Hennen joins Chokio for state

Maybe it’s not exactly what the Mudhens wanted — but they did get a piece of their team into the upcoming Class C State Amateur Baseball Playoffs.

While they lost in the playoffs, their ace pitcher Danny Hennen was chosen to join the Chokio Coyotes as a member of their pitching staff.

Chokio went undefeated in the 9C Playoffs and defeated the Ortonville Rox, 12-2, to claim the section’s top spot.

Chokio chose Jake Torgeson of the Morris Eagles and Hennen to join them.

Chokio gets a first-week bye as league champ and will play the winner of the New London-Spicer/Howard Lake game at 11 a.m. on Saturday, August 25 at New Prague.

The state tournament is being held at New Prague, Shakopee and Jordan. Ortonville came out of the losers bracket to defeat Dumont, 6-1 — then stunned the Morris Eagles, 6-5 to earn a spot in the state and a chance to play Chokio for the Section 9C title.

But Chokio’s Nick Hervin continued his mastery with three well-pitched games in the tournament — including the tourney finale. Ortonville drafted pitchers Ryan Toelle of the Clinton Cards and Curet Shake of the Cottonwood Cardinals.

Shake is a former Ortonville Rox pitcher. As the No. 2 team, Ortonville will open the tournament at 7:30 p.m., Friday, August 17 at New Prague against the host New Prague team.

Hennen had a 4-1 record for the Mudhens during their 13-11 season. His Earned Run Average (ERA) was 3.96. Hennen struck out 57 batters and walked 28 during the past year.

He allowed just one home run, one double and 68 singles among the 70 hits he allowed.

He pitched 70 innings during the year and gave up just 24 earned runs. Hennen also played first base, where he hit .290 on the season with one home run. He can’t be used as a hitter in the tournament, just as a pitcher.