By Tom Schardin, Staff Writer
The Prior Lake Jays put themselves in a hole in the first round of pool play in the Section 3B playoffs on July 19.
The Jays fell behind 3-0 after three innings to rival Shakopee and never recovered in a 5-3 loss in Pool B.
Fifth-seeded Prior Lake will try to bounce back on Sunday, July 27 when it plays at second-seeded Jordan at 6 p.m. The Jays will be at third-seeded Shakopee for a rematch on Tuesday, July 29 at 7:30 p.m.
Prior Lake will play host to Jordan at Veterans Memorial Field on Thursday, July 31 at 7:30 p.m. as part of the Lakefront Days festivities in the final round of pool play. Tickets are $3 for adults, $2 for seniors and $1 for students.
The top two teams from Pool B will go on to face the top teams coming out of Pool A (fourth-seeded Green Isle, top-seeded Chaska and sixth-seeded Victoria) in Section 3B semifinals, which start Aug. 3. The top two teams from there will advance to the Class B state tournament, which is set to start Aug. 14 in Chaska and Shakopee.
The Jays (17-13 overall) are looking for their first state appearance since 2001.
Shakopee scored three runs in the third inning, two unearned, off Jays starter Chris Swaitkewicz, who lasted six innings and allowed 11 hits, while striking out three.
Prior Lake scored a third-inning run when Adam Cross singled, stole second and third base and scored on John Somrock’s sacrifice fly. But Shakopee added a run in the top of the fourth to increase the lead to back to four runs, 5-1.
Prior Lake made it 5-3 in the bottom of the sixth inning. Tim Garceau doubled to lead off the frame and scored on an error. Sam Hoppe’s sacrifice fly scored Scott Geisler, who singled.
In the final three innings, the Jays never mounted a threat and never had a runner get past first base.
The Jays had eight hits in the game off Shakopee starter Tim Theis, who hurled a complete game, striking out four.
Ben Wartman had two hits for Prior Lake, while Travis Johnson and Richard White each had singles.
The Jays lost all three games to Jordan during the regular season, including a 10-0 setback in eight innings in their last meeting on June 27, so the task doesn’t get any easier. Prior Lake is also now 0-4 against Shakopee this summer.