Since I Met You Baby

I have really enjoyed the new job here at the Mille Lacs County Times and the Milaca area in general. I feel like I could do well here, which is in part why I chose the Neil Young song "Since I Met You Baby" from his recently releases album "A Letter Home."

I met you Milaca, and I like what I've seen so far. I hope that I am doing a good job, and I'm honestly trying my best to be to as many places as I can.

Sorry that I didn't get this and the pictures up yesterday, but I covered Section 5A track all day. Both Allie Terpstra and Sarah Forker advanced to the state track meet on June 6-7 in St. Paul at Hamline University.

Anyhow there are several pictures from two home golf meets, sub-section track on May 20, as well as the final regular season week of Milaca baseball.

Milaca freshman Claire Mettling hits a chip shot on the 18th hole at Stones Throw Golf Course north of Milaca.

Haley Hoskins hits a chip on May 20.

Teddy Blenkush throws the discus at the sub-section meet in Mora on May 20.

Senior Olivia Wolbert smashes a fairway wood at the final Granite Ridge meet of the season.

Molly Banks follows through as her putt approaches the hole.

Ellen So tries to catch Rush City in a relay at the sub-section meet in Mora.

Josiah Forker in the triple jump.

Karna Terpstra breaks five feet for the first time. 

Mettling hits a drive off of the first tee.

Seniors Jeson Erickson (left) and Matt Cluraghty (right) run in the 100-meters. 

Milaca's Nick Wolbert makes a play in the hole on May 22 against Pierz.

Hunter Johnson takes a big rip at a chest high fastball.

Love Never Felt So Good

This week I chose the song "Love Never Felt So Good" off of Michael Jackson's new album "XSCAPE." It features Justin Timberlake as well, and is rocketing up the Billboard charts (it's at No. 22 on the Hot 100 as of this post). I enjoy the tune, and MJ is a legend. RIP.

This past week I covered the Granite Ridge Conference track meet, as well as Milaca softball, boy's golf and softball. Lots more of each in store for this week as well.

I can't believe that Cleveland was the No. 1 pick in the NBA Draft Lottery. Wow. That's all I can say.

Anyhow, I promised more pics for this week, so here they are:

A Princeton golfer tees off last Friday at Princeton Golf Course.

Milaca senior Jorgen Erickson rips a ball to the outfield last Thursday against St. Cloud Cathedral.

Wolves second baseman Gavin Mickelson fields a grounder against the Crusaders in Milaca. 

Noel Flor prepares to tee off at Wapicada east of St. Cloud last Wednesday.

Junior Alex Ploeger fires to first base last Thursday against Zimmerman.

Ploeger rounds third base.

Senior backstop Natalie Bernard fires to first on a bunt play against the Thunder in Milaca.

Bernard rips one of three hits on the day.

Emma Johnson leaps into the pit in the long jump at the Granite Ridge Conference meet in Milaca on May 13. 

I believe this is catcher Mike Garber taking a hack at a pitch.

Silver Line

Lykke Li's "Silver Line" is one of several strong songs on the Swedish songstresses latest album "I Never Learn." Ever since I heard her with Drake on "Little Bit" on his "So Far Gone" mixtape, I loosely followed her, and I have not been disappointed. She is pretty talented, and easy on the eyes too. 

Anyhow, mostly everything was postponed or on the road this week. Thanks rain. I did make it to a softball game on May 6 between Becker and the Wolves, so I have four pictures from that. 

I promise that more pictures will be on their way next week. 

One quick little tangent. I think that the Vikings did a pretty good job at the draft for the second year in a row. I was pretty happy with the Bridgewater pick, but mainly because anybody is better than Matt Cassell. Anthony Barr could fill in the Jared Allen-sized void on the defensive line too. 

The most intriguing pick I thought was taking RB/QB Jerick McKinnon from Georgia Southern. He feels on first look like he could be a strong returner and/or Darren Sproles-esque playmaker, if not even a third down back. 

That would be great for the Vikings to compliment Peterson. I sure hope the kids works out. 

Whoops. I have another tangent. Go Blackhawks. I was pumped when they took down the Wild. Back-to-back Stanley Cups are around the corner. I will say that I also very much enjoyed watching the Wild these playoffs, and was very surprised how well they did against Kane an company. 

Anyway, here are the pictures enjoy. 

Milaca junior Alex Ploeger tosses the ball to second base for an out on  May 6 against Becker.

Ploeger tags up on a pop fly while on third base.

Ploeger slides safely into home on a sacrifice fly.

Kaylee Rothanburg puts down a bunt against Becker on May 6 at Sod Field in Milaca. 

Fever

On occasion I like to highlight new music on this blog. Today  is one of those occasions. The Black Keys' new album "Turn Blue" is set to come out next week, and their recently released single is titled "Fever." Though it did not blow me away, it was a solid track from what I expect to be another good album.

Anyhow, I am still settling into things here. May 1, I covered a baseball doubleheader between Milaca and Little Falls. On Friday I attended a Milaca/Zimmerman softball game in Zimmerman. On Friday morning I was out at Stone's Throw Golf Course to take in a few holes of the Milaca girls golf team's 6-6-6 tournament. Lastly, on Saturday I did double duty by covering the 21st Runnin' in the Ruff in the morning, and then the Milaca High Prom on Saturday afternoon.

This week a slightly less busy week, which that started with a softball double header last night. I will cover girls golf tomorrow (weather permitting) and some baseball on Monday night.

Anyhow, I have some pictures to share from last week's events. Enjoy.

Milaca first baseman Nick Wolbert hauls in a pop up last Thursday against Little Falls. 

Milaca's Leah Crain tees off of the 10th hole last Friday at the Milaca 6-6-6 Invite. 

Wolbert takes his turn at the dish against the Flyers in Milaca. 

Brian Kiel fires from his shortstop position in game one of a doubleheader against Little Falls.

Kiel scoops up a ground ball.

Olivia Layton is the first woman to cross the finish line in the Runnin' in the Ruff 10k last Saturday. Her family is cheering her on in the background.

Makenzie Horrigan pulls back on a bunt attempt last Friday in Zimmerman.

Zimmerman catcher Gabby Antolak rests on second base after a time out to fix a third base malfunction. 

Horrigan takes a cut at a pitch late in the game on Friday.

Jon Hall crosses the finish line a full minute ahead of the second place finisher in the 10k last Saturday at Rec Park in Milaca.

Runners watch as the rules and route are explained before the race.

Ori Scherer rips a ball up the middle for a base hit. 

Welcome to the Jungle

I've begun a new journey in my life, which takes me much closer to where I grew up. On April 14 I began my new journey as a sports/schools reporter for the Mille Lacs County Times.
While my new office is in Princeton, my coverage area is in Milaca, and I live in St. Cloud. A little confusing? It is for me too. It means a lot more travel than I'm used to (I used to live, work and cover within the majority of a half mile circle).
However, I'm looking forward to all the challenges, and the rewards of the new position. I hope the readers enjoy this too.
The past couple weeks I have been dodging rain drops and cancellations, and have managed to make it to a few events. Two track and field meets, two softball games, a golf tournament and a baseball game. This week I haven't yet covered anything, but I hope to head to baseball and softball games before the coverage week is over.
My deadline is on Tuesday, and the paper here comes out on Wednesdays, so I will usually be updating the blog on Thursdays, so look for it then. As I previously did on my "gottaknowbouttineau" blog, I will occasionally post an opinion piece or two, but usually I'm just updating my work, and other things I'm involved in that have to do with sports (fantasy, pick 'em's, etc.).
That is enough of me slapping the keys for now. I have several pictures from the last couple weeks to share. As a reminder, these belong to the Mille Lacs County Times, and copies can be obtained by calling 320-983-6111.

Milaca shortstop Alex Ploeger fires to second base on April 21 against Foley.

Wolves pitcher Matt VanSomeren fires a pitch on Monday, April 21 in Foley against the Falcons. 

VanSomeren fields a bunt and throws to first. 

Makenzie Horrigan rips a base hit. 

Bennett Lerud taps a putt toward the hole on April 22. 

Ori Scherer pops up a pitch against Albany on April 25. 

Pitcher Brian Kiel looks on as first baseman Nick Wolbert fields a pop up. 

Kiel hammers a pitch to left field against Crosby-Ironton on April 25. 

Second base Rachel Airhart flips the ball to first base against the Huskies at Sod Field.

Paige Quaintance fights off a pitch to hang in the count. 

Milaca head coach Randy Johnson goes to have a chat with the ump about a call.

Pitcher Hannah Johnson grounds the ball up the middle. 

Ploeger tries to get an out at first with and avoid hitting a baserunner. 

Ploeger calls off her teammates on a pop up to short. 

Randy Johnson celebrates with Natalie Bernard after she hits her second home run of the season on April 25.