Gibbon-Fairfax-Winthrop is 2-8 against Springfield since May of 2016 but they'll have a chance to close the gap a little bit on Tuesday. The Thunderbirds will look to defend their home field against the Tigers at 4:30 p.m.
On Monday, Gibbon-Fairfax-Winthrop didn't have quite enough to beat Wabasso and fell 9-8.
Kaden Rieke was huge while hitting and pitching even without the win. On the mound, he pitched five innings while giving up just two earned (and one unearned) runs off four hits. He has been nothing but reliable: he hasn't given up more than two walks in eight consecutive appearances. He was even better at the plate, going 2-for-4 with three RBI, two doubles, and one run.

Layton Uecker-Hamre
05/05/25 @ Wabasso | 1 |
05/02/25 vs Martin County West | 2 |
04/29/25 @ St. Mary's | 1 |
In other batting news, Layton Uecker-Hamre was cooking despite his team's loss, going 1-for-3 with two runs, one stolen base, and one RBI. He is on a roll when it comes to stolen bases, as he's now snagged at least one in each of the last three games he's played. Another player making a difference was William Bastian, who went 2-for-3 with two runs.
Meanwhile, Springfield put another one in the bag on Tuesday to keep their perfect season alive. They were the clear victors by a 15-2 margin over Sleepy Eye. Considering the Tigers have won ten matches by more than five runs this season, Tuesday's blowout was nothing new.
Like Gibbon-Fairfax-Winthrop, Springfield also got a great game from a two-way player: Noah Neperman. He looked comfortable on the mound, tossing three innings while giving up no earned runs off two hits. Neperman was also solid in the batter's box, going 2-for-4 with one triple and two RBI. That triple marked the first that he has hit this season.
In other batting news, Springfield got a massive performance out of Madden Lendt, who went 2-for-3 with four stolen bases, two runs, and one triple. Those four stolen bases gave Lendt a new career-high. Kade Nachreiner was another key player, going 2-for-3 with one home run, three runs, and one double.
Springfield always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .559. They easily outclassed their opponents in that department as Sleepy Eye only posted an OBP of .318.
Gibbon-Fairfax-Winthrop's defeat dropped their record down to 3-11. As for Springfield, their win was their 16th straight on the road dating back to last season, which pushed their record up to 12-0.
Gibbon-Fairfax-Winthrop suffered a grim 10-0 defeat to Springfield in their previous matchup back in April. Will the Thunderbirds have more luck at home instead of on the road? Check MaxPreps after the action for a full breakdown of the game and more baseball content.