Gold riding streak into Legion tourney

By JIM BASTIAN

Journal Sports Writer

NEW ULM -- New Ulm Legion Gold will ride an eight-game winning streak and a 19-12 record into the Minnesota American Legion Baseball Tournament today when they tangle with the Rochester A's.

The game time is 1:30 p.m. and will be played at a field in Hermantown. The park is located at Ugstad and Maple Grove Road.

New Ulm coach Dave Kunz said that Rochester, like New Ulm, is no stranger to state American Legion tournaments.

"They are a pretty solid team," Kunz said about the A's, who played in the Upper Midwest Classic this year in New Ulm. "They are a solid team hitting-wise one to six in the lineup. They didn't score a whole lot of runs in their district tournament except for their last game when Austin (the team that they beat in the finals) ran out of pitching. They also got some help from Austin errors and walks by their pitchers."

Kunz said the A's will "put the ball in play and they play solid defense. They have a veteran coach (Keith Kangas), and have been to the state tournament eight years in a row."

While Rochester is making its eighth straight trip to the statetournament, Gold is riding an eight-game winning streak, which began in the Detroit Lakes tournament when things began to fall into place for New Ulm.

"It all (playing well) started before that Detroit Lakes tournament," said Kunz. "But that is when things really started coming together. In our own tournament, we started hitting the ball well. It was just always at somebody. The kids worked real hard on their hitting all summer long and now it is starting to pay off."

One of the hottest hitters for New Ulm has been shortstop Joey Schugel, who finished the Second District Tournament with 11 hits in 14 at-bats.

"He has hit the ball well and he also has gotten some that have snuck through for hits," said Kunz. "But the majority of them have been well-hit balls. He has settled in well in the order and (he) drove in runs."

Kunz said he will start Ryan Wellmann against Rochester. "Both Ryan (Wellmann) and Ryan (Walters) have been consistent all season," Kunz said. "Ryan Walters has probably been more consistent when he has been able to throw. He has had arm problems, but now is healthy. I think that he just had a little 'tired arm.' But he has now gotten his pop back in his pitches."

Another player who has done a great job this season for Gold has been catcher Mitch Stueber. Stueber was primarity a first baseman this season for New Ulm High.

"He caught for me last year and did another good job again this season," Kunz said.

One think that has helped Gold is that New Ulm's pitching staff has given up only one walk, that coming in the district finals against Blue Earth with two out.

"We need to keep that kind of effort up all tournament," said Kunz.