MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. (KTTC) – The Pine Island Panthers and Lourdes Eagles are conference foes, but for their first meeting of the 2026 baseball season, these teams were under the lights at Target Field.
Pine Island and Lourdes were the first of fourteen teams getting the chance to play on the same field as the Minnesota Twins.
“I’m playing under the same field as some of the professionals,” said Lourdes’s Owen Streefland. “It’s just an incredible moment that I can save for the rest of my life with all my family watching.”
The Panthers won the HVL Conference battle, 6-1, but both teams left Minneapolis with memories that will certainly last a lifetime.
“The Twins are very gracious and let us have an expanded roster,” said Lourdes head coach Dave Jenson. “Every player (grades) 9-12 in our program got to be on the field for infield and outfield reps, playing catch on the field, and their family sees that, and they’ll have those pictures forever.”
Both teams attended the Minnesota Twins’ series finale against the Detroit Tigers. Minnesota won the fourth and final game 3-1 to sweep Detroit.
“That’s what it’s all about at the end of the day, right? Wins and losses are great, but it’s not what you’re going to be remembered for,” said Pine Island head coach Dan Drazan. “I’m just proud of each and every one of those kids, and it’s awesome to see them have such a good time.”
One of Drazan’s players, Isaac Krueger, is a freshman. Krueger hit ninth in the lineup and hit an RBI single in the top of the fourth inning.
“It was definitely the best one ever,” said Krueger. “I had so much fun today. I didn’t have to go to school. It was a big stadium, and it was really cool to be able to play here. I played well, so that was great.”
Next Games:
No. 3 Pine Island: at Randolph on Tuesday, April 14, at 5:00 p.m.Lourdes: vs. Plainview-Elgin-Millville on Saturday, April 11, at 11:00 a.m.
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