Mankato edges Kaiserhoff

'Kato Twins go to state tourney

By FRITZ BUSCH

Journal Staff Writer

MANKATO -- Kaiserhoff center fielder Josh Hinson ripped the first pitch of the game over the left field fence.

After that, New Ulm hits were at a premium as Mankato pitcher Joe Kern settled down and struck out 13 in a four-hitter. The 22-6 Twins clinched a spot in the Minnesota Class B Amateur Baseball Tournament with a 3-2 win over the K Sunday at Minnesota State University.

Nonetheless, Kaiserhoff player/coach Brady Ranweiler -- who hit a solo homer in the sixth inning -- consoled his team after the game.

"I'm proud of you guys, more than you'll ever know," Ranweiler said in the dugout. "We're a young team. We lost a lot of one-run games. Kern did a good job today, he's a battler. He's a horse. When you have a horse, sometimes you ride it. Mankato will do well in the state tournament. Our pitcher -- Ryan Wellmann -- pitched well too."

The Kaiserhoff threatened in the top of the second inning as Landon Rathmann singled and Joey Schugel walked. Kern got tough then, striking out three consecutive batters.

Hinson led off the third with a walk and reached third base on an infield error before Kern fanned two of the final three batters in the half inning.

Joey Schugel walked again in the fourth but was thrown out trying to steal. Kern struck out the other two batters he faced.

Jeff Dolan walked to lead off the New Ulm fifth and was sacrificed to second base by Aaron Dolan. Kern got out of the game with two infield outs.

Aaron Dolan walked and went to third base on Hinson's double in the top of the seventh. Kern coaxed Lance Buck into an infield out after Buck worked him to a full count.

Brady Ranweiler walked with one out in the top of the eighth inning and took second on a passed ball. Kern escaped again with two outfield fly ball outs.

Mankato Coach Ryan Weller praised his pitcher.

"He's our horse," Weller said. "He threw seven innings on Wednesday and came strong again on short rest. He's been doing that all year. Wellmann pitched well too."

Mankato will face Waseca in a best of three series to determine the regional winner and runner-up for state tournament play.

NEW ULM 100 001 000 -- 2 4 3

MANKATO 000 201 00x -- 3 7 1

Wellmann and B. Ranweiler; Kern and Hove.

LOB New Ulm 7, Mankato 11. 2B -- Hinson (NU), Hove. HR -- Hinson, B. Ranweiler.