State title times two

New Ulm, SE St. Mary's are champs in Class 3A, 1A

NEW ULM -- New Ulm and Sleepy Eye, neighbors in Brown County, became the Twin Cities of the State High School Baseball tournament Friday.

The New Ulm High School Eagles defeated North St. Paul 12-4 in the Class 3A title game to win the school's first state baseball title in 19 tries.

The Knights of Sleepy Eye St. Mary's staged a thrilling comeback to beat Menahga 9-8 to win the Class A title. After losing a 5-0 lead, the Knights scored three runs in the sixth inning to edge Menahga.

New Ulm's title capped a gritty run through the Section 2 AAA tournament and the first rounds of the state tourney. After losing in the second round of the double elimination tournament, the Eagles buckled down and won six straight games to get to the final game, including a come-from-behind win over Northfield.

New Ulm made it look easy in the finals. Dusty Fleck hit a bases-clearing double as the Eagles jumped to a 6-0 lead in the first inning. They added six more in the third and coasted the rest of the way.

St. Mary's had a 5-1 lead after three innings against Menahga, but scored seven runs in the fourth. Menahga led 8-6 in the sixth before St. Mary's scored three runs, with Randy Braun hitting game-winning double to score Dusty Mangen.

Senske, the winningest baseball coach in Minnesota State High School League history, reflected on his team's championship in front of hundreds of parents and fans late Friday night at Johnson Park.

"We're elated," Senske said. "It's been 38 years of blood, sweat, tears and toil, but the wait was worth it. I've never felt better. One kid said, 'God, this is a good feeling. Lets do it again next year.' The players showed a great deal of passion, heart, attitude and the bats were powerful."

Senske thanked the players, parents, fans and other baseball supporters.

"There has been lots of time, effort and money spent on baseball here. This is a baseball town. I thank everybody involved and keep sending us ballplayers."

New Ulm also won the Class A Sportsmanship Trophy. Senske said that was nice and his team has won that before, but it meant a lot more with the team trophy, believed to the first team state championship in school history.

With true New Ulm style, rousing cheers of "zicke zacke, zicke zacke, heu, heu, heu," went up as the ball park reception ended.