Spring Hill rode the momentum of last week's thrilling playoff victory into Greenwald this past weekend, earning their first Region victory since 2007 with an 8-4 triumph over Norway Lake-Sunburg on Saturday.  Thanks to a Lake Henry loss in the game before, the Chargers found out their matchup with St.Martin on Sunday now had a bid to the state tournament on the line.  Their dreams were crushed way too early though, as the Martins got off to a hot start and pounded the Chargers 13-3.  Let's take a look at the highlights.

Shawn Schoenberg started against the Lakers on Saturday.  Norway Lake-Sunburg was able to scatter some base runners, but for the most part Shawn shut them down, finishing with a complete game and striking out four.  The Lakers pulled within two runs in the sixth, thanks to a Scott Rambow homerun, but the Chargers tacked on a few insurance runs in the late innings to preserve the victory.  The offensive output was definitely a team effort.  Shawn Schoenberg, Jamie Terres, Aaron Welle, and Chad Spanier each produced two hits to contribute to the hit parade.  The big blow was dealt by Eric Schoenberg who crushed a three run homer in the 5th to give the Chargers a 4-0 lead.  Laker pitchers learned a valuable lesson that day: Fear the "Hawk" baby.  Shawn cracked a solo shot in the 6th as well, rounding out the power display.  Jamie pushed across some key insurance runs in the 9th, smacking a double off the good part of that bat of his as he drove home the final two runs of the game.  The Chargers celebrated the victory and took in the following game, which turned out to be a 21-0 blowout.  Preceding the game was a special ceremony for retired umpire Cyril Spanier, who received a huge ovation while throwing out the first pitch.  The fans and players cheered even louder when they found out he was not actually umping the game.  You the man Grandpa.

So it was on to Sunday, a matchup with SCL-south powerhouse St. Martin and a state berth on the line.  The Martins busted out the starting gates early, jumping out to 6-0 lead and eventually defeating the Chargers 13-3.  The extreme heat and humidity didn't seem to bother St. Martin one bit, as they knocked the ball around the park all afternoon.  Aaron Welle started on the mound, and was relieved by Jimmy Thull, and Eric Schoenberg.  The Charger offense had a few bright spots, but couldn't quite dig themselves out of an early hole.  Cody Eichers hit a two run homer and Shawn Schoenberg was 2-3 to lead the offense.

The stage is set for a battle next weekend against Lake Henry.  The Chargers need to win two games next weekend in order to clinch a berth in the state tournament.  Hats off to the town of Greenwald and its volunteers, as the first weekend of the regional tournament was a huge success.  The fans came in bunches all weekend and the beer sales were hitting record numbers thanks to the scorching heat and Charger Nation.  If all goes as planned Saturday and Sunday, they might break those records.  See ya Saturday.

(AP Sartell)