By DALE KUGATH
Scoop Sports Editor

MANKATO  - A pair of seventh-inning runs was enough for Morristown right-hander Rich Rients.

Rients hurled a four-hit gem for the Morries, sparking them to an upset 3-2 triumph over the Mankato Cubs in the opening 13-60 Blue Division Playoffs at Mankato July 25.

The two teams had split during the regular season. Morristown won 4-3 and Mankato captured a 4-1 victory. The Cubs tied Minnesota Lake for first place in the Blue Division.

Morristown captured its second win without a loss in the playoffs and climbed to 10-11 for the year.

Brent Vollbrecht delivered an RBI single in the opening inning to give the Morries an early 1-0 lead.

However, the Cubs knotted the score in the bottom of the first. J.J. Cattrysse smacked a run-scoring double after Chris Ward reached base on an error.

The Morries had a chance to do some damage in the fourth inning, putting runners on second and third with no one out. But, Mankato pitcher David Talamantez retired the next three hitters without allowing a run to score.

The Cubs grabbed a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the fourth inning. David Gullixson led off with a double and hustled home on a Noah Hobbs' base hit.

Morristown made its move in the seventh inning. A walk and a base hit drove Talamantez from the mound, bringing in Cattrysse. Vollbrecht came through with a two-run single and that was all Rients needed. He held Mankato to three hits over the final five innings.

Rients hurled the complete game, holding the Cubs to one earned run and four hits. He walked one and struck out nine.

Talamantez pitched six-plus innings, allowing three runs and striking out two.

Cattrysse did not allow a run the rest of the way, giving up two hits.

Brent Vollbrecht and Rients led Morristown's offense with two hits apiece. Vollbrecht drove in all three runs.

Josh Vollbrecht was the only other player to get a hit for the Morries.

Morristown survived four errors and nine stranded base runners.

Mankato committed three miscues and left six runners on the bases.

Morristown dropped into the loser's bracket when it loss to Waterville Sunday.