ELM CREEK

(Click Here To See Games in Scorecard)

Game 1 - 8:30A (7/24)

Silver Bullets(LA) 16 - Elm Creek 6

Game 2 - 2:00P (7/24)

Elm Creek 15 - BP Amoco(MN) 13

Game 3 - 11:57A (7/25)

West Cobb(GA) 16 - Elm Creek 6

Game 4 - 5:15P (7/25)

Elm Creek 16 - Leitchfield(KY) 4

Game 5 - 8:12P (7/25)

Silver Bullets(LA) 17 - Elm Creek 1

ASA NATIONALS FINISH:

TEAM (HEAD COACH) CITY, STATE

1st - Clarkdale (Rick Roberson) Meridian, MS

2nd - Silver Bullets (Julie Portie) Suphur, LA

3rd - CLCF Gals (Paul Traficanti) Cranston, RI

4th - West Cobb Kraze (Jeff Isley) Dallas, GA

5th - Elm Creek (Bernie Koep Champlin, MN

6th - Richfield BP Amoco (Scott Freeman) Richfield, MN

7th - Holland America (Cathy Corbett) Williston, ND

8th - Leitchfield All-Stars (Kevin Pharis) Leitchfield, KY

2008 MINNESOTA 16U

ASA STATE TOURNAMENT

THIRD PLACE

Sand Creek Park, Coon Rapids, MN

Game 1 - 11:52A 7/19/08

Burnsville Black 11 - Elm Creek 6

Game 2 - 2:16P 7/19/08-7/20/08

Elm Creek 16 - Bloomington Thunder 4

Game 3 - 8:20A 7/20/08

Elm Creek 15 - Bloomington Warriors 5 

Game 4 - 11:37A 7/20/08

Elm Creek 24 - Coon Rapids Pirates 10

Game 5 - 12:55P 7/20/08

Elm Creek 18 - Batitude 5  

Game 6 - 2:00P 7/20/08

Elm Creek  23 - Burnsville Black 17

Game 7 - 3:51P 7/20/08

Glen Lake 10 - Elm Creek 8

7/12/2008

ELM CREEK WINS 2008 Minnesota USSSA 19 & UNDER

CONSOLATION CHAMPIONSHIP in Champlin

     (Champlin, MN)Yes, that's right: 19U State, not 16U like we're supposed to be a part of. It seems the CDAA Softball Director failed to get our entry into the state in a timely manner- so we're out, but we were offered a spot in 19U.

     So, we played in the 19U tourney in order to stay in shape for the ASA State and Nationals.

Game Scores:

#1- W = Elm Creek 16 - Bloomington "A" 19U 4

#2- L = Golden Valley 19U 25 - Elm Creek 9

#3- L = Minnetonka 19U 10 - Elm Creek 7

#4- W = Elm Creek 29 - Bloomington "B" 19U 0

Consolation Championship:

#5- W = Elm Creek 19 - Richfield 19U 4

CDAA Regular Season Play 7/16/2008: 

ELM CREEK 20 - WILD THINGS 11

(Champlin, MN) - Elm Creek completed a 16-0 undefeated CDAA season in 16U league play.

Burnsville Invitational Tournament 6/28-29/2008:

ELM CREEK WINS BURNSVILLE INVITATIONAL!!

Saturday June 28

Game 1: W 16-15 v. Bloomington Thunder

Game 2: W 15-2 v. Bloomington Warriors

Game 3: L 12-23 v. Richfield BP

Sunday June 29

Game 4: W 26-0 v. Bloomington Warriors

Game 5: W 7-5 v. Burnsville Black

(Championship)

Game 6: W 15-11 v. Richfield BP (8 inn)  

Father Hennepin Tournament 6/21-22/2008:

ELM CREEK WINS FATHER HENNEPIN TOURNAMENT!

(Champlin, MN) - Elm Creek won all four of their games to win the Father Hennepin Festival tourney.

Game 1: SATURDAY 5:56PM 6/21

Elm Creek 21 - RockStars 4

Game 2: SATURDAY 7:16PM

Elm Creek 24 - Toyota City 3

Game 3: SUNDAY 11:13AM

Elm Creek 12 - Linda's Cafe 2

Game 4: SUNDAY 1:22PM (Championship)

Elm Creek 15 v. Linda's Cafe 10 

CDAA Regular Season Play 7/9/2008: 

ELM CREEK 10 - BPAA#1 9

(Champlin, MN) - BPAA#1 posted a solid effort and seemed to have The Creek on the ropes as they took a 9-7 lead into the 7th inning.

     However, the girls posted 3 runs in the top frame to make the score 10-9 and then held the BPers scoreless in their half of the frame.

     The win keeps Elm Creek undefeated in CDAA play at 15-0.

     The CDAA finale is scheduled for next Wednesday against Wild Things at Northland Park.CDAA

6/25/2008

Regular Season Play 6/25/2008: 

ELM CREEK 15 - TOYOTA CITY 6

(Champlin, MN) - With Elm Creek "Bernie-less" for the first time in the modern era, the girls managed to defeat the City under the guidance of the venerable ancient one, Ron Herzog.   Improving their record in CDAA play to 14-0, the Creek had 18 hits and scored in every inning.  The game was marked by outstanding defense on both teams- highlighted by birthday girl Christa Koep's back-handed stab and throw of a bases-loaded grounder deep in the hole between short and 3rd.

ELM CREEK 7 - LINDA'S CAFE 6

(Champlin, MN) - The Creek remained unbeaten surviving a furious comback by Linda's Cafe Wednesday night 6/18 and winning 7-6.

6/20/2008

Richfield Tournament:

ELM CREEK TOURNEY RESULTS

(Richfield, MN) - Elm Creek took second place in the Richfield Invitational on the weekend of 6/14.

Game 1: SATURDAY 8:35AM 6/14

Elm Creek 17 - BloomingtonA 9

Game 2: SATURDAY 11:00AM

Elm Creek 8 - Minnetonka 7

Game 3: SATURDAY 1:30PM

Elm Creek 15 - Polars 14

Game 4: SUNDAY 11AM

Elm Creek 20 v. BloomingtonB 9 

Game 5: SUNDAY 1:30PM (Semi-Final)

Elm Creek 7 v. Glen Lake 4

Game 6: SUNDAY 5:15PM (Championship)

Elm Creek 5 - Richfield 15

6/18/2008

Elm Creek Clinches

tie for 16U Division

Crown!

 ELM CREEK 22 - TOYOTA CITY 0

(Champlin, MN) - A ten-run first inning and a one-hit pitching/defensive performance lead to a shutout for the creek as the girls improve their record to 7-0 in CDAA league play, Wednesday night 6/4.

     In a game shortened to just 3 innings, each Creek player got at least one hit. In the top half of the first, singles by Katie Meissner, Jamie Lichy, Christa Koep, Jackie McLain, Megan Steffel and Kelli Thiel provided RBI opportunities for a double by Alicia Hughes, a triple by Heather Schiller and a two-run homer by Hannah Schiller.

     Toyota went down on 3 pitches in the bottom of the first 1-2-3. Highlighted by the first out catch of a towering fly ball that Tonya LaMont made in left-field foul territory.

     In the second, nine more runs were tacked on by the Creek with doubles by Steff Larson and McLain. Homers by Lichy and Hannah Schiller's second boosted the score. Hannah finished with six RBI.

     Sam Ubl ended the second for Toyota with a sure-handed catch at third base.

     Three more runs were added in the third by the Creek and Toyota was shut down to end the game.

ELM CREEK 13 - BPAA 3

(Champlin, MN) - The Creek completed it's 25th game of the 2008 season with a 13-3 win over Brooklyn Park Athletic Association #1 in the night-cap of the double-header 6/4.

     The win improves Elm Creek's record to 20 wins and 5 losses overall and to 8-0 in CDAA 16U "A" division play. With the win over BPAA, Elm Creek clinches a tie for the regular season division championship as Wild Things, BPAA and Linda's Cafe are now all 3-4 with 4 games to go.

6/10/2008

Champlin Showcase Tournament:

ELM CREEK 2 & 2 IN TOURNEY

(Champlin, MN) - A consistant Richfield team that used timely hitting to stage a come-back win that knocked Elm Creek out of the Champlin Showcase Saturday 6/7.  It was the second loss of the day and that was it for the Creek. Earlier wins were 21-2 over Bloomington and 30-4 over Las Chicas. The other loss was to Sandvick, which came back from an 11-0 deficit on a flip-flop.

Game 1: SATURDAY 8:05AM 6/7

Elm Creek 21 - Bloomington 2

Game 2: SATURDAY 10:07AM

Elm Creek 11 - Sandvick 13

Game 3: SATURDAY 3:37PM

Elm Creek 30 - Las Chicas 4

Game 4: SATURDAY 5:46PM

Elm Creek: 8 - Richfield BP 17

6/5/2008

Andover Spring Tournament:

HELS ANGELS NEEDS TWO

TO DEFEAT ELM CREEK!

(Andover, MN) - The championship of the Andover Spring Tournament came down to last year's USSSA State Championship contestants and Hel's Angels got the best of Elm Creek again in a two-game sweep in the championship.

Game 1: SATURDAY 5:15PM to 8:10AM 6/1

(The month-long game, from May to June.)

Elm Creek 10 - Excel Flooring 9

Game 2: SUNDAY 8:35AM

Elm Creek 14 - Hel's Angels 3

Game 3: SUNDAY 11:35AM

Elm Creek 7 - Glen Lake 6

Game 4: SUNDAY 2:50PM (Championship)

Elm Creek 6 - Hel's Angels 16

Game 5: SUNDAY 4:06PM (Championship 2)

Elm Creek 7 - Hel's Angels 8

6/1/2008

LARSON DONATES HAIR!

(Fridley, MN) - Totino-Grace freshman and Elm Creek outfielder Steff Larson bravely stepped up and let a pair of barber shears lop off a foot of her impressive main of hair for a chairity that utilizes the hair for wigs for people with hair-loss due to various medical malidies.

     The event was shown on KARE-11 locally as several others at the school donated some of their ear-to-ear carpeting to the cause. You can see the video by clicking here.

     "I had plenty, so why not?" said Larson, whose main regret (or reason for) the hair loss was actually so that R. J. wouldn't be able to announce "pull here to activate bat" in the batting order" in referring to Larson's long braid that can be seen in the 2007 Nationals pictures under Photos.

     Congratulations to Steff on this selfless act of kindness.

5/31/2008

ELM CREEK 12 - LINDA'S CAFE 11

(Champlin, MN) - On a night that most everything was going wrong, Sam Ubl did something right with a walk-off, bases-loaded smash to left field that scored winning runner Katie Meissner from second base.

     The hit came in the bottom of the 6th and final inning to beat the gritty Linda's Cafe 12-11, completing a comeback from a 9-0 deficit Wednesday night 5/28.

     Linda's started off the night scoring one in the top half of the first off of two singles and an error. After a scoreless Elm Creek frame, the Restaurant Girls put together eight runs in the second inning, taking advantage of five walks and three timely hits including a 3-run homer by Number 22. All five players that walked scored for Linda's.

     With the score now 9-0, the Creek managed nothing until the bottom of the 4th when three straight singles by Jamie Lichy, Christa Koep and Ubl were followed by a walk from Alicia Hughes and a 2-run single by Hannah Schiller. Tonya LaMont walked forcing in the fourth run of the inning and the score was 9-4 in Linda's favor.

     Defense became the issue for the Creek as the girls had to hold off the hard-hitting girls of the Roger's breakfast haven. Steff Larson's stabbing catch of what appeared to be a gap-shot in right helped to stop the bleeding in the big Linda's 2nd. The importance of hitting the cut-off became evident in three relays that caught Linda's runners at second and twice at third.

     After the Creek added another run in the 5th to make the score 9-5, Linda's posted two more of their own in the top half of the 6th from a single and a home run by Number 00. With the score now 11-5, things looked bleak for the Creek.

     The 6th didn't start well when the left-fielder for Linda's robbed Hannah Schiller of extra bases with a high-jump catch of a blast to deep left. However, things changed when Jackie McLain muscled an inside pitch up the middle for a seeing-eye single. LaMont then plopped a Texas-Leaguer into right and Larson walked the bases full.

     Linda's changed pitchers then Rachel Koehler then hammered a ground ball just to the third base side of second and shortstop got a glove on it, but stumbled enough to allow everyone to be safe, scoring McLain.

     With the score now 11-6, the bases loaded and 1 out,  Kelli Thiel managed a walk, after taking a first-pitch strike, that forced in LaMont making it 11-7.

     The bases were loaded for Meissner who singled just over the glove of the shortstop allowing Larson to score, putting the game at 11-8. Lichy then walked forcing in Koehler making it 11-9.

     Koep then hit a worm-burner that the second-sacker could only kick, but a great back-up play by Linda's allowed only Thiel to score and held up Meissner at second. Then it was Ubl's turn.

5/19/2008

1ST EVER 16U TOURNEY WIN!

 ELM CREEK WINS SOFTBALLMANIA TOURNEY!

(CHAMPLIN, MN) - The tourney began Saturday and Elm Creek starte off well as the girls post 3 impressive wins and moved to Sunday with a 3-0 record.

     They suffered a tough loss to a scrappy Richfield team Sunday morning, but bounced back against Burnsville, a team that beat Elm Creek in the Spring Fling tournament just two weeks before.

     The championship was played against Glen Lake, the team that actually knocked the Creek out of that same tournament. The girls won 16-9 to take the crown.

     Teams in the tournament were: North St. Paul Polars, Las Chicas, BPAA, Burnsville Black, Bloomington Thunder, Charlie's Angels, Linda's Cafe, Glen Lake and Bloomington ATI.

     Complete tourney results will be found in the "Scorecard". Below is a summary of the weekend's games.

Game 1: SATURDAY 9AM

Elm Creek 24 - NStP POLARS 6

Game 2: SATURDAY 10AM

Elm Creek 18 - LAS CHICAS 1

Game 3: SATURDAY 12N

Elm Creek 18 - BPAA 5

Game 4: SUNDAY 9am

Richfield 13 - Elm Creek 11

Game 5: SUNDAY 1pm

Elm Creek 11 - Burnsville 1

GAME 6: CHAMPIONSHIP

ELM CREEK 16 - GLEN LAKE 9

5/21/08

ELM CREEK 23 - WILD THINGS 8

(Champlin, MN) - Under the first calm skies of the year at any venue, game 5 of the CDAA regular season began in the first inning with a whimper and ended in a roar as Elm Creek beat Wild Things 23-8 Wednesday night 5/21, staying unbeaten in league play and improving to 14-3 overall.

     The game began as calm as the evening with a little knock up the middle by Katie Meissner. She was forced at 2nd however after an outstanding play was made by the Things' pitcher, who stabbed a screaming ground ball off the bat of otherwise hot-hitting Jamie Lichy. Christa Koep then walked, followed by a hard single to left-center by Sam Ubl that allowed Lichy to score from 2nd.

     The inning seemed to be winding down after Heather Schiller's attempt to knock a passing helicopter out of the sky failed as she flew out.

     Then the fireworks began. Consecutive doubles by Alicia "Hollywood" Hughes and Jackie "Soxx" McLain were followed by a single by Hannah Schiller, a monster double by Megan Steffel, a single by Tonya LaMont, an air-mailed double by Steff Larson, walks by Rachel Koehler and Kelli Thiel, then yet another double off the bat of Meissner.  Koep capped the scoring at 12 in the inning with a single to score Meissner.

     After the Things posted some power-hitting of their own in the bottom of the 1st, the score stood at 12-5 after just one! A string of errors by Elm Creek allowed the score to get to 13-8 after the 3rd, but then another barrage of bashes in the top of the 4th, highlighted by a solid smash single off the bat of the aforementioned would-be helicopter-killer Heather Schiller, put the Creek on top 23-8 and that's where it ended via the "run-rule".

5/14/08

ELM CREEK 21 - TOYOTA CITY 0

Click HERE to find Game 9 Summary

(Champlin, MN) - Elm Creek allowed 1-HIT in defeating Toyota City on the way to a 21-0 victory at Northland Park's field #2 Wednesday night. The girls managed 16 hits with doubles by Jamie Lichy, Jackie McLain, Alicia Hughes, Hannah Schiller and Tonya LaMont. Heather Schiller hit 2 HR, including a Grand Slam.

     Defensively, the Creek limited their opponents to just 11 plate appearances with just one error on a questionable call by the scorekeeper who shall go nameless. It was an outstanding effort on a tough play that first baser Rachel Koehler almost made- but only Supergirl could've made that play.  Koehler later said, "Sorry, but I don't see a red "S" on the front of my shirt."

ELM CREEK 23 - BPAA 13

Click HERE to find Game 10 Summary

(Champlin, MN) - In the nightcap, the yellow and black fought off a hard-hitting, slick-running BPAA #1 team 23-13.

     Even a questionable call at home by a usually steady and trusted umpire didn't slow the Creek as they slapped out 22 hits including 4 doubles, 2 by Jamie Lichy.  Steff Larson continued her latest hitting streak at 4 games with a bases-loaded single in the first inning. Katie Meissner  and Christa Koep were 3 for 4.

     Kelli Thiel had 3 put-outs at catcher, but was robbed of a 4th. After player #11 for BPAA cleared the bases with a triple in the bottom of the 1st inning, she dashed for home on a ground-ball to Jackie McLain at pitcher. McLain threw to Rachel Koehler for the force at 1st and Koehler through to Thiel at the plate who appeared to get the tag on #11's right knee before she crossed the dish.   

(Photos courtesy Carol McLain)

4/24/2008

FAMILY VS. ELM CREEK!

GIRLS 17 - FAMILIES 6!

(CHAMPLIN, MN) - The Elm Creek girls pasted their parents and Will S. May 4th at Clyde.  All of the girls appeared ready to go at the plate. Running on the basepaths though was a little dubious. There appeared to be a bit of rust on the wheels as a few nameless players were moving as though they had a pop machine strapped on their back. (That's humor for you youths that are too sensitive.)

     All was not lost for the family team though as Head Coach Bernie (Christa Jr.) Koep belted a 0-1 pitch the wrong way down the line for a 2-run inside-the-park homer.

     Below see trainer Claire doing the "Magic Fingers" routine on Woods. The evil spell worked, she can hardly walk now. 

SPRING FLING TOURNEY!

(CHAMPLIN, MN) - Elm Creek finished in the top four in the girl's first ever 16U tournament.  A loss to the hot-hitting Glen Lake girls ended ECS' bid for the Spring Fling Championship.

     "We were 4 & 2, this is actually outstanding for the first tournament at this level," said ECS head coach Bernie Koep, "I think the girls were a little hard on themselves after a good team simply hit the ball well in our final game."

     Glen Lake strung together an impressive set of hits that just found the open holes in the defense allowing them to score a pile of runs.  This is the same type of beating that ECS put on a few other teams in this same tourney.

     "The girls need to remember that you've always got a chance if you just do your best," said assistant coach R. J. Thiel, "You can't play at a high level if you're dragging your head."

     Wednesday Elm Creek opens the regular season in Champlin's 16U CDAA league. The girls are waiting now to play:

 Complete tourney results will be found in the "Scorecard". Below is a summaryof this past weekend's games.

Game 1: Saturday 4 PM Elm Creek 29 - Linda's Cafe 6

Game 2: Saturday 5 PM Elm Creek 18 - Polars 12

Game 3: Sunday, 8 AM Elm Creek 10 - Burnsville 14

Game 4: Sunday, 10 AM Elm Creek 17 - Wild Things 6

Game 5: Sunday, 12 PM Elm Creek 27 - Cutie Tan 2

Semi-Final: Sunday, 2 PM Elm Creek 5 - Glen Lake 25

4/26/08

EARLY BIRD CANCELLED!

(CHAMPLIN, MN) - Tell Al Gore to take his Nobel Prize and his Global Warming and jump in the lake- OH, he can't because the lake is frozen!!

     Wonder why they cancelled? Jamie was ready, but what the heck is the stuff all over the gazeebo?

4/24/08

HERZOG ARRIVES IN MINNESOTA!

(BEACH OF ANOKA, MN) -- Elm Creek coach Ron Herzog made good on his vow to return to Minnesota last week as his boat arrived from Arizona just off Anoka Beach on the Rum River. Herzog had to take a ship after it was discovered that his 1951 Studebaker Commando wouldn't be able to make the trip.   "I'm sad to report that my faithful car has left it's usefulness behind..." said Herzog when asked about his method of transportation, "I was fortunate to commandeer an available Higgins LCVP to complete my trip back to Minnesota."

    Last Winter when Herzog left the state he vowed, "I shall return!" He's shown above wading ashore with other returning Snowbirds after their LCVP run aground in the Rum River just north of it's mouth at the Mississippi.

4/1/08

WHAT? ALICIA HUGHES QUITS ELM CREEK TEAM; WILL PURSUE SINGING CAREER INSTEAD!

(CHAMPLIN, MN) -- In an unexpected if not uncharacteristic move, long-time Elm Creek second base person Alicia Hughes announced through her agent that she's hanging up her cleats to further the musical career of her dreams.

     "Ms. Hughes has had an offer that she can't refuse," said agent Vito Corleone from his office in Las Vegas, NV., "she'll be singing along with the 2nd base instead of fielding grounders next to it."

     Friends of the 2nd sacker were completely taken aback by the move.

     "If anything, I thought she'd be Dancing With The Stars, but not this," said long-time pal Tonya LaMont, "but she tends to do what she wants."

     Coach Bernie Koep only could comment, "Happy April Fool's Day to you too R. J."

3/28/2008

THE BLACK DEMARINI LIVES!

(RAMOKADOVER, MN) -- To steal a headline from Craig Larson, the scourge of the league bat will return to Elm Creek this year.  Though much searching and work, Mr. Larson has pulled off the steal of the year in obtaining this vintage bat; still NEW in the wrapper!

     "It took blood, sweat and tears-- but I got lucky," Larson explained, "I posed as a poor, little girl from the wrong side of the tracks and got the deal I needed for this slice of Aluminum Heaven!"  Hopefully the girls appreciate the effort.

     A similar bat, you may remember, was provided for team use by Sam Ubl's Mom.  However, this unit met it's demise in late 2007, with the end falling out and the barrel getting dented.  Much consternation and hand-wringing took place lamenting the loss of the metal ball punisher, but our hero has saved the day.

3/25/08

New Monument Proposed in Champlin

(Champlin, MN) - The Champlin Park and Recreation Commission recently reviewed proposals for a monument to be placed at Northland Park.  There were several suggestions put forth, but the one that Elm Creek News was able to obtain an artist's(?) rendering of (excuse dangling participle) is shown here.  It depicts four sluggers from the Elm Creek team;  they are Jessi 579 Battingaverage, Hannah Ninetriples, Jackie Nintyeightrunsbattedin and Lamie Seventeendoubles.  There just isn't enough room for Quitwhining Heather.