to left field. Two more would come across in the 4th thanks to RBI singles from the eight and nine hitters, Ballantyne and Engler.

In the 7th, Kyle Bergstrom came up with one runner on and sealed the deal for the Fish with a two run ding-dong over the right field fence. DB breezed through the last few innings.

And that was how it would end. 6-1 in favor of the Fish. A nice bounce back win after a tough night in New Prague over a very good Elko team. 'Twas a total team victory. The defense was stellar. Tyler and Scotty turned the sweetest double play they've turned all year, and everyone took quality at-bats. Fun to watch. Seeya on Sunday in St. Benedict, I guess.