Sander slings one-hitter for Chargers

By JEREMY BEHNKE

Journal Sports Writer

WELLCOME -- Minnesota Valley Lutheran pitcher Ryan Sander limited Martin County West to just one hit -- a lead-off hit by Jayden Grupe -- and the Chargers bats continued to stay hot as MVL defeated the Mavericks 10-0 in six innings Thursday in Section 2AA baseball.

Sander struck out seven and allowed only two baserunners in the game.

"After that hit, I thought they were going to hit the ball and come out swinging," Sander said.

The win, coupled with St. Peter's win over top-seeded Maple River, means the Chargers will host the Saints at 5 p.m. Thursday.

Sander's defense also played great, committing only one error.

"I'm feeling great," Sander said. "The defense is playing so good, I'm not even worried about them making an error. I just keep throwing strikes and they do the rest for me."

The Chargers took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first after Andy Beilke's bunt single. He stole second and scored when Tyler Morgan hit a long double to right that landed near the line.

In the third inning, MVL tacked on three more after Jason Costello doubled in Beilke and Tyler Morgan, making it 4-0.

"Everyone through the order is hitting, so its not like the first four guys get on and we don't have any hope," Sander said. "Everyone's contributing, so we don't have to worry about that either."

Sander helped himself out in the fourth with a single. Courtesy runner Oren Struck replaced Sander at third and scored on Phil Holz' single to up the lead to 5-0.

"That was the key," MVL coach Jeff Schoenherr said. "We were getting guys in scoring position, and we had guys come through for us, and that's huge."

After Costello scored the game's sixth run on a Sander RBI in the fifth inning, the Chargers scored four more runs in the top of the sixth to put the Mavericks away.

Holz, the number nine hitter, walked and took second on an error at second base, allowing Sam Mielke to reach first safely on the fielders choice. Jeremy Birr walked to load the bases, and Dusty Lendt doubled to the gap in left-center, scoring Holz and Mielke and giving the Chargers an 8-0 lead.

"We're strong all the way through the lineup now," Schoenherr said. "Everyone's coming up to the plate with confidence right now. Defensively, there isn't a weak spot right now. Everyone's playing with a lot of confidence, and that's what's big right now."

After Lendt's double, MCW replaced Grupe with Tyler Brolsma on the hill and Brolsma balked in Birr.

Morgan hit a deep fly ball to the wall in left, enough to score Lendt from third for the game's 10th run.

MVL (15-7) hosts St. Peter in a Section 2AA playoff game Thursday. MVL's 15 wins is the most in school history.