The Becker Buzzards men’s baseball team began their ninth year of competition with a doubleheader Saturday at Alexandria to take on the Classic Clippers.

 

The Buzzards opened their season on a high note, beating the Classic Clippers by three behind some timely hitting and the usual excellent pitching performance from Jason Pfingsten.  The right-hander went the distance, pitching seven innings, scattering six hits and striking out four batters.  Just one run was earned.

 

“Overall, we played pretty well defensively for our first game,” said Manager Mark Kolbinger.”But a couple of errors gave them the majority of their runs.”

 

The Buzzards scored one in the first inning, two in the third and piled on four runs in the fifth inning to secure the game.  

 

Newcomer Steve Newman had three hits for the Buzzards while fellow newcomer Craig Hern and  Kolbinger each had a pair of hits.

 

 

In the second game, Becker fell by 10 runs as their bats fell silent, garnering just seven hits.

 

Newman again led the offense with a pair of hits as he moved to the number two spot in the lineup.  Matt Eigen started on the mound and took the loss, going five innings and giving up nine hits.

 

Newman pitched the final inning after starting the game at catcher.

 

“We are excited with the start of our season and especially the new blood on the team,” said Kolbinger.  “In addition to Hern and Newman, Amos Blomquist turned 35 and has been waiting to play for us for several years.

 

It's good to have some new players who are excited to don the black and red.”

 

Becker is at home Sunday as they take on the Cold Spring Silver Springers.