July 12 at Lanesboro

A warm albeit relentless rain did more to challenge the La Crescent Apple Jacks than the play of the Lanesboro Excelsiors on Saturday. Absent thunder and lightning, the Jacks provided their own by jumping out in the first inning with 14 hits and 10 runs. The Excelsiors, a newly-established club playing without some of their mightier bats, hung on through nine innings with 12 hits and 1 run, as the Jacks recorded their fourth win of the year with 38 hits and 16 runs.

The highlight of the day was the Jacks’ dramatic defensive moves in spite of the wet circumstances and the occasional downpour. One such play occurred with an Excelsior runner on first. The Jacks’ Jim “Scoop” Schupbach was pulled off first on the force play at second base, while pitcher Gary “Big Weas” Pericak alertly scampered to first and caught the throw for the second out. The double play is common in modern baseball, but in 1860s base ball, it is as rare as a town without a saloon.

Witnessing the dazzling double play, the spectators, ensconced in covered bleachers, rose from their seats to cheer enthusiastically.

The Jacks also were adept at placing men on base and getting them home. Andy “Ziggy” Johnson, a speedster, reached base 6 times and scored 2 runs. Jason “Weasel” Pericak, Mark “Wally” Walters, Benjamin “George” Deetz, and Steve “Whitey” Geronime also brought in two runs each, while Erik “Stretch” Deetz, Samuel “Slim” Deetz and Joel “Hefty” Affeldt each tallied four hits. Jim “Red” Johnson had three hits and was welcomed back to the lineup after a hand injury suffered during the home opener in May.

Pitching and catching steeled the defense once again. “Hefty” and “Big Weas” pitched to the Excelsiors with deft hands and keen eyes, while Dan “Skunk” Deetz and John “Rook” Wilkie dodged puddles of mud to secure the pitches and nab foul tips.