... Indians, 11-0 winners

in 5 over Alden-Conger

By PAUL DUNLAP

Journal Sports Editor

MANKATO -- It was an excellent way to begin section tournament play.

Jim Eckstein and Ross Lendt combined on a two-hitter, and the Sleepy Eye bats banged out four extra-base hits as the Indians cruised past Alden-Conger 11-0 in five innings in Section 2A play at Franklin Rogers Park.

"Tonight's whole scenario worked perfect for us," Sleepy Eye coach Bruce Belseth said. "Jimmy Eckstein threw a 29-pitch shutout through the first three innings, and Ross Lendt did a nice job of coming in and shutting (Alden-Conger) down. So not only did we win this game and get some tournament experience on this field, our arms are still fresh and ready to go."

Eckstein faced the minimum nine batters in his stint, thanks to a Cole Deibele diving catch at third that led to a double play in the third inning.

"Defensively, we played well tonight," Belseth said. "We made some big plays out in the field."

Loren Havemeier, who had singled in the first inning, got things started for the Indians in the second as he laced a Vinnie VanEnglenburg offering for a triple to right-center, scoring both Deibele and Lendt for a 2-0 lead. VanEnglenburg would eventually be saddled with the loss as he yielded seven runs on five hits in 2 2/3 innings.

Sleepy Eye broke the game open with a five-run fifth, starting as Deibele doubled home Eckstein with the third run of the game. Lendt put down a perfect squeeze bunt that scored Bryan Weiss, and Steve Geschwind followed with a triple to right that plated Deibele. The Knights switched pitchers after Bryce Belseth's walk, but a throwing error by catcher Paul Scrabeck and a balk by pitcher Tim Fulton pushed the Sleepy Eye lead to 7-0.

"We were aggressive and took advantage of some opportunities (Alden-Conger) gave us," Bruce Belseth said. "We need to play that way at this time of year."

After Lendt sat the Knights down in order in the fourth, the offense went back to work. Eckstein started things with a bloop single before Weiss tattooed a 1-0 Fulton offering for a home run to left. The final two runs of the game came on a Geschwind sacrifice fly and a Fulton wild pitch.

"We had some kids tonight that hit the ball like they can," Belseth said. "I think, in tournament time, we're going to hit the ball well. Tonight was no exception."

Havemeier ended the game 2-for-2 with a triple, and Deibele was 2-for-2 with a double and three runs scored. Eckstein ended his three innings by striking out four and yielding one hit. Lendt also gave up one hit while fanning two and walking one in his two-inning stint.

With the win, the Indians (20-3) now face crosstown rival St. Mary's at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at Franklin Rogers. Park

"I love it," Belseth said of playing the Knights for a fourth time this year. "We're playing St. Mary's, but it also means we're playing in that (winner's bracket) game. Whoever is there is fine, because we're going to show up, too."

ALDEN-CONGER 000 00 -- 0 2 3

SLEEPY EYE HIGH 025 4x -- 11 7 0

W--Eckstein. L--VanEnglenburg. 2B--Sleepy Eye, Deibele. 3B--Sleepy Eye, Havemeier, Geschwind. HR--Sleepy Eye, Weiss.