With an 11-1 drubbing of the Zimmerman Thunder last Thursday on Senior and Parents Night, the Becker Bulldog baseball team claimed sole possession of the Mississippi 8 Conference Championship, the team’s first conference title since 1991.

“Tonight was really special as we were able to recognize our seniors,” Coach Brett Knudsen said.  “Fortunately, we were able to play some good baseball to clinch the conferences.  This has been a team goal since day one so it feels great to accomplish that.”

Becker set the tone early, scoring seven runs in the bottom of the first inning to race to the lead.

Sawyer Anderson was three-for-three at the plate to pace the Bulldogs, who also received two hits apiece from Kellan Graning, Reid McCalla, Mason Nevala and Peyton Cantin.  For the game, Becker batted .500 (15-for-30).

Graning went three innings for Becker, giving up just one hit, while Gerad Hanle came on in relief and pitched the final two innings, also giving up just one hit.  The combined to strike out five batters and walk just one.

Willmar

Last Friday, the Bulldogs dropped the regular season finale to the Willmar Cardinals, 5-2.  Isaac Guck had two hits to lead the Bulldogs, while Ethan Guck started on the mound and went four innings, striking out eight batters.  Josh Groskreutz went the final three innings, giving up just one earned run.  Becker committed four errors in the game.

Playoffs

Tuesday night, Becker opened the Section 5AAA playoffs as the #2 seed and downed the #7 seed Fridley Tigers, 8-4.

“Great pitching continues to be our backbone,” Knudsen said after the game.  “Kellan and Sawyer kept us in control of the game and we were able to scratch a few runs together to get the job done.”

Graning started and went five innings, striking out 12 batters and scattering just four hits.  Anderson worked the final two innings, yielding a pair of runs and striking out three.

Groskreutz, Isaac Daluge, McCalla, and Hanle each collected a pair of hits for the Bulldogs.