Fischer homer against Berenguer wins game

By JEN SEAVEY

Journal Sports Editor

FAIRFAX -- When Stark designated hitter Scott Fischer stepped up to the plate in Fairfax Monday, he was just glad to be facing former Twins pitcher Juan Berenguer -- he had no idea what would come next.

Berenguer threw two balls before delivering an inside fastball, a fastball that Fischer sent high to left field to land over the fence, knocking in the two runs that would insure Stark a 5-4 victory.

"It felt great; right off the bat it felt great," Fischer said. "I knew if you get something on it, the speed of his pitch would take care of the rest.

"I was just happy before the game to get a ball signed by him," Fischer said. "And I ended up getting a bat and ball. I'll keep it on a shelf and it will be a memory I'll never forget."

The starting pitcher for Fairfax had been Curt Sampson, a Hector businessman and part-owner of Canterbury Park who wanted to celebrate his 70th birthday and raise money for local baseball.

Sampson pitched the first six innings.

Although the home team put the first point on the board when Barry Folkens hit Blair Folkens home with a fielder's choice, Stark took the lead in the second inning.

Craig Schmitz hit a leadoff single and scored Stark's first run when Brian Mathiowetz also had a base rap. He scored when pitcher Myron Seidl's made it to first on a throwing error.

Seidl, who pitched all nine innings, is 48 years old, having been associated in various ways with Stark baseball for 30 years. In 1967, he played with Stark on the Jr. Bi-County team, and in 1974, he started playing with Stark in the Tomahawk league as third baseman. He now is the president of the Tomahawk East Baseball League and the Stark Baseball Association. In 2002, he was elected into the Minnesota Amateur Baseball Hall of Fame.

David Schroepfer added the third run for the Longhorns when he tagged off of Darrin Haala's sacrifice fly to right field.

Their lead lasted until the bottom of the sixth inning when Cardinal designated hitter Paul Hess ripped the ball down the right field line to the fence, sending Patrick O'Mally, running for Matt Rippentrop, and Jason Jacobson home to tie the game 3-3.

In the seventh inning, Sampson walked the first batter, then surrendered the mound to former Twins pitcher Juan Berenguer. Scott Fischer took two balls from Berenguer before knocking the third pitch over the left field wall for a two-run home run.

"I was surprised at the home run -- I think my jaw hit the plate," Fairfax catcher Matt Rippentrop said. "It was quite a bit of speed difference, but there was quite a bit of age difference too.

Before the game, he and Berenguer had discussed what kind of pitches Berenguer wanted to throw.

"I was calling all the pitches, and he never shook me off, so that was good," Rippentrop said.

Berenguer delivered the next pitch with a grin. He threw one strike before Scott Mathiowetz hit one just past Berenguer's glove for a base hit. He struck out the next two batters and gave up a hit to Darrin Haala before Craig Schmitz lined out to shortstop.

In the bottom of the eighth, Berenguer had a base hit that landed in short center, scoring Paul Hess to inch closer to Stark, but never got closer, ending the game 5-4.

Fairfax hosts Marshall today at 8 p.m.