Valmeyer Lakers players served as groundskeepers during the Midsummer Classic at Borsch Park. Pictured, the grounds crew works feverishly to apply diamond dry during Saturday’s game between Millstadt and Cape Girardeau. (Corey Saathoff photo)

What turned out to be a blessing for local farmers spelled doom for the 45th annual Valmeyer Midsummer Classic baseball tournament at Borsch Park over the weekend.

Heavy rainfall totals were predicted for the holiday weekend, and the weathermen were right on the button this time.

The Waterloo Millers opened play Saturday morning with an exciting 4-3 win over the St. Louis Printers, as light rain began to fall in the final inning.

Millstadt battled Cape Girardeau, and the rain, toe to toe in the second game. But rain won out in the end, as play was suspended in the seventh inning with the score tied at 2-2.

Play never resumed Sunday or Monday, as continued rain and constant cloud cover kept the Borsch Park field saturated throughout the weekend.

It marked the first time since 2009 that the tourney was rained out.

Jeremy Rettig earned the victory on the mound for Waterloo on Saturday, with Corey Vogel coming on in the seventh inning for the save.

Garrett Schlecht provided the big blast at the plate, smashing a two-run homer for the Millers, who won last year’s Midsummer Classic and have 14 tourney titles to their credit.

Waterloo has a one game lead in the Monroe Division as Mon-Clair League play resumes this weekend.
The Millers, 12-4, will battle second-place Millstadt at SPPS Field this Saturday, with the doubleheader starting at 1:30 p.m. On Sunday, the Millers host Valmeyer for a doubleheader starting at 1:30 p.m.

Millstadt, 11-5, will host the Columbia Saints on Sunday afternoon.

Valmeyer hosts the St. Louis Spikes for two games on Saturday.

Columbia hosts Belleville on Saturday.

Waterloo is led on offense by catcher Lucas Wetzler (.404), followed by infielder Ken Wilson (.375). Nick Hummel is 4-1 on the mound and Rettig is 3-1.

Millstadt is led on offense by Cal Kossina (.459), Tony Kossina (.421) and Zack Skaer (.414). Otto Roberts and Cory Renois are both 2-1 on the mound for the Green Machine.

Valmeyer is led on offense by Matt Reinholz (.396), Jeremiah Bergheger (.362) and Wes Degener (.359). Andrew Bicklein is 3-2 on the mound for the Lakers.

Columbia is led on offense by Adam Henke (.375), Brett Jungles (.353) and Kyle Breitenstein (.343). Milton Pinkston is 2-1 on the hill; Johnny Lord is 2-3.

The Mon-Clair League All-Star Game will be played Wednesday, July 13, at SPPS Field in Waterloo with a 7 p.m. start. The Monroe All-Stars will battle the St. Clair All-Stars.