The end of the Coyotes’ fifth season marks the end of two Coyote careers under the same name, Zimmerman. Yes, Brian and Keith Zimmerman are hanging up the cleats and scorebook, at least with the Coyotes. Brian, one of the founding members of the team and anchor behind the plate for years, now lives in Sioux Falls, and will be spending his summers playing ball there. Good luck sir. His farther Keith was the original, and only dedicated, coach for the Chokio Coyotes. Keith was instrumental in team fundraising, coordination, and the installation of the new lighting system. Fortunately, word on the street is that Keith will still help us with advertising and some administrative work. THANK YOU!

Nick Hervin will be taking over Keith’s in-game duties: batting order, pitching rotation, game management, etc. Keith couldn’t have made a better choice. Hopefully, Herv will have some help next year, seeing as he will certainly be needed in the field. Only time will tell. Until next year, thank you to all the community members, fans, and supporters. Be sure to take the kids out to a ball game whenever you can. HELP KEEP THE TRADITION.

Unfortunately the good times the Coyotes enjoyed early this summer came to an abrupt end in playoffs. Stormy weather put an unfortunate pause in the first game, played at home against the rival Walleyes. The delay put a pinch on the Coyote rotation, forcing both Aarvold and Westerman to be thrown in a losing effort against Wheaton. Furthermore, the Coyote bench was shortened when Justin Daly suffered a season ending fracture to his eye socket while trying to tag out a stealing Walleye.

The short rotation and Daly injury left Coach Zimmerman with few options to attack Dumont at their home field; the game took place just hours after the Wheaton loss due to the rain delay and Dumont schedule. Despite the rough and ragged state of events, the Coyotes put up a man’s fight against the top seated Dumont, but eventually fell 7-1. I will post official game updates with box scores once I get them from the Chokio Review.

Sorry, there are no pictures to accompany the game posts below. On that note, the Coyotes are looking for a photographer for next season. Anyone interested in following the team and snapping photos will be rewarded with access to the treasured Coyote team beer chest. Just need a decent camera and the ability to email me photos or post on Facebook. Interested or know someone who may be? Give me call or email chokiocoyotes@gmail.com. Thank you,

PS: Congratulations to our fellow Coyotes who were drafted and will continue to play ball this summer. Lee Aarvold and Nick Hervin were drafted by the Dumont Saints, and Mitch Daly and Jeremy Westerman were drafted by the Clinton Cards. Play hard fellas, Chokio is proud of you.

Chokio hitting: Zach Howe 1 for 3; Mitch Daly 1 for 3, 1 RBI; Arvold 1 for 3; Westerman 2 for 3, 2 RBIs; Justin Daly 2 for 3.

Chokio hitting: Howe, 1 for 3; Gramm, 1 for 4; M. Daly, 1 for 4; J. Daly, 1 for 2.

Jeremy Westerman pitched the first five innings, allowing no earned runs, but had some control problems and a high pitch count. Tanner Gramm came on in the sixth and we had the game under control, leading eight to two after seven innings, but Monte started the eighth with three hits, a walk and a hit batter. They scored four runs before Hervin came in and ended the inning, slamming the door in the ninth. Gramm blasted a three-run homer in the second. Claassen and Westerman each had two hits.

Chokio hitting: Moeller 1 for 4; Hervin 1 for 2; Gramm 1 for 3, 3 RBI’s; Westerman, 2 for 5, 1 RBI; Claassen, 2 for 4; J. Daly, 1 RBI.

Chokio hitting: Zach Howe 1 for 3; Moeller 3 for 5, 2 RBIs; Hervin 3 for 3, 3 RBIs; Brian Zimmerman 1 for 5; Schmiesing 1 for 5.

Lee Arvold, Jeff Kyllo, and Nick Hervin combined for a five-hit shutout over Morris Friday night in front of a huge, Chokio Community Picnic crowd. Arvold pitched six innings, allowing only four hits and striking out seven. Kyllo faced only six batters in two innings, then Hervin picked up the save, striking out the last Eagle batter.

Luke Schmiesing, Tanner Gramm, and Jeremy Westerman went seven for ten driving in three runs.

The Coyotes had a few injuries so only nine healthy players went down to Rosen Sunday afternoon. They played very well. Once again it was a good team effort starting with great pitching by Westerman, Hervin and Mitch Daly who, combined, allowed only one earned one. We cracked out eleven hits, led by Hervin going five for six, followed by our defense playing pretty well, making only two errors.

With a hot, heavy wind blowing in over centerfield, small ball reigned supreme on Sunday, June the 7th, in Chokio. Dumont jumped out to an early lead. However, Chokio starter Westerman pitched out of several early jams, keeping the game tight. With a successful squeeze and plenty of smart play, the Saints found themselves with a cozy 4-1 lead in the fourth. Chokio got crucial relief from right handed speed-baller Jeff Kyllo. Kyllo held Dumont scoreless while the Coyotes battled back in eight, nearly taking the lead after Finke was called out at home trying to score from second on a hard shot to left from Howe. The Coyotes threatened to end the game in the bottom of the tenth inning with runners at 1st and 2nd with one out. The crowd cheered when Scott Moeller blasted a hard liner up the middle, only to grown when Dumont shortstop, Hoffman, snagged it and doubled off Pitch at second. Then, the Coyotes succumb after failing to answer Dumont’s two runs in the top of the eleventh.

In fifteen innings of relief, Kyllo has given up only four earned runs, and has struck out twenty-three batters. Nick Hervin led the Coyote offense going two for four. Chokio hitting: Howe 1 for 4, 1 RBI; Mitch Daly 1 for 3; Tanner Gramm 1 for 4, 1 RBI; Moeller 1 for 4; Schmiesing 1 for 3, 1 RBI; Justin Finke 1 for 5, 1 RBI.

On a gorgeous Friday night, June the 4th, in Chokio, the Coyotes stepped onto the field donning 1991/93 CA Spartan state championship football caps in honor of a lost friend. On this special night, the circumstances were met with a dazzling performance by lefty hurler, Lee Arvold. Arvold pitched nine scoreless innings, striking out seventeen Appleton batters and walking none on his way to his second win of the year. His game was nearly flawless, allowing only four hits and supported by only three runs. The humble Chokio offense was lead by Luke Schmiesing, getting on the board in the second inning with a solo shot to left center. Scott Moeller came up with a big hit in the fifth inning, driving in two runs. Moeller went two for four, as did Zach Howe and Nick Hervin.

The Chokio Coyotes suffered their greatest loss ever this Memorial Day weekend. Luke Monson, team friend and instrumental supporter, passed away Sunday night. Luke always went above and beyond to help the Coyotes. He voiced pivotal support for the formation of the team in 2005 and was often seen grilling his world-famous pork chops at Coyote functions. We were all lucky to know Luke; he will be greatly missed. The Coyotes request that you keep Luke's family in your thoughts and prayers this summer.

The Clinton Cards edged out the Coyotes for Saturday’s home opener in Chokio. Looking at the stats, Clinton dominated every part of the game. Coyotes hit the ball well off Kyle Athey, but the Cards played flawless defense, holding the Coyotes scoreless in innings 2-6. Clinton knocked out seventeen hits, many of them bloop singles and seeing-eye ground balls. Windy conditions made things even worse for the Coyotes, contributing to 6 defensive errors.

The team showed a lot of heart making a hard charge in the last three innings, scoring 5 runs on Clinton ace, Mike Adelman. Adelman helped keep victory out of Coyote reach with a 9th inning solo shot over the right field fence. Offensively Brennan Van Epps, Tanner Gramm, and Nick Hervin led the team with two hits apiece. Van Eps hit his first homerun, a two-run blast over the left centerfield fence. This was not one of the Coyotes’ best games, but the team hopes to get back on track next week in Wheaton. The Coyotes play rival Walleyes at 8:30pm.

Chokio hitting: Justin Daly 1 for 4; Nick Hervin 2 for 4; Tanner Gramm 2 for 4, 4 RBI’s; Justin Finke 1 for 1, 1 RBI; Luke Schmiesing 1 for 4; Brennan Van Eps 2 for 4, 2 RBI’s.

The Coyotes came up big in Wheaton, besting perennial favorites, the Dumont Saints. With great pitching by starter Jeremy Westerman, some clutch hits, and good defense, the Coyotes held a 10 to 2 lead after 5 innings. Then, pitching flew south. We ran into some control problems, giving up many late inning walks and letting Dumont back in the game. Looking past the walks, pitching was phenomenal, striking out 10 of Dumont’s last 12 batters without giving up a hit.

Justin Daly made an unbelievable over-the-shoulder catch on a soft fly ball behind second base to end Dumont’s threat in the ninth. Leading our offensive attack was Brian Zimmerman going 2 for 4 with 3 RBI’s, followed by Nick Hervin going 2 for 5 and 2 RBI’s, and Justin Daly going 2 for 4.

Chokio hitting: Zach Howe, 1 for 3; Justin Daly 2 for 4; Nick Hervin 2 for 5, 2 RBI’s; Mitch Daly, 1 for 4, 1 RBI; Brian Zimmerman, 2 for 4, 3 RBI’s; Westerman 1 for 3. Our next game is at 6 p.m. Saturday, May 22, at home against Clinton. Hope to see a big crowd. Come out and have a hot dog or brat and refreshment. It’s almost as fun as seeing the Twins.

The Coyotes finished preseason warm ups last Saturday with a pair of wins in a double header. The wins came over Madison, 8-5, and Clinton, 9-6. The Coyotes dropped one game to the Ortonville Rox, 11-6, on Sunday, April 25th.

As college and high school wind down for the Summer, the Coyotes hope to improve numbers over Spring showings. The regular season gets kicked off this Saturday, May 15 against the mighty, mighty Dumont Saints. The game is at 7pm in Wheaton.

On Friday, April 2nd, the coyotes will be hosting their second annual Easter Fundraiser at the Moonshine Steakhouse in Chokio, MN. This year's entertainment is Electric Almighty - rocking St. Cloud band featuring CA's own Andy Schuster on lead vocals.

Food will be served throughout the night, but show up early for a good deal. See our add in the Chokio Review for details. Doors open around 5pm.

This is a great opportunity to come out, meet the team, have fun, and support small town baseball.

As always, please no underage drinking, drunk driving, or other forms of shenanigans.