The Muskies have advanced to the second round of the Region 3C playoffs as the #1 seed after sweeping the Veseli Warriors in a best of three series. 

On Friday night in Veseli, New Market was led by another dominant pitching performance by The Nate Rost. He struck out a dozen hitters, yielding only a single walk while scattering six hits. The big fella went all nine, and shutout the Warriors for the second time in a week and a half. In his two outings against Veseli this season, he threw 18 innings, gave up only 8 hits, and struck out a ridiculous 28 batters while giving up only a single walk. 

Once again, it took the Fish a few innings to get going offensively, but after plating a single run in the 4th thanks to a Mike Carpentier double, New Market put together a four run 5th inning to seal the deal. A lead off walk from Stewart was followed by a Scotty Lyden HBP. Both runners advanced on a Nick Rost sac fly, and then Kyle Bergstrom knocked in Stewart on a RBI ground out. This was followed by a Nate Rost single. Two more runs would eventually score on a Ballantyne single and a Mike Carp sac fly. They added one more run in the 8th on a Scotty Lyden RBI double to get to the final total of six.

We are also excited to report that Scotty Lyden reached a nice little milestone this evening, notching up his 200th career hit in a Muskie uniform. Congrats Spokes!

Derek Bergstrom took the hill for the Fish yesterday in what proved to be the final game of the series. He wasn't as sharp as we're used to seeing him, but he was extremely effective nonetheless. In fact, I think there was one really hard hit ball on the afternoon. Either way, the lefty went seven strong innings, scattering six hits and allowing onle a single run. Scotty Lyden came in for the last two innings and closed the door. Looks like Spokes Lyden has reclaimed his pitching swagger.

The Muskies had a three run 5th and a four run 6th. Offensively, there were two highlights on the afternoon: Harrison Ballantyne tripled in the 4th, and if my memory serves, this is the first triple at the Fish Bowl in the last decade (at least); Kyle Bergstrom hit his 8th dinger of the year in the 6th---a grand slam. Stewart, Nick Rost, and Harry all had multiple hits on the afternoon.

Hitter of the series was definitely Harry Ballantyne: he went 5-8 in the series, with 3 RBI, and 2 SB. Atta kid.

The Fish resume the second season on Sunday at noon in New Market, opponent TBD. We'll keep you posted.