Minnesota: State tournament to start; Mr. Baseball finalists announced

Champions will be crowned in three classes; Mr. Baseball will be honored at Target Field.

By
Jun 16, 2010, 12:00am
The next three days are big for Minnesota's best baseball teams. The state tournament takes place Thursday through Saturday and three state champions will be crowned - one in Class A, AA and AAA. In addition, on Sunday, the 2010 Mr. Baseball Minnesota award winner will be announced.

Here is a look at some key elements heading into the 2010 state tournament:

Of the three classes, there is only one team that will have a chance to repeat as a state champion - La Crescent in Class AA.

La Crescent enters the state tournament with a 22-4 record and will open against a familiar foe - Section 8 champion Fergus Falls (18-7) - the team La Crescent defeated (5-3) to win the 2009 Class AA state title. The Lancers have a number of weapons to lean on come state tournament time.

Austin Walleser is 8-2 with a 1.27 ERA and 74 strikeouts in 66 1/3 innings pitched. Troy Traxler is hitting .463 with 27 stolen bases, 31 runs scored and 17 RBI. The sparkplug at the top of the order is also 4-0 with a 1.14 ERA on the mound. Travis Kruckow is 8-1 with a 2.68 ERA and is hitting .400 with nine doubles, 13 stolen bases and 19 runs scored. Gabe McDowell is hitting .306.

While all three classes play opening rounds games - starting Thursday - at various locations across the state, the state title games in each class will be played at Target Field - the new home of the Minnesota Twins - downtown Saturday.

In Class A, the key storyline is the emergence of Deer River and Fosston - both teams are making their first-ever state tournament appearance. The teams square off in an opening-round matchup.

Fosston enters 18-5 while Deer River is 19-7.

In other Class A action, Southland (21-4) led by the pitching duo of brothers Chris and Alan May, take on Sebeka (19-5). Alan is 6-1 with a 2.35 ERA, while Chris is 4-3 with a 1.84 ERA. Alan, the team’s leadoff hitter, is hitting .397 with 44 runs scored and 24 stolen bases, while Chris is hitting .365 with three home runs, 28 RBI, 32 runs and 14 stolen bases.

In Class AAA, Eden Prairie enters the state tournament with the best record at 23-1. The Eagles are led by Mr. Baseball Minnesota candidate Matt Halloran (see below for more information).

Among the other players to watch in this Class are Rannon Arch of Rochester Mayo. Arch earned a save in four Mayo playoff wins and has not allowed a run in almost 15 consecutive innings.  Mayo is 16-8 and opens play against the Eagles of Eden Prairie.

It's also a big week for some top individuals players across the state. On Sunday the 2010 Mr. Baseball Minnesota winner will be announced. The Minnesota Minute Men (www.minnesotaminutemen.com), along with the Minnesota Twins, have announced these players as finalists:

- Chris Anderson, Centennial.

- Garrett Anderson, Blue Earth.

- Kyle Crocker, Brainerd.

- Matt Halloran, Eden Prairie.

- Colin Keefe, Woodbury.

- John Skrbec, Grand Rapids.

- Tom Windle, Osseo.

All are seniors, and include four metro-based players and three outstate players.

Crocker is considered the top prospect of the group, and finished the season with a .430 batting average, six home runs and a 7-1 record as a pitcher. Halloran, meanwhile, led Eden Prairie back to the state tournament, played outstanding defense at catcher and hit .338 with three home runs and 27 RBI.

“Awards like these are important to every facet of youth sports," says Matt Williams, Executive Director of the Minnesota Minute Men. "They encourage kids to work hard and follow their passions to the fullest degree.  Together, we will recognize them annually along with the coaching leaders in our state.”

State tournament notes

* Cloquet is making its first state tournament appearance since 1975.

* Class AA Eden-Valley Watkins is the only undefeated team in the state tournament - 24-0.

* Forest Lake and Stillwater are both from the Suburban East Conference - and meet in the opening round. The teams split their two games this season.

* All three state championship games will be Webcast live on 45.GrandStadium.tv and simultaneously broadcast on KSTC-TV, Channel 45. The Class A title game will begin at noon, followed by the Class AA championship game at 3 p.m. The Class AAA title game is scheduled for 6 p.m.