State Farm Takes Twilight Title

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MLB – Tigers Open at Houston Tonight
The Detroit Tigers had yesterday off, and open a set at Houston tonight. Alfredo Simon will start against Dallas Keuchel. Hear the first pitch at 8:10 on AM 1400 and FM 99.3 WCCY.

The Chicago Cubs chased Milwaukee starter Tyler Cravy from the game while scoring four runs in the fifth inning, and cruised to a 9-2 victory over the Brewers yesterday. Cubs batters blasted four home runs in the game.

The Brewers return home to host the Phillies tonight. Wily Peralta will pitch against Adam Morgan.

State Farm Takes Twilight Title
Throughout the regular season and during the playoffs, Wolverine-Orbit has been known as the “Comeback Kids.” Unfortunately the final comeback fell one run short as Dean Kangas State Farm hung on to an 8-7 victory and the Twilight League championship for 2015.

Both teams saved their toughest pitchers for the final of the three game series, but it was the hitters that ruled the game. Dean Kangas put two on the board in the first and another in the second against Wolverine starter Kris Turunen, who pitched into the seventh.

Wolverine-Orbit then made their first comeback with a run in the bottom of the second, and with three in the third found themselves with a 4-3 lead at home. That chased Owen Kariniemi from the mound and put Jay Daavettila in.
The lead only lasted till the next inning as DKSF when Kariniemi hit a triple and came home on a sacrifice fly. Daavettila then gave the Dollar Bay squad in the sixth, scoring on a bloop single by Scott Piettila.
Then came the wild final inning of the season. Dean Kangas increased the lead to 8-4, sending all nine to the plate and highlighted by the lead-off homer by Brady Turner over the right field fence.

But Wolverine, who scored three in the final bat to win game one, needed at least four to tie. The first three to the plate not only got on base, but scored and with two additional infield hits, the winning runs were in play. DKSF turned the ball over to last night’s winner, Jason Koski, to pick up the final two outs to get the save and the championship.

After the game the league gave trophies to both teams, Wolverine-Orbit, as the regular season champion. Luke Paul, from Wolverine-Orbit, was named regular season MVP; while Jay Daavettila received the MVP for the tourney for both his pitching and offense.

Lions, Packers Open Preseason with Wins
Matthew Stafford threw a 35-yard touchdown pass to Golden Tate, as the Detroit Lions opened their exhibition season with a 23-3 victory over the New York Jets last night. Stafford completed both of his pass attempts on the only possession in which he played. Rookie running back Ameer Abdullah ripped off a 45-yard run, and finished with 67 rushing yards on seven attempts.

The Green Bay Packers began the preseason with a 22-11 win over the New England Patriots. Aaron Rodgers completed 11 of 19 passes for 117 yards. Scott Tolzien threw a touchdown pass, and Alonzo Harris scored on a 25-yard run.

Finlandia Adds Assistant Women’s Soccer and Hockey Coach
Finlandia University alumna Ashley Pavlish has been named assistant head coach for the women’s hockey and soccer teams. Pavlish played soccer, hockey, golf and softball as a student at Finlandia.

Great Deer Chase Tomorrow
The Aspirus Great Deer Chase mountain bike race takes place tomorrow on the Swedetown Trails. The Chase includes 15 and 30-mile mountain bike races, along with 40 yard, three and five-mile races for kids. Online registration has closed, but on-site registration and bib pickup will be held tonight between 6:30 and 8:30, and tomorrow between 9:00 and 10:00 at Cross Country Sports in Calumet. Kids’ race sign-up is from 6:30 to 8:00 this evening, and from 7:30 to 8:30 tomorrow morning. Again this year, the adult races will start at 11:00 at the north end of Fifth Street, and proceed through town to the trails. The rollout will be followed by a parade of classic cars, and a kids’ bike parade. For full details, click here.