Early lead, Heck's two-run bomb not enough to overcome Saints

Chester Bird grabbed a two-run lead and Jimmy Heck hit a game-tying two-run home run in the fifth inning but it wasn't enough to overcome St. Francis in a 10-5 loss.

The Birds scored a pair of first-inning runs when Dan Labosky and Keaton Studsrud led off with back-to-back singles. Two outs later, Gabe MacDonald's base hit drove in Labosky with Studsrud scoring from first and MacDonald reaching third base when the ball was misplayed in right field.

After pitching two scoreless innings, Willie Falk walked five batters in the third inning, leading to a four-run third inning for the Saints. Scott Quinby worked out of the inning and went onto pitch four complete innings, keeping the Birds within striking distance of the visitors.

Trailing 5-2 in the fourth inning, Chester Bird got one run back when Matt Ambre reached first base when a called third strike got away from St. Francis catcher Brandon Holtzberg. He moved to second on another passed ball and scored one out later on Robby Sutherland's base hit through the middle.

In the fifth inning, Labosky led off with a ground-rule double to center field and, one out later, Heck hit a two-run home run to center field to tie the game.

Quinby began to labor in the sixth inning, his fourth inning of work, and St. Francis reached him for a pair of runs and Dan Labosky came on to pitch the final inning of the game.

The Birds return to South Hennepin League action, Tuesday, when they face St. Louis Park at Dakota Park. Game time is slated for 6 p.m.