Mudhens ousted by Morris in 9C

A season that included their first Land O' Ducks League title and a No. 1 seeding in the Region 9A playoffs ended abruptly for the Minneota Mudhens on Saturday with an 11-1 loss to the Morris Eagles in Rosen.
The Mudhens finished with a solid 15-4 record, but had high hopes of reaching the Class C state tournament this season.
Minneota had 10 hits in the game, but it couldn't string them together in the same inning.
"Unfortunately we couldn't get the timely hits with runners on base," said Mudhens player/manager Tyson Sonnenburg.
Ryan Dalager made his first start of the season in the elimination-bracket semifinals. He was solid over the first six frames before tiring and getting touched for three runs in the seventh.
"He pitched great, but we didn't help him out offensively when we couldn't score him any runs, Sonnenburg said.
Ryan Beyer went the distance for the win for the Eagles. He walked one and struck out six.
The Mudhens were missing a couple of key starters due to other commitments in catcher Austin DeVlaeminck and third baseman AJ Myhre.
"It was a disappointing way to finish the season but it doesn't take away from the great season we had," said Sonnenburg. "I am confident this group will stay together and be ready to make a run at state next year."
Morris got a two-run home run from Mac Beyer and solo shots from Sam Kleinwolterink and Brady Jergenson. The Eagles amassed 12 hits with Beyer collecting three hits, while Brent Hansen, Cade Fehr, Kleinwolterink and Jergenson had two apiece.
Minneota's lone run came in the seventh inning. Peyton Gillund led off the inning with a single. Cooper Van Overbeke and Tate Walerius hit into consecutive fielder's choices. Brock Buysse singled Walerius to second. Ben Skorczewski then reached on an error with Walerius scoring.
Gillund, Brock Buysse, Austin Buysse and Danny Hennen had two hits each for the Mudhens.
There are now four teams remaining for two state tournament spots among the original 12 teams in Region 9C. In the winner's bracket, defending champion Dumont routed Madison to secure one berth.
In the elimination bracket, Clinton edged Chokio 2-1. Morris was leading in Clinton 2-1 when the game was suspended because of inclement weather and will be made up next Saturday. Madison will play the winner of that game Saturday, Aug. 13 in Rosen for the second state spot.

Morris 11, Minneota 1
Morris.....................................100 002 332 - 11 12 1
Minneota................................000 000 100 - 1 10 0

Morris hitting: Brent Hansen 2-for-5, run, bb; Cade Fehr 2-for-5, bb, 2 runs; Mac Beyer 3-for-5, 3 runs, 2-run HR; Sam Kleinwolterink 2-for-4, 2 runs, bb, solo HR; Ryan Beyer 0-for-2, 3 bb's; Brady Jergenson 2-for-5, solo HR; Dylan Rose 0-for-4, bb; Eric Asche 0-for-4; Jake Torgerson 1-for-1; Brandon Jergenson 0-for-5

Minneota hitting: Ben Skorczewski 1-for-5; Alex Pohlen 0-for-4, bb; Austin Buysse 2-for-4; Tyson Sonnenburg 1-for-4; Danny Hennen 2-for-4; Peyton Gillund 2-for-3, 2b, sac; Cooper VanOverbeke 0-for-3; Ryan Dalager 0-for-1; Tate Walerius 0-for-3, run; Everett VanHecke 0-for-1; Brock Buysse 2-for-4

Morris pitching (ip-h-r-er-bb-so): Ryan Beyer (W) 9-10-1-0-1-1-6

Minneota pitching (ip-h-r-er-bb-so): Ryan Dalager (L) 6 1/3-6-6-6-5-6, Jacob Hennen 1 2/3-3-3-3-1-1, Danny Hennen 1-3-2-2-0-0