by Dennis Dalman
news@thenewsleaders.com
For the third consecutive year, the Sartell Muskies are heading for the Class C State Amateur Baseball Championship playoff games.
The team nabbed the state championship last year.
On Aug. 10, the Muskies won the regional championship at Hinckley. In that weekend and the one before, they played five games and won four. Now the Muskies are in the top seed after winning over Hinckley and Mora.
The Muskies will play Belle Plaine in Belle Plaine at 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 23. Then, if they win that game, they will play the winner of the Detroit Lakes vs. Belle Plaine game at 11 a.m. in Belle Plaine Saturday, Aug. 30.
The Muskies need to win five games to cinch the state championship.
“I’m confident even though we’re a bit banged-up,” said Randy Beckstrom, Muskies manager, who explained pitcher Dave Deminsky has recently suffered some back problems, which leaves the other pitcher, Adam Wenker, to face performance pressure. “Yes, there’s some injuries on the team, but I think after our (winning) experience of last year, we’ll go into it with confidence.”
The Sartell Muskies have a season record of 25-5.
contributed photo
At the Class C Regional Play-Offs in Hinckley, Sartell Muskies slugger Tim Burns winds up to hit what would be a three-run homer, scoring runs for Adam Wenker, Andrew Deters and himself.
contributed photo
Sartell Muskies Manager Randy Beckstrom (left) accepts the regional play-offs trophy after winning in Hinckley.
contributed photo
Shortly after winning the first-place regional trophy in Hinckley, the Sartell Muskies line up for a happy team photo. From left to right (kneeling) are Shawn Schoen, Travis Weaver, Jake Sweeter, Jase Otto, Luke Sweeter, Andrew Deters and Brian Schellinger; (back row, standing) Chad Schwegel, Randy Beckstrom (team manager), Dave Deminsky, Cody Partch, Tim Burns, Grant Mackenthun, Adam Wenker, Tony Schmitz, Dan O’Connell and Boone Lewellyn.
