IRISH GAIN 1ST. WIN OF SEASON: In ugly fashion the Irish scored 3 runs in the bottom of the eighth. Two on a 2 run wild pitch, followed by a Jake Malz single. Malz recorded the Irish's first RBI of the season. John Jenness was 2 for 2, and was hit by 2 pitches. Jenness also had a very solid game behind the dish and is starting to look real comfortable in green. Bill Dunker was strong allowing a run over 6 innings of work, striking out 8. Tom Kreuser picked up the win in relief, pitching the final 3 frames.

IRISH FALL IN OPENER: St. Patrick's pitching and defense were solid but the bats wouldn't wake up as they mustered only 6 hits in a 2-1 loss in Prior Lake. 6 different players had hits led by AdamaAlmich's 5th inning double. He would later score on a  throwing error. Bill Dunker went 5 innings striking out five. Tom Kreuser pitched 3 1/3 solid innings in releif before giving way to Ryan Johnson with a man on third and one out in the ninth. A wild pitch decided the game. Kreuser takes the hard luck loss.

2008 IRISH PREVIEW: The Irish begin 2008 a little hungrier than the year before after failing to make it to the State Tournament for the first time since 2003. The Irish lose Mike Sticha after 2 years on the team. Mike played outfield primarily and when not starting was the first pinch running option. Mike plans on umpiring this summer. Johnny Johnson threattens to hang 'em up after playing for the Irish since 1993. The jury is still out as the weather gets nicer.  Phil Tisdel will defect to rival Lonsdale this summer hoping for a little more playing time on the infield and a few more innings on the mound. Phil was getting things turned around here after a rocky start. Matt Ambroz led the way hitting .357. He returns from his fresman year at the Univ. of Nebraska- Omaha some time in mid to late May, although he plans to be home for the opener. Wade Schuknecht hit .342 and Mathew Pexa .311. Jeff Bjerke took sole posession of the HR lead on the last night of the season. He finished with 5, one ahead of then rookie Luke Hanzel. Ben Scheffler was the only other Irish with more than 1 (2).  Returning to head the Irish pitching staff is veteran Bill Dunker who finished 11-2 with a 2.17 ERA which ballooned after a rough start in Belle Plaine. Dunker struck out 100 batters while just walking 15 and also recorded 2 saves. The Irish are exited about what they have seen from left-handed N.P.H.S. Senior Derek Bergstrom. Derek finished with a 1.74 ERA last season in limited time. Tom Kreuser returns after a strong 6-4 season and will search for consistancy. Other returning pitchers include Ryan Johnson who finished strong down the stretch, Jake Malz, and Dom DeLuca. The Irish will again be led by Monte Hennen.

DUNKER GETS A SAVE: By recording the last two outs Sunday night vs. Springfield, Bill Dunker recorded a save in Elko's 3-0 win. Elko plays a familiar opponent to the Irish in St. Francis Friday night. The game is at Norwood at 5PM.

IRISH ELIMINATED: St. Patrick held a 1-0 lead but Belle Plaine rallied for 8 runs and never looked back. Jeff Bjerke added a 3R Homerun in the ninth, but the rally fell short, thus eliminating the Irish for the 2007 season. Bill Dunker suffered the loss, his 2nd of the season, but was drafted by Elko.

ONE STEP CLOSER: It took 13 innings, but the Irish advance to the next round of Region 6C. It was a pitcher's battle throughout, Jake Scmidt and Justin Schliep, draftees from Prior Lake, pitched the first 12 1/3 innings, allowing just 1 run before giving way to Josh Simon who picked up the win. Mathew Pexa's 2B in the top of the 13th, back to back walks and a bases loaded single by Matt Ambroz produced the game winning run. Josh Simon's 2 out, bases loaded triple cleared the sacks, delivering the last nail in Gaylord's coffin. St. Patrick gets a rematch with Belle Plaine, Friday night @ 8 PM. The winnwe advances to the state tournament.

IRISH STAY ALIVE: Bill Dunker threw a shutout, earning his 11th win of the season, in a 6-0 win over the LeSeuer Braves.  Josh Simon led the way offensively for St. Patrick. He was 2-4 with a pair of doubles. Matt ambroz was 2-3 and Luke Hanzel capped the scoring in the 8th with a 2 run double.

IRISH DROP 6C OPENER: Belle Plaine defeated the Irish Wed. night by the score of 4-1. All the Tiger runs came in the 4th inning off of starter Josh Simon. The Irish mustered just 6 hits, but still had their chances to win the ballgame. The lone Irish run came on a 2 out triple by Josh Smon, scoring Mathew Pexa.

IRISH WIN UGLY: in a 10-8 descision, the Irish advance to region 6C. The game was ugly on both sides. Mathew Pexa, Wade Schuknecht, Craig Boser and Ryan Johnson led the offense with 2 hits apiece. Bill Dunker earned his 10th win of 2007. The Irish next play Wednesday night at 8 PM in Belle Plaine.

EXPRESS ADVANCE: Elko defeated St. Patrick 3-0 Friday night which give them a first round bye in Region 6C. St. Patrcik was held to 4 hits, the highlight was Dom DeLuca's pinch hit double. St. Patrick plays at home Sunday at 2 PM, in a rematch with the New Prague Orioles.

IRISH WIN GAME 1: St. Patrick won their opening round playoff game by the score of 5-0 over the New Prague Orioles. The game was a pitcher's duel until the 4th inning when Matt Ambroz singled in Jeff Bjerke to make the score 1-0. Ambroz would finish with a 3-4 night at the plate. Jeff Bjerke, who was also 3-4, hit a majestic blast into right center, his 4th of the season,  to make the score 2-0. The score remained the same until the 8th, when Luke Hanzeel knocked in a run and Ryan Johnson hit a 2 out 2 run triple to seal it for the Irish. Pitching for the Irish was Bill Dunker who yielded just 4 hits and struck out 11, en route to his ninth win of the season.

IRISH FALL SHORT DURUNG FESTIVAL: Phil Tisdel had his best outing of the season, but the bats were afraid, scoring just 2 runs. The Irish offense was led by Matt Ambroz and Mathew Pexa who each doubled, and Bill Dunker, who was 3-4. Playoffs begin on Tuesday night in Elko, vs. New Prague. The game starts @ 7:30 PM.

IRISH BEAT ACES: The offense exploded early, scoring 7 in the first 2 innings, allowing starting pitcher, Bill Dunker to cruise to his 8th victory of the season. Dunker struck out 6 over his 7 innings of work, allowing just 6 hits. John Johnson stayed hot with a 2 for 3 night, Mathew Pexa and Wade Schuknecht also had 2 hits. Jeff Bjerke had 3 RBIs and Irish rookie, Ryan Johnson, hit his first HR as a member of the Irish. The final score was 8-3.

ST. PATRICK FESTIVAL SUNDAY: The Irish take on the Londale Aces Sunday afternoon along side the St. patrick Church Festival Sunday afternoon. Gametime is 1 PM, players and fans are encouraged to meander up to check out the festivities.

FANS APPRECIATE HANZEL'S HR: With the score tied 2-2 in the bottom of the 9th inning, Luke Hanzel led off the inning with a walkoff HR over the right centerfield fence to lift St. Patrick to the 3-2 win. Ryan Johnson went the distance on the mound striking out 8 Sox batters, allowing just 1 earned run.

ST.PATRICK FRY MUDCATS:  In a game with numerous highlights, the Irish beat Prior Lake 14-1 in a 7 inning contest. Mathew Pexa hit 4-4, including 2 solo HRs and 2 doubles. Wade Shcuknecht hit 5-5, Matt Ambroz was 4-5 and Craig Boser was 3-4. Jeff Bjerke hit the GW RBI in the first with a soaring 3R HR to right centerfield. Bill Dunker moved to 7-1, pitching 6 innings.

IRISH ROUT O'S:  Derek Bergstrom picked up his 1st win in the DRS, going the full 7 innings in a 13-1 win over New Prague. Derek allowed just 5 hits, struck out 8, and did not walk a batter. Dom DeLuca, John Johnson, Jeff Bjerke, and Bill Dunker each collected two hits. Dunker and Bjerke drove in 2 apiece, but the big blow came in the bottom of the 5th when Ben Scheffler hit a 3 run HR in his lone at bat, capping the scoring.

BULLDOGS STOP IRISH STREAK: St. Patrick mustered just one run and played terrible defense, committing 4 errors, en route to a 7-1 loss at Union Hill. St. Patrick had won its last 6 DRS games. Matt Ambroz had 2 hits and hit the ball hard a third time. Dom DeLuca picked up his 1st hit as a member of the St. Patrick Irish, a run producing single in the second inning. Tom Kreuser, freshly back from illness, suffered the loss.

IRISH SWEEP MUSKIES: St. Patrick took the season series from the New Market Muskies, but it took 10 innings to do so.  Craig Boser, Adam lmich, and Ryan Johnson led the offense with 2 hits apiece. Bill Dunker picked up his 2nd complete game in just 3 days going the distance. It was his 6th win of the season, he struck out 7 Muskies.

IRISH WIN 8-1: Ryan Johnson gave up just 3 hits and 0 runs over 6 innings to earn his first win of the season, and the Irish's first win by someone other than Tom Kreuser and Bill Dunker.  Mathew Pexa, Craig Boser and Dunker led the hitting attack with two hits apiece, Boser had 4 RBIs. Pexa and Dunker scored twice.

ST. PATRICK EARNS SEASON SWEEP OVER MALLARDS: Bill Dunker earned his 5th win going the didtance, and handing the Montgomery Mallards their first home loss of the season. The hitting attack was led by Luke Hanzel and Mike Sticha who both had two hits and an RBI. St. Patrick travels to Prior Lake for a showdown with the Mudcats on Friday night. First pitch is at 7:30 PM.

ST. PATRICK LED BY PEXA: Mathew Pexa was 4-4 with 3 doubles 2 runs and had 2 RBIs in a 5-2 win over New Market. Matt Ambroz had 3 singles in the win. Tom Kreuser was solid on the hill for the Irish surrendering just 7 hits over 7+ innings before giving way to Bill Dunker who picked up the save. The Irish next play Wed. night in Montgomery @ 8 PM.

IRISH SPLIT IN GREEN ISLE: St. Patrick won its first round game in the Green Isle Tournament over Loretto by the score of 10-3. St. Patrick pounded 15 hits in the contest that was highlighted by Luke Hanzel's 3rd HR of the season which was a soaring three run blast. Bill Dunker pitched his way to the win striking out 7. The following day the bats were silent as the Irish lost to Litchfield by the score of 5-0.

IRISH SIGN 2 NEW PLAYERS: St. Patrick would like to welcome newcomers Derek Bergstrom and Dom DeLuca to the roster.

BATS AWAKEN OVER THE WEEKEND: St. Patrick scored 26 runs in the weekend sweep of St. Benedict and Veseli, including 3 homeruns. Matt Ambroz, Jeff Bjerke and Luke Hanzel  each hit 1 HR a piece. Tom Kreuser and Bill Dunker each collected wins on the hill.

MUDHENS FLY BY IRISH:  Irish pitching was the story as they walked 12 hitters in a 13-3 loss. LEading the Irish in hitting was Wade Schuknecht who had three hits and Jeff Bjerke who had all 3 RBIs. 

ELKO TAKES ANOTHER ONE: St. Patrick fell behind 2-0 after the top of the first and the Elko Express never looed back, winning by the score of 7-1. Bill Dunker and Jeff Bjerke led the offense with 2 hits apiece, with Dunker driving in the lone run. Tom Kreuser suffered the loss, despite pitching well.

MATT PEXA IS NAMED DIVISION III ALL-AMERICAN: In the inaugural D3 All-American voting, St. Thomas Junior catcher, Mathew Pexa was named to the 3rd team. Mathew is on of 48 players selected nationwide.

ELKO BEATS ST. PATRICK: For the second straight game the Irish were held to 3 hits. The only run came in the 7th inning when Josh Simon hit a leadoff single and advanced to second on an arrant throw. With 2 out and Simon on second, Bill Dunker hit a single to left, scoring Simon. Ryan Johnson took his first loss of the season.

IRISH TAME BULLDOGS: It was a pitcher's deul between Bill Dunker and Union Hill pitcher Matt Sticha, who both pitched gems. A scoreless game through 8 1/2 innings came to an abrupt halt when Jeff Bjerke hit a walk-off homerun, his second hit of the evening, to lift the Irish to a 1-0 win. The homerun is Jeff's first of the season. Dunker collected his second win, striking out six.

IRISH SWAMP MALLARDS: The return of Josh Simon and Mathew Pexa, who combined for 7 hits and a Luke Hanzel Homerun led the way to a 13-4 win for the Irish over Montgomery. Wade Schuknecht had three hits. Matt Ambroz and Bill Dunker also had 2 hits apiece. The team had a total of 19 hits. Tom Kreuser went 6 innings picking up the win and Simon capped off a big night with a three inning save.

LONG DAY FOR IRISH: A lead off triple by Bill Dunker went to waste and it was the begining of a long day for the Irish, as they lost to St. Francis 16-1.  Phil Tisdel lasted 6 pitches before a line drive struck him in his left eye. Phil is OK, and isn't expected to miss any time. He did, however, suffer his second loss of the season, allowing one run. The Irish mustered just 4 hits, Dunker collecting 2 of them.

IRISH DOWNED AGAIN:  The Shakopee Coyotes came from behind to defeat the St. Patrick Irish. Wade Shuknecht and Craig Boser led the way with 2 hits apiece and Matt Ambroz had 2 RBIs. Bill Dunker took his first loss of the season.

ST. BENEDICT BLOWS AWAY IRISH: The Irish were down early, tied it at two, then allowed 14 unanswered runs on Sunday, losing 16-2. Phil Tisdel suffered his first loss of the season. St. Patrick was held to just 3 hits, all of which were singles.

COYOTES' HOWL SILENCED: St. Patrick defeated Shakopee on Saturday by the score of 4-2. Tom Kreuser continued his pitching mastery picking up his third win, pitching 8 2/3 innings before giving way to stopper Bill Dunker who picked up his first save of the season. Leading the hitting was newcomer Ryan Johnson who was 3 for 4 and had 2 RBIs.

DUNKER HUNTS DOWN ORIOLES: The Irish won 3-2 on Thursday night behind the pitching of righty Bill Dunker who struck out 15 Orioles, surrendering just 5 hits,picking up his first win of the season.Tom Kreuser pitched a scoreless ninth and picked up his first save of the campaign.  Dunker was also 2 for 3 at the plate, scored a run, and stole a base. Luke Hanzel stayed hot as he went 2 for 4. Wade Shcuknecht also had 2 hits. Ben Scheffler had the Irish's only RBI. The other 2 runs scored on wild pitches.

SCHEFFLER HR SPARKS OFFENSE IN ROUT: The Irish trailed 3-0 after one inning and had two outs in the second when Bill Dunker bunted his way aboard just in time for Ben Scheffler's first DRS homerun which led to 13 unanswered runs. Wade Schuknecht had 3 hits, scored 4 times and stole 3 bases. Dunker also had 3 hits, stole 2 bases and drove in a run. Four Irish players hat 2 hits apiece and four Irish players drove in 2 runs apiece. Tom Kreuser picked up his second win of the season in relief of starter Phil Tisdel.

IRISH GET AN UGLY WIN!:  In a game that was a little bit like a circus, the Irish strung together a 5 run rally in the top of the 8th to get past the Warriors at Veseli. Tom Kreuser got the win by pitching 3 scoreless innings he also had a hit in the 8th inning which helped spark the Irish rally. Jeff Bjerke led the way with 2 hits and two RBI's. Adam Almich, Wade Schuknecht, Bill Dunker, and newcomer Ryan Johnson also knocked in a run.

IRISH'S SIMON IS NCC PLAYER OF THE WEEK!:

IRISH LOSE AN ARM: Keith Sticha has announced his retirement.