by Dennis Dalman
After so many astonishing wins for months, the St. Joseph Joes baseball team ended its season on a high note, despite barely losing out on the chance to win the state championship.
It was their first participation in the Minnesota Amateur Baseball Tournament since 2017. That tournament is now in its 101st year.
After a Labor Day championship game, the Waconia Lakers vs. the Jordan Brewers, the Brewers won the Class C State Championship with a score of 5-2.
However, despite not winning big-time, the future looks bright for the team, said its long-time manager Pat Schneider.
On Aug. 18, in the first round of the Class C state tournament, the Joes defeated the Jackson Bulls 2-0 in Jordan. The Joes’ starting pitcher Joey Atkinson wowed players and spectators in the game, pitching nine innings with two strikeouts, two walks and only one hit. He was honored as the game’s MVP (Most-Valuable Player).
Then, on Aug. 23, during the second round of play, the Joes lost 0-3 to the Buffalo Bulldogs in Belle Plaine – thus they could not compete during the last and final round that took place on the Labor Day weekend in Green Isle.
Thirty-two Class C teams, including the St. Joseph Joes, participated in the state tournament. Since 1940, the Joes have played in 22 state tournaments – seven of them during the last two decades.
Manager Pat Schneider described the excitement of competing in the tournament.
“For most of our players, this was their first experience playing ‘in the show’ (state tournament),” he said. “The tournaments sites were in Jordan and Belle Plaine (third round at Green Isle). Just walking into those stadiums and onto such pristine playing surfaces was truly an exhilarating experience for us all.”
This season’s Joes’ team included veteran players with college experience and several young players fresh out of high school, Schneider told the Newsleaders. “All have seen success at the high school or college levels. As a result, we bonded well and finally accomplished our goal of making it to the state tournament – first time since 2017.”
Repeating that feat will not be easy next season, he added.
“So we must continue to add skilled players to our roster. Ideally, signing players from St. (Joseph) certainly would be best whenever possible. I do know there are several local young high-school players who should be ready to join the Joes soon, as long as they keep developing on their high school teams and potential college teams. So the future is bright!”
Schneider said he is happy there has been such a boost in support and growing interest in St. Joseph amateur baseball, which began in the city 104 years ago, in 1920.
“I can’t thank our fans and business sponsors enough for all their support,” he said. “Ever since the 2023 FOX 9 Town Ball Tour (television special), we have noticed an increase in interest in St. Joseph amateur baseball.”
Schneider was referring to a FOX 9 TV news team spending a day in the summer of 2023 where they interviewed baseball players and fans, broadcast a game from Scheider Field and treated TV viewers statewide to features about St. Joseph’s unique history, its businesses and its mix of townspeople and university students.
“With everyone’s support,” Schneider said, “we would like to keep improving our facility at Schneider Field and keep a competitive team on the field like this year’s Joes team.”
Managed by Pat Schneider of St. Joseph, the St. Joseph Joes include the following players (in alphabetical order): Andy Ahlschlager, infielder; Ben Alvord, infielder; Charlie Atkinson, infielder/pitcher; Joey Atkinson, infielder/pitcher; Isaac Benesh, pitcher; Brandon Bissett, outfielder; Noah Bissett, outfielder; Brandon Bloch, infielder; Tanner Blommer, outfielder; John Huebsch, catcher; Peyton Joos, outfielder; Blake Kilanowski, pitcher/first baseman; Lukas Nyberg, pitcher/infielder; Andrew Rott, infielder/outfielder/pitcher; Jonah Schneider, infielder; Sam Schneider, catcher; Parker Schultz, infielder; Tanner Staller, second baseman/designated hitter; Kyle Taufen; Lukas Theisen, infielder/pitcher; Willie Willats, third baseman/first baseman; and Josh Wood, pitcher.
St. Joseph Joes player Noah Bissett watches the ball he just hit soar into the wild blue yonder during the game the Joes won against the Jackson Bulls in the first round of the Class C State Baseball Tournament in Jordan.
Grinning with joy, Lukas Theisen (#44) prepares to grab the hand of a fellow player after the St. Joseph Joes defeated the Jackson Bulls 2-0 in the first round of the Minnesota State Amateur Baseball Tournament (Class C) in Jordan.
With hoots and hollers and high-fives, the St. Joseph Joes celebrate their win in the first round of the Class C Minnesota State Baseball Tournament in Jordan. They beat the Jackson Bulls by 2-0. From left to right are Joey Atkinson (#21), Tanner Staller (#27), Parker Schulz (#3), Charlie Atkinson (#1), Lukas Theisen (#44) and Sam Schneider (#17).
St. Joseph Joes Manager Pat Schneider heartily congratulated the Joes after their win in the first round of the Class C Minnesota Baseball Tournament in Jordan.
