State champs: Little Beetles cap season with state crown

• Little Beetles

Contributed photo The Alexandria Little Beetles 13U baseball team posed with medals, trophy and banner after winning the Division B 13-under state tournament in Marshall last weekend, capping off a very successful season. The team also finished fourth in the USSSA_World Series in Omaha, Nebraska the week before. Members of the team include (back, left to right) coach David Hass, batboy Tyler Thompson, coach Gregg Thompson, coach Brian Fearing, (middle) Lane Berberich, Osakis; Drew Fearing, Osakis; Chris Leary, Alexandria; David Krivanek, Alexandria; Jordan Hass, Alexandria; Drew Winter, Alexandria; (front) Jordan Frederick, Osakis; Logan Steidl, Alexandria; Kaden Anderson, Alexandria; Jordan Karger, Alexandria; Bennett Schuneman, Alexandria; and Mitch Thompson, Alexandria.

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The Alexandria Little Beetles team completed a memorable season this past weekend with its second state championship of the season by winning the MSF 13B state title in Marshall.

A five-player pitching staff led Alexandria to the title with Jordan Frederick leading the way. Frederick threw 17 innings over the three days. He struck out 29, while allowing just 10 hits.

The Beetles won two games in pool play before winning three straight the rest of the way to secure the championship.

The win capped off a season that saw Alexandria go 31-6 overall. The Beetles were winners of five tournaments overall and finished fourth at the USSSA World Series in Omaha against the best competition from across the country.

Alexandria 4,

New Ulm 3

The title game in the state tournament this past weekend came down to a close one between the Beetles and tradition-rich New Ulm.

Alexandria jumped out early with a 3-0 lead after three innings. New Ulm battled back with two in the fourth and one in the sixth but could not get any further.

Jordan Hass came on in the sixth and struck out two to work a scoreless inning. He started the seventh on the mound trying to protect a one-run lead. Hass got the first out but gave up a hit before Frederick was called on to close the door.

“There was no doubt in my mind that Frederick was going to close the game if anyone got on base,” coach David Hass said. “He has been the rock of this team, and we were either going to win or lose with him on the mound.”

Frederick made sure they would win with him. He induced a fly out for the second out before striking out the final batter he faced to strand the tying run at second.

Drew Fearing led the offense with a 3-for-3 day at the plate. David Krivanek and Kaden Anderson went 2-for-2, while combining to score three of the team’s four runs.

Alexandria 7,

Minnetonka 6

The game of the tournament came in the semifinal round against a strong Minnetonka team as Alexandria came back from a two-run deficit in the seventh to record a walk-off victory.

Bennett Schuneman delivered the biggest hit of the season for the Beetles. With the score now 6-5, Lane Berberich loaded the bases with a bunt base hit in front of Schuneman. He came through with a two-run, game-winning single that sent his team to the title game. Jordan Hass also knocked in a run in the seventh to cut the lead to one.

“It was a huge win for our team,” coach Hass said. “I was so proud of how the team responded in the seventh. Having five guys all reach base with either a hit or a walk in the seventh and winning the game against a good team was very rewarding.”

Alexandria 8, Marshall 7

The Beetles started bracket play by jumping out to an early lead and holding on late against the host team of the tournament.

Alexandria took an 8-0 lead after three innings before Marshall started chipping away. That eight-run lead had all but disappeared by the end of the fifth as Marshall battled back within one at 8-7.

The Beetles once again called upon Frederick to hold that lead in the final two innings. He started the game but left after two innings. He held Marshall scoreless in his final two innings to secure the win. In four innings of work, Frederick allowed just two hits, while striking out nine.

“He has been unhittable over the last month,” coach Brian Fearing said. “Teams from across the country could not catch up to his fastball or tame his curve. His control has been incredible.”

Alexandria 15,

Kasson-Mantorville 11

The second game of pool play saw a lot of runs scored.

It was a trend that started in the opening game of the tournament. Ben Schuneman led an Alexandria offense that continued to hit the ball hard. Schuneman had three hits, while Mitchell Thompson, Hass, Drew Fearing and Frederick each added two.

Alexandria 29, Willmar 5

The offensive gained a lot of momentum in the opening game of the tournament against Willmar.

The Beetles collected 25 hits on their way to scoring 29 times in an easy win. Bubba Karger led the charge with a 5-for-5 day. Fearing was not far behind at 4-for-4, while Drew Winter, Schuneman and Frederick each added three hits.

That dominant performance set the tone for Alexandria as the Beetles continued to roll from there on their way to capturing the title and ending their summer with another tournament to remember.

Tags: alexandria sports, osakis sports, area sports, sports, baseball, 13u, state, champions, little, beetles