As for the actual season, it couldn’t have gone a whole lot better.  A franchise-best 11-2 in SCL play pretty much says it all.  Couple that with an eight game win streak heading into the post-season, and it was definitely a summer to remember.  Unfortunately, the season ended abruptly with two losses in the playoffs, effectively ending Spring Hill’s season.  The wild ride that seemed like it just started was over in an instant. (I’m sure every guy on the team has been there before…okay I’ll keep it clean the rest of the way).  The fact of the matter is the Chargers played some damn good baseball between April and July.  There were blowouts (Three wins of 8 runs or more, including a 27-2 pounding of Farming) and a fair share of nail biters (6 games decided by one run).  They looked shaky in the Freeport tournament, losing two ball games, yet there lone win came against an Avon team that would finish 12-1 during league play.  They averaged over nine runs a game in league play, including 53 in a four game span; yet they came up with just one run in two playoff games combined.  That’s what so great about baseball; it’s so unpredictable.  The team seemed to catch a break so often during the regular season.  During the playoffs, both Eric Marthaler and Andy Mages made excellent diving catches on line drives hit by Jaime and Eric early in both games.  I know its cliché to say, but it truly is a game of inches. If those balls get to the fence, they’re triples instead of outs, and who knows what would have happened.

Going back to the regular season, the pitching staff was a valuable component to all the winning.  Staff ace Shawn Schoenberg posted a sparkling 1.48 ERA, but was snake-bit by poor run support, leading to a 4-4 record.  He led the team with 45 K’s and also logged a staff leading 54 innings.  He threw very well in the playoffs, which he hopes to continue as a draftee for New Munich.  Eric Schoenberg rebounded with a strong ’09 season, leading the team with 5 wins.  He appeared in a team-high 10 games, striking out 24.  His real value came with is versatility, being able to start a game as well as come on in relief.  Same goes for Aaron Welle and Chris Spanier, both able to pitch regardless of the situation.

It’s not too often a team has to replace home plate during the season, but the way this bunch was scoring runs it was necessary.  Well maybe it had to be done no matter what, but the Charger offense did light up the scoreboard all summer long.  Jaime Terres was a big reason why, leading the team in batting average (.412) , runs (25), and hits (33). He did lose his all-time lead in hit-by-pitches during the season; guess someone has to be tough enough to take one for the team. Corey Schoenberg also enjoyed a break-out season, batting .310 while hitting three homers and driving in a team-high 23 runs.  He’ll be looking use that power to impress freshmen women next spring at Ridgewater CC in Willmar.   

Nate Terres posted a solid .333 average while leading the team with 11 stolen bases.  His plan is to find time to juggle being a father and making an instructional video on the fundamentals of base running.  Shawn (.366 BA, 3 HR’s, 17RBI), Dave (.291 BA), and Eric (17 hits, 7 2B) also contributed to the offensive boom.  Overall, the offensive output was a team effort.  Rookie Kyle Bertram was a solid pinch runner all season.   After throwin’ back some Knob Creek, he and Corey were known to sneak onto unsuspecting bachelorette buses and party with the ladies.  They even managed to take some jello shots on their way out.  Yeah, you guessed it- they “didn’t even see ‘em”. Game in, game out, someone new seemed to step up.  It’s what makes a good offense keep rolling.  An 11-2 record is something to be proud of.  It was a tough way to end the season, but with a good chance of most everyone returning and maybe even some reinforcements joining the squad, they’ll keep right on rolling.

The offseason will be chalk full of noteworthy events for your favorite ball club.  Jaime Terres and Eric Schoenberg will both be tying the knot with their respective ladies next spring.  Brandon Welle will be starting a career teaching/coaching in Hancock, MN…might even start a Jackyl tribute band if he has time. Chad, Dave, and Nicholas are adding to the family later in the year.  Corey and Joe are off to college. Jonny is the main man at the Golf course, ready to come home to his brand new finished basement A-dub.  The S.H. Wreckin’ crew will be back to compete in the Olympics.  So try as you may, you can’t get away from these guys.  They’ll be around.  Before you know it, after a long winter, it’ll be spring…and the Chargers will be up to no good once again.  See ya next year.

(AP Sartell)