Oct 12 at Rushford

Apple Jacks extend season with power, defeating Rochester 9-5

On a crisp fall afternoon in the 1860s, there was nothing more satisfying after church than a potluck dinner and an afternoon of base ball. The La Crescent Apple Jacks found themselves in that idyllic setting on October 12 to face—and defeat—the Roosters of Olmsted County. The congregation of the Highland Prairie Church, just south of Rushford, graciously hosted the teams, who played on a grassy field next to the church. The game extended the Jacks’ 2014 season to a 7-7-1 record.

The Roosters jumped off to a 5-0 lead, but after 3 innings, the Jacks roared back and the hits kept coming: 31 in all. Even with all those hits and a short field, only one ball made it over a sturdy outfield fence and to a line of walnut trees. Occasional light showers did little to make the grass hazardous, and the temperatures barely made it to 52 degrees, which felt good to the men, but chilly to spectators.

Jason “Weasel” Pericak swung his bat like he was wielding an axe to chop down a mammoth tree. He tallied 5 hits and 3 runs and made a diving catch on the run in left field. Dan “Skunk” Deetz also had 5 hits, while Samuel “Slim” Deetz and his brother Benjamin “George” each had 4 hits. Joel “Hefty” Affeldt and Erik “Stretch” Deetz tallied 3 hits apiece, while Jim “Scoop” Schupbach had 2 hits.

Huzzah! to "Pops" and "Lefty" from the Lanesboro Excelsiors for filling out the Jacks' roster.

Thank you to the congregation of Highland Prairie Church for their hospitality.

Jason "Weasel" Pericak [at bat, below] found the setting to his liking with 5 hits and 3 aces.