The Becker Buzzards men’s amateur baseball team opened up the MSMABA state tournament Saturday afternoon with a big, 8-0 win over the Vadnais Heights Jayhawks.
Jason Pfingsten went the distance on the mound, taking a perfect game into the sixth inning when the Jayhawks eked out a single with two outs.
“Jason, as usual, was commanding and struck out ten batters in the game, including retiring the side in the third inning,” said Buzzard Co-Manager Mark Kolbinger. “He only had one three-ball count in the entire game. The Jayhawks ended the game with three hits, but never really had a scoring chance.”
Becker’s offense was much improved over the regular season, capturing seven hits and eight runs. The Buzzards posted one run in the first, three in the second and four in the sixth inning to take the easy win.
Jason Baune opened the game with a double and stole third base. When the catcher’s throw to the base went wide, Baune scored the first run for the Buzzards.
Baune finished the game with a pair of hits and three stolen bases, while Pfingsten also had a pair of hits.
Pfingsten and Matt O’Neill each had big run-scoring doubles in the sixth inning with two outs to bolster the offense.
“Our at-bats with runners in scoring position were better than they have been,” said Kolbinger.
Buzzards 3, Bats 1
Sunday, the Buzzards had an early trip to St. Peter and were able to come away with a two-run win over the Twin Cities Bats.
Matt Eigen pitched six strong innings of one run ball before giving way to Pfingsten for the save in the seventh inning.
Eigen scattered four hits and got stronger as the game went on. The Bats’ only run came in the third inning on a hit and an error.
“Our defense played extremely well,” said Kolbinger.
Pfingsten also had an unbelievable dive and throw out from the shortstop position in the fifth inning.
Baune again performed well at leadoff, scoring in the top of the first inning on a Mike Doetkott groundout.
The Buzzards added a pair of runs in the sixth, as Baune and O’Neill plated runs on a hit by Pfingsten.
The two wins set up a game in Waconia against Edina at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, followed by a game in Cologne Sunday.
A Buzzards win would mean they would play for the championship later on Sunday.
