The Pirates’ Cody Sukalski slides safely into third base during the third inning of Blue Earth’s game versus Waseca.

With wins over the Austin Greyhounds on June 16, and the North Mankato Gators on June 18, the Blue Earth Pirates had extended their winning streak to six games.

They took on the league-leading Waseca Braves on June 21, in Blue Earth, in an effort to get their seventh win in a row, but had their winning streak snapped when the Braves triumphed over the Pirates 10-0 in seven innings.

With Kade Hobbs on the mound for Blue Earth, Waseca scored two runs in each of the first three innings.

The Braves plated two runs on three hits in the top of the first inning. Two hits and a Pirates’ error allowed the visiting team to add two more runs to their total in the top of the second inning.

Waseca used three more hits in the third inning to score two more runs and take a 6-0 lead.

Blue Earth threatened in the bottom of the second inning. With two outs, Blake Boran reached first base on a Waseca error and hustled to third base when TJ Stallman hit a double to the gap in left-center field. The Braves shut down the rally and Boran and Stallman were left stranded on base.

The Pirates threatened again in the bottom of the third inning when Cody Sukalski singled and advanced to third on a single to right field by Brandyn Olsen. Once again, both runners were left stranded on the base paths.

Hobbs was charged with the loss after pitching three innings. Ryan Vereide relieved Hobbs and pitched two scoreless innings before giving up three runs in the top of the sixth inning. Kane Malo pitched the seventh inning and gave up one run.

The Braves improved their record to 10-1 while the Pirates’ record stands at 6-6.

After playing host to the Waterville Indians on Saturday, June 24, the Pirates traveled to Eagle Lake to take on the Expos on June 25. Look for results of those games in next week’s edition of the Faribault County Register.

Blue Earth will be home again for afternoon games on July 8, against Wells, and July 9, when they host Eagle Lake. Both games are set to begin at 2 p.m.