The Becker Buzzards 35 and over baseball team concluded their 2016 Central Minnesota League regular season with a doubleheader sweep of the Alexandria Classic Clippers at home Saturday.  Buzzards 10, Clippers 0 The first game was close until the fourth inning when the Buzzards scored 10 consecutive runs on eight hits, two walks and one batter was hit by a pitch to beat Alexandria.  The game was called in the fifth inning as the 10 run rule took effect. 

 

Jason Pfingsten was on the mound and was in complete command of his pitches allowing one hit and striking out seven Classic Clippers. 

 

 

The second game of the double header was a little more tense and exciting.

 

Becker scored one run in the first inning on a lead off double by Steve Newman. He scored on sacrifice fly by Craig Hern. 

 

The Buzzards extended the lead in the third inning as Hern singled but was called out on a Brian Kolbinger fielder's choice ground ball. Jim Schmitz tripled to score Kolbinger from first base and Deron Trovall singled to score Schmitz to make it 3-0. 

 

The Classic Clippers scored their first run of the day in the fourth inning and another one in the sixth inning to close the gap to 3-2.

 

Becker responded by adding an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth inning when Schmitz singled and was moved over to second base on Matt Steele's slow ground ball to the Alexandria third baseman, who's only play was to throw it to first to get an out. 

 

Matt Marquette doubled to score Schmitz. 

 

Since Pfingsten only threw five innings in the first game, he requested to start the second game and was obliged. He was later relieved by Brian Kolbinger in the third inning. Kolbinger went on to pick up his first win of the season.

 

“It's been an up and down season for us this year,” said Co-Manager Deron Trovall after the game. “We started out pretty good, then the injury bug hit us, we lost a few games then the last few weeks we've been playing great.” 

 

Trovall mentioned how newcomers Dino Diaz and Matt Steele have come in to help up them fill out a roster for a couple of games when player’s aches and pains kept them on the bench.

 

“Amos Blomquist has to be the most improved player,” said Trovall. “He had a hard time adjusting to the 70-80 mph fastballs and the off speed stuff that this league can throw you, but he came around the latter part of the season and is connecting pretty good now.” 

 

The Buzzards (6-6) next game will be Aug. 20, but they waiting on where they will be seeded in the 32 team MSMABA State Tournament. The first weekend of the tournament will be held at ballparks in outstate Minnesota, including Alexandria, Urbank, Carlos Kensington and Ashby.