Fourteen long years of extra cuts with busted batting gloves, refining bullpen sessions, lifting weights in basements, running hills, career ending injuries only to come back, long distracted practices, pumping your last quarters into the batting machine, buying different bats to beat the slump, jumping fences to get some infield work in and “just one more soft toss” before the sun goes down and the Grays finally can call themselves “Champions” and “State Champs” after an incredible run of baseball all summer. Minnoka Grays 2023 AAA Champs and 35 plus Minnesota State Champions.
They say pitching and defense wins championships and we believe them after watching the Grays the last three weeks. During the Federal playoffs Minnoka earned the first seed by winning the North Division for the third straight summer and were rewarded with the hardest bracket – nothing was going to be easy. First, they defeated River Falls and former Los Angeles Dodger farmhand Dave Meyer with a 7-0 win. Jack Nelson and Billy Diaz pitched a two hitter. The next night they faced New Market and Matt Germar, Bub Lovas was up for the challenge as the game was zeros until the 5th inning when the Northerns scored two in the top, the Grays answered back with two runs of their own and some big time pitching from Alex Gonzalez at the end put Joey Olson in position to double and drive in the winning walk off run 3-2.
The following weekend it was the Bub Lovas show again and Lovas shoved his way to a complete game 3-1 win over the defending champion East Metro Mammoth. Lovas struck out six and kept the Mammoth off rhythm all game. The Grays punched their ticket to the second straight AAA Championship game.
The Wolves waiting to see who their opponent would be as New Market came up from the loser’s bracket. After a couple rain delayed days – it’s never easy – the rematch of Minnoka and New Market for the title was set.
Rescheduled to Red Haddox Field in Bloomington, Jack Nelson got the start in the Championship game where his career almost ended years earlier in a freak injury. This time Jack would conquer. New Market started out the game scoring in the top of the first inning, but the Grays answered back with two runs of their own with Joey Olson and Nick Larson each knocking in a run – from then on Minnoka didn’t look back. Nelson settled in and didn’t allow another baserunner through the next four innings. Michael Crane drove in two runs as well as Matt Johnson. By the time Bub Lovas came into the game in the sixth inning the Grays were counting outs. Dan Skog fielded the next five ground balls and the Wolves won 6-1 over New Market to claim their very first AAA Championship.
Champaign spilled, beer showers fell from the sky and everyone was full of hugs. The long wait was over. The Grays were champions finally after fourteen years of not so close calls and close calls.
Two weeks later the Grays pitching shoved again and only gave up one run in the 35+ State Tournament held in Luxemburg. Minnoka defeated the Burnsville Bulldogs 4-0 and the Mankato Twins 11-1 to advance to the finals, where they shut out the East Metro Mammoth 2-0 in the state championship game. The Grays’ pitching staff of Jack Nelson, Bub Lovas and Alex Gonzalez only gave up one run all weekend. Gonzalez led the way with a complete-game win and a save in the championship game. The Grays finished the historic summer 26-1 overall.
So many different players over the years; same gave their all – some didn’t. But most gave a little piece to what we built and hold today – the best team in the State. We thank them all and to our current players I give a full heart and appreciation to this dugout full of champs. Players who played for each other and wanted to win for each other. I’m excited to see what this group does next season and on.
Former Grays Ben Anderson and Shane Huston celebrate with the remaining original Lakers/Grays from 2010. Lars Larson, Mike Weyrauch, Mark Von Ruden and Tom Stephney. Not pictured Steve Cupryna.
