NR team remains red hot

Staff

Published Wednesday, June 30, 2004

By Jim Lutgens, Tribune Sports Editor

NEW RICHLAND - As manager Gary Churchill goes through the score book for the New Richland Reds, he says it's easy to see certain patterns emerge. One in particular stands out.

"Several people are hitting the ball a little bit better than last year," said Churchill.

It has helped the amateur baseball team to its best start ever, 6-2 in the 13-60 League and 6-3 overall entering tonight's home game against Blue Earth.

Although based in New Richland, the Reds draw players from throughout the area, including former Alden-Conger High School standouts Vinnie VanEnglenburg and Ryan Barnick and former Albert Lea Colonel Adam Berge. Churchill, whose sons Jason and Josh play on the team, lives in New Richland, and the majority of the players are New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva graduates.

Gary Churchill admitted surprise at the team's strong start.

"I didn't expect it," he said. "This is the best we've ever been in four years."

Most recently, the Reds swept a 13-60 League doubleheader from LeCenter, winning 8-2 and 8-0. It followed victories of 7-1 over Morristown, 8-5 over Minnesota Lake and 5-3 over Cleveland.

Churchill attributes the Reds' success to more than just hitting, pitching and fielding.

"There seems to be more of a mellowness with one another, more of a team spirit," he said.

Several players are having a strong season at the plate, including Barnick, VanEnglenburg, Tony Schlaak, Jason Churchill, Nate Vollbrecht, Dusty Reese and Josh Churchill.

"The guys have really picked each other up," said Gary Churchill. "One game one of them will be off, and somebody else will be on. It has kind of been evening out."

VanEnglengurg, Barnick and Mike Hullopeter lead the pitching staff. Berge and Aaron Gilliland have also pitched.

Against Morristown, VanEnglengurg threw a complete-game four-hitter, striking out 14 while walking three.

"He was really on the ball," said Churchill.

Vollbrecht, a graduate of Waterville-Elysian-Morristown, hit the Reds' first home run of the season against Minnesota Lake. Schlaak was 3-for-5.

The Reds have eight league games remaining.

"If we can win a couple more here, we can really launch ourselves into the Region 6 playoffs," said Churchill. "Right now, we're playing for home-field advantage."

(Contact Jim Lutgens at tribsports@albertleatribune.com or 379-3437.)

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