Dumont captures No. 1 playoff seed

Minneota got a scouting report on Dumont pitcher Nate Albrecht, who pitches for U of M-Crookston College, the same as Minneota native pitcher Henry Pesch.

"We got a scouting report from him," said Mudhen Manager Tyson Sonnenburg.

But it didn't do a lot of good as the Saint lefthander struck out 13 batters and beat the Mudhens, 4-2 Saturday to claim the No. 1 seed in the upcoming Sectioin 9C Playoffs.

"This game was for the No. 1 and No. 2 seeds," said Manager Sonnenburg.  "This is the way a game between the No. 1 and No. 2 teams should be," said the manager.

"This is right where the top two teams should be."

Danny Hennen pitched well, allowing just seven hits with just two walks; a hit batter and two strikeouts. But he was tagged for a three-run home run in the third by Erik Deal. The big first baseman took advanage of an error and walk as he put the ball over the centerfield fence in the third.

"Danny pitched awesome," said Sonnenburg. But the Mudhens uncharacteristically made four errors. As a result, none of the four Dumont runs were earned.

"You can't do that against a good team," said Sonnenburg.

Trailing 3-0, the Mudhens came back with a pair of runs in the fourth and could have scored more. Hennen and Austin DeVlaminck singled, Beau Buysse sacrificed them to second and third and Jake Leighton and Austin Buysse delivered run-scoring singles.

Leighton would have scored the tying run, but was thrown out at home after Austin Buysse's single. Buysse also had a booming double in the second inning but was stranded there.

Albrecht settled won despite five hits in that inning and got out of the jam.

Dumont added the insurance run in the sixh as Albrecht kept Minneota away from the plate the rest of the way.

Minneota is now 17-5 on the year and 9-1 in the Land O'Ducks League. Dumont has not lost a league game.

The Mudhens will play at 2:30 p.m. Sunday in Cottonwood.

MINNEOTA (AB-R-H-RBI) Beau Buysse, 2b 3 0 0 0; Jake Leighton, rf 4 0 2 0; Tyson Sonnenburg, cf 4 0 2 1; Austin Buysse, 3b 4 0 2 1; Preston Nuy, 3b 4 0 0 0; Alex Pohlen, lf 4 0 0 0; Jesse Drager, lf 3 0 0 0; Brant Buysse, ph 1 0 0 0; Danny Hennen, p 3 1 1 1; Austin DeVlaeminck, 1b 3 1 0 0. Totals 33 2 7 2.

DUMONT (AB-R-H-RBI) James Paul, ss 4 0 0 1; Jordan Roos, 2b 4 0 1 0; Kyle Bjugsted, c 3 1 0 0; Matt Thielen, cr 0 0 0 0; Nate Albrecht, p 3 1 0 0; Eric Deal, 1b 3 1 1 3; Mason Lampe, rf; 4 0 3 1; Paul Zach, dh 2 1 0 0; Trent Bestlent, dh 1 0 0 0; Pat Kurratz, cf 0 0 0 0; Cam Mausal, 3b 3 0 0 0; Carson Maudal, lf 4 0 2 0. Totals 30 4 7 4.

Minneota        000 002 000 — 2 7 4

Dumont          030 001 00x — 4 7 2

E-Minneota: Nuy 3, Pohlen; Dumont: Lampe. LOB-Minneota: 5; Dumont: 9. SAC-Minneota: Beau Buysse; Dumont: Paul; Cam Maudel. DP-Minneota: 4-6-3 (5). 2B-Minneota: Austin Buysse. HR: Dumont: Deal.

Pitching                       IP     R    ER    H     BB     K

Minneota

Hennen (L)                  9       4    0       7      2        2

Dumont

Albrecht (W)                9       2    2       7      0        13

HP-Bjugstad (by Hennen).