The Eden Prairie Round Lake Church league is two weeks old in 2010 and has already seen its share of exciting games. Week one saw two one-run contests, a six-run game and two teams score 22 or better. Week two wasn't as competitive, with four of the five league games being decided by 15+ runs, but it had more fireworks with the winners averaging 25 runs per game.
Week three's match ups could prove to be even more captivating as the top two scoring teams, Wooddale Mercy Rules and Resurrection Life Warriors, square off in the opener (5:50) on field #2 as the start of a great night of games on paper.
Wooddale, 2009's Team of the Year as voted on by managers, is coming off of a nine game turnaround from 2008 to 2009 and has opened 2010 with two convincing wins, 23-5 over St. Andrew Red and 26-8 over Immanuel. Rez Life rolled through its 2009 opponents and averaged 17.8 runs per game in doing so, while playing into the 6th inning or later just a couple of times. This season, Rez has re-tooled and come out 2-0 with a hard-fought 16-15 victory over Wooddale Classic and then held on for a 26-22 win over St. Andrew Blue last week in a game in which it lead by 15 runs after two different innings.
It will be a good test for both teams and a league barometer of sorts to see who stands tallest at this point. I think the Warriors will maintain its league authority in controlling fashion, putting runs on the board every inning before winning 23-13 after five.
Following the Warriors vs. Rules game, Classic takes on its brothers from Wooddale at 6:50 on field #2. I would guess that Classic will have the edge as the big brother, but Rules will have nothing to lose in that game. Classic is another team averaging 20 runs a game and has a great league history with five league titles in the 2000's before moving up to a more challenging league. I think the Classic men will handle the Rules boys as the mystique hasn't worn off yet, Classic 22 Rules 16.
To close off a great three-hour stretch, Redeemer Bible faces off with Classic. Redeemer should be loaded with much of its solid squad so Classic better be ready to go or newcomer Redeemer will turn some heads. How this game starts will be huge. Classic has the ability to knock you down in the first inning and just apply pressure each inning after that. Redeemer has more explosion, but can force things if it falls behind too much too soon. I'm going out on a limb and picking an upset here with Redeemer bringing home the victory 19-16.
The weather forecast has taken a turn towards the positive with little to no rain tomorrow evening. While the 52 degree temperature may seem cool, watching these three games should warm you up in a hurry. Don't miss this week's action.
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