The Becker Buzzards traveled to Belle Plaine to take on the LeCenter Braves in a Class B state semifinal game last Saturday. Buzzards 7, Braves 0. After LeCenter went down quickly in the top of the first, Becker jumped out to a big lead in the bottom of the inning with five runs.

 

Steve Newman led off with a walk and was sacrificed to second by Rich Petty.  Jason Pfingsten and Craig Hern each followed with singles to score Newman.  The inning continued with Doug May walking to load the bases.  Matt O'Neill hit a sacrifice fly to score Pfingsten and  Hern scored on a wild pitch. Jim Schmitz walked and Josh May singled to score Doug May and Schmitz.  

 

The score remained 5-0 until the bottom of the third when three consecutive singles by Hern, Doug May, and O'Neill plated two more runs to push the lead to 7-0.

 

That was more than enough runs for Pfingsten, who went all seven innings and allowed just one hit.  He struck out seven and didn't walk a batter.  

 

Hern was the leader at the plate with two hits and two runs scored.

 

Buzzards 3, Clippers 2

The win moved the Buzzards into the championship game against the Alexandria Classic Clippers  Sunday evening in Waconia.  

 

There weren't going to be any surprises in the game as the Buzzards and Clippers had already played five times in the regular season with the Buzzards picking up wins in three of those games and a tie in another.  

 

 

Once again, the Buzzards came out swinging in the bottom of the first when Newman walked and a bunt single from Petty put runners on first and second.  Pfingsten singled to score Newman and Hern followed with a single to score Petty for the early 2-0 lead.  

 

It was a good pitcher’s duel for most of the rest of the game and as the sixth inning commenced, Becker still held a slim, two-run lead. 

 

That was when the Clippers posed their first  threat.  

 

A Buzzard error and a double put runners on second and third with two outs, but Tanner Bakke picked up a huge strikeout on a 3-2 pitch to get out of the jam.

 

The Clippers weren't done, however, as they came right back in the seventh with a leadoff single, followed by a pop-up for the first out.  The next two batters each singled and a run scored to make it 2-1 with just one out.  The next batter drove in the tying run with a ground ball to make it 2-2.  

 

In the bottom of the seventh, Newman singled with two outs and stole second base, but was stranded and the game was headed to extra innings.  

 

The Clippers got a one-out single and stole second, but weren't able to score sending it to the bottom of the eighth.  

 

Pfingsten led off with a single and Kevin Krenz came in to run for him.  Hern followed with another single, putting runners on first and second.  Doug May grounded into a fielders choice for the first out, but Matt O'Neill followed with what looked like a game winning single down the third baseline, however, Hern was obstructed by the third baseman and after stumbling, had to dive back to stay safe.  That brought Schmitz to the plate with the bases loaded.  The second pitch of the at-bat ran inside and hit Schmitz in the hand, which forced in the wining run and gave the Buzzards a 3-2 win and a state championship.  

 

Bakke went all eight innings and picked up the win.  He allowed two runs on six hits and one walk while striking out six batters.  Pfingsten went 3-for-4 and Hern and O'Neill each had two hits.

 

This was the Buzzards' second state championship in the past three years, but this one was a little sweeter as the team had moved up a couple classes and had to beat some strong competition.  It was also the first state championship for many of the players as the Buzzards have added almost 10 new players in the past two years.

 

Buzzard founder Deron Trovall said it best, “This championship was a big moment for the current team, but it wouldn't have been possible without the efforts of all the past Buzzards.  It's just unbelievable that in our 10th year of existence we were able to bring home another championship.”  

 

Trovall would be remiss if he failed to recognize another key person in the history of the club.

 

“Co-founder Mark Kolbinger and I could have never anticipated this level of success when we started the Buzzards,” Trovall said.

 

Kolbinger echoed Trovall's thoughts and added, “I'm just so proud of the team and would like to give special recognition to manager Jason Baune whose leadership and calm demeanor set the tone for the team.”  

 

“It turns out that the secret meeting where he replaced me as manager was probably just what the Buzzards needed,” he joked.

 

Baune gave all the credit to the players and the Buzzard founders.  

 

“It was great to see the guys come together over the summer,” he said.  “Our pitchers did an incredible job and the many hours of practice really showed as our defense took a big step forward this year.”  

 

He also wanted to pay tribute to the founders of the franchise.

 

“I'd also like to thank Deron and Mark for all they've done for the Buzzards from day one,” Baune said.  “Despite some harsh words from Kolbinger a few weeks ago in the newspaper, I know that he will always support me as the manager and the Buzzards hold a special place in that big heart of his.”