"Many of the players in this league are more than just teammates. They are friends, family, husbands, fathers, sons, and much more. Minnesota amateur baseball is a cherished tradition that many of us look forward to during the summer season. Baseball brings balance to busy lives. It builds friendships that last lifetimes, and it makes memories that we share at the dinner table each night.

 

2015 Season Update

We have been very poor at updating this website this year, to those of you that are loyal readers, we apologize.  The season to this point has been pretty up and down.  The regular season saw us finish at 11 - 7 good for 4th place in the Gopher League.  This result pitted us against the rival Worthington Cubs.  Last night in Lismore in Game 1 of the best of 3 series, we snuck away with a 10-7 victory.  Game 2 will be tomorrow night, July 24th, in Worthington at 7:30pm. 

 

 

Opening Day Cancelled Due to Poor Weather

The Cardinals 2014 Season Opener scheduled in Adrian at 2pm Sunday May 11, was postponed due to impending weather conditions that never materialized.  As a result the season and home opener will now be this Wednesday night @ 7:30pm at Butts Probst Field against an aspiring Heron Lake Lakers Ball Club.  Come on out and enjoy a ball game!  

2014 Schedule Has Been Posted

The Wilmont Cardinals 2014 schedule has been posted.  The season gets underway on Mother's Day May 11 in Adrian against the A's.  The Cardinals will return a majority of their team from last year, and look to make another State Tournament Run in 2014.

Cardinals Lose Heartbreaker at State

MAPLE LAKE -- The winning run crossed the plate on a bases-loaded walk in the bottom of the ninth inning, and Wilmont's state Class C amateur baseball tournament run was over Friday after just one game.  

Clear Lake defeated the Cardinals 6-5 at Irish Stadium in Maple Lake, ending the southwest Minnesota team's season.

"We definitely had our chances," said Wilmont starting pitcher Justin Saufley. "That's why it stings a little more than in the past."

The Cardinals had made eight previous state tournament appearances, with limited success. They were beaten in the first game last year. And again this year, though their luck could have just as easily gone the other way.

Wilmont out-hit Clear Lake 13-8 but committed four errors to Clear Lake's none. Three of Wilmont's errors were throwing errors, including one that occurred in the seventh inning to allow the Lakers to tie the game, 5-5.

The Cardinals, who scored all five of their runs in the sixth inning after falling behind 4-0, left 11 men on base. They left two runners on in the first inning. In the third they stranded two on second and third base. They led off the seventh with a double and had runners on second and third with one out, but again they went scoreless.

Ryan Spengler went six innings for Clear Lake and picked up the mound victory.

Saufley started and went four innings, allowing six hits and three earned runs. Lucas Henning pitched the rest of the game for the Cards, allowing two hits and two unearned runs.

In the bottom of the ninth inning, Clear Lake's first hitter reached on an error. He was bunted to second base. The next hitter blooped a single to put runners on first and third. After an intentional walk to load the bases, the following hitter walked to force in the winning run.

In Wilmont's five-run sixth inning, Joe Ahrens started a rally with a one-out double. Stuart Rogers singled and, with two out, Nick Ahrens singled. Jay Scheidt belted a two-run double and Steven Kremer slugged a two-run home run.

But that was all the runs Wilmont could plate.

Scheidt finished with three hits. Kremer, Joe and Nick Ahrens, and Blake Rogers all had two hits.

Wilmont finishes the season with a 21-8 record. Today, Fairmont takes on the New Ulm Brewers in a 1 p.m. state tournament contest at Municipal Stadium in Delano. Luverne awaits an Aug. 23 contest in Delano against an as-yet unnamed opponent.

R H E

Wilmont 000 005 000 -- 5 13 4

Clear Lake 012 100 101 -- 6 8 0

 

Cardinals State Tournament Article in Worthington Daily Globe

Justin Saufley will be on the pitcher's mound Friday when the Wilmont Cardinals play their first state amateur baseball tournament game against Clear Lake.

Saufley's appearance on center stage is one reason for Cardinal fans to be confident. He's 7-2 for a team that's 21-7 on the season. But there are other reasons to be hopeful.

Wilmont is hot. After losing an earlier Region 13C series against Luverne that forced them into a best-of-three series with Hadley for a final berth in the state tournament, the Cards are coming off 12-2 and 7-0 victories over the Buttermakers that highlight a prolific offense and a stingy pitching staff.

Saufley is sporting a 1.16 earned run average in 69 and two-thirds innings -- more than twice as many innings pitched as any teammate. Amazingly, he has walked only five batters and struck out 87. But it's not just his personal numbers that makes Saufley feel confident going into the tournament.

"Ever since I've played at Wilmont we've always been successful. So we've always experienced (confidence) this time of year ... The experience we've accumulated over the years has definitely helped us."

Wilmont, however, which has made previous state tourney appearances in 1969, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2009, 2010, 2012, wasn't successful at the state level last year. The Cards lost a first-round game to the Loretto Larks and was eliminated from further play.

Now in mid-August of 2013, the Cardinals are probably in is as good a position as they can be in. They opened the Hadley series by rapping 15 hits, and Saufley turned in a typically sterling pitching performance. In Sunday's 7-0 victory, Wilmont's Lucas Henning struck out 13 batters and allowed just two hits to register a complete game.

Henning is 2-1 with a 0.26 ERA in 34 innings this season. Joe Ahrens is 4-0 with a 0.71 ERA in 25 and a third innings. Nick Ahrens is 4-0 with a 2.63 ERA in 27 and a third innings. And Adam Diekmann is 2-1 with a 3.18 ERA in 22 and two-thirds innings.

Wilmont sports some impressive hitting statistics, too. Joe Krivarchka has a .405 batting average while Blake Rogers is at .373, Mitchell Baumhoefner .357, Henning .356, Saufley .324 and Steven Kremer .320. Kremer has hit six home runs.

"We've been playing real good ball the last few games, and we feel really good about that," said Wilmont's manager, Todd Rogers. "If the pitching stays like it is, and our offense, I think we should have a pretty good chance up there."

The Cardinals are certainly not lacking pitching. Besides their own hurlers, they've got Jackson Bulls draftee Ryan Rasche on staff now. Their most recent draftees include the Worthington Cubs' Adam Munkel and Milroy's Isaac Dolan.

Saufley said he and the Cardinals were bothered by their less-than-outstanding playoff performance against Luverne. "We knew it was do-or-die against Hadley," he said.

And now that Wilmont has made it back to state, Saufley will bring a repertoire of three excellent pitches with him to show off to Clear Lake. His fastball, curve and changeup have been consistent all season.

"I think I'll try to do what I've been able to do all year. Throw strikes. I've got confidence in all three of my pitches, basically," he said Tuesday.

Clear Lake is the No. 2 seed from Region 1C (Sartell is seeded No. 1). Friday's game begins at 5 p.m. Friday at Irish Stadium in Maple Lake.

On Saturday, Fairmont will open against the New Ulm Brewers at 1 p.m. at Municipal Stadium in Delano. Luverne, the top-seeded team in Region 13C, has a first-round bye and on Aug. 23 will play the winner of Saturday's 4 p.m. game between the Midway Snurdbirds and the Upsala Blue Jays.

- See more at: http://www.dglobe.com/node/1570392#sthash.GzVKzWmZ.dpuf

Cardinals Back in the Win Column!

WILMONT –– Ripping 15 hits Wednesday evening at Butts Probst Field, the Wilmont Cardinals treated their fans to a 12-2 Region 13C amateur baseball victory over Hadley in Game 1 of a best-of-three series which will decide the region’s third state tournament entrant. Fairmont and Luverne, who both will advance, battled at Herb Wolf Field in Fairmont Wednesday in Game 1 of the best-of-three series to determine state tournament seedings. Luverne defeated the Martins, 13-4, to take an early lead in that series. Wilmont (20-7) spread its 15 hits among nine players –– with nearly all of them coming in the third and fourth innings, as the Cardinals scored a trio of runs in the third and crossed the plate eight times in the fourth. “We hit the ball good tonight,” summed up Wilmont manager Todd Rogers. “All of the guys had good at-bats and we drove a lot of pitches the opposite way.” Rogers’ sons –– Stuart and Blake –– each cracked a pair of extra-base hits and combined to drive in five Cardinal runs. Left fielder Joe Krivarchka continued his torrid hitting streak as he –– for the second playoff game in a row –– enjoyed a perfect 3-for-3 night at the plate with a trio of singles, driving in a pair of runs. “Joe’s on a hot hitting streak, that’s for sure,” declared Todd Rogers. “He’s been real consistent for us.” Hadley, which staged a remarkable rally Saturday –– coming from a 7-2 deficit (with five runs in the seventh inning and two more in the bottom of the ninth) –– to defeat Fairmont 9-8 and force the only third game of this year’s playoffs, was unable to score through six innings Wednesday. Working the mound for Wilmont was Cardinal ace Justin Saufley who –– after being tagged for a trio of singles in the top of the first and two more to lead off the fourth –– kept the Buttermakers off the board by getting clutch outs when he needed them. “As usual, Justin did a great job pitching for us,” praised Todd Rogers. “Hadley had some nice hits, but Justin’s pitching and our defense kept them from scoring.” Joe Larson, Nick Bruning (2-for-3) and Max Zwart (3-for-4) all had singles in the game’s first frame, but a pickoff at first base by Saufley and a pair of strikeouts prevented any runs. Wilmont got on the board via a five-pitch leadoff walk to Jay Scheidt (2-for-3) who stole second and scored on Krivarcha’s RBI single to the gap in right center. After a scoreless second, the Cardinals stroked six consecutive hits –– five singles and a booming two-run triple by Blake Rogers –– in the bottom of the third, scoring three runs to take a 4-0 lead. The damage may have been more if not for a great throw by Zwart from right field, cutting down a sliding Scheidt at third base for the inning’s first out. After Scheidt, Krivarchka and Steven Kremer each hit consecutive singles off Hadley starter Zach Bruns, Blake Rogers’ triple to the right center field gap plated both Krivarchka and Kremer. A sharp RBI single by Lucas Henning scored Rogers with Wilmont’s fourth run of the game. After a single by Saufley, the Buttemakers turned a nifty 6-4-3 double play (Nate Wieneke to James Wajer to Chris Halbur) to end the bleeding. Zwart and Trent Carlson hit back-to-back single to open Hadley’s half of the fourth, but a pair of strikeouts by Saufley and a fine fielding play by the Wilmont pitcher stranded both runners. Starting with an opposite field double by Stuart Rogers, the Cardinals sent 12 batters to the plate in the top of the fourth –– off of a trio of Hadley pitchers (Bruns, Paul Counter and Sam Erickson) –– and scored eight runs on seven hits, a walk and a beaned batter. Scheidt, Krivarchka and Blake Rogers (double) each drove in a run before Joe Ahrens (2-for-4) delivered a two-run single and Stuart Rogers’ second double of the inning, plated two more runs. Both Saufley and Erickson (three ground outs) worked 1-2-3 fifth innings before Hadley loaded the bases –– with no outs –– against Jackson draftee Ryan Rasche in the top of the sixth. Zwart had his third single of the night and both Bruning and Carlson drew walks, but Rasche recovered with a pair of strikeouts, sandwiched around a great catch by second baseman Nick Ahrens, to escape without a run. Hadley’s EricWieneke struck out the side in the bottom in the sixth and the Buttermakers rallied with a pair of runs off Nick Ahrens in the top of the seventh. Nate Wieneke led off with a single and Alex Peterson later drew a one-out walk. Wieneke scored on Bruning’s RBI single and Peterson later crossed the plate on Zwart’s RBI ground out. Carlson drew another walk, loading the bases, but a fly ball to Scheidt ended the game early via the 10-run rule. Hadley hosts Game 2 Saturday at 2 p.m.

R H E Hadley 000 000 2 –– 2 8 0

                Wilmont 103 800 X –– 12 15 2 - 

Klumper Family Donations

The Cardinals would like to give a big shoutout to the fans of both our team and the Worthington Cubs who donated to the Klumper family last Wednesday.  Your combined efforts raised $252.50 for the Klumper family which they are very very thankful for!  Thanks again for helping the fundraiser go well!  We are all on the side of the Klumpers in this game.  Please continue to pray for Wayne and his family as they continue their uphill battle.  

Cardinals Moving On!

WORTHINGTON - The Wilmont Cardinals completed a two-game sweep of the Worthington Cubs Saturday to advance to the Region 13C Region semifinals, where they will face off with the Luverne Redbirds, who swept the Heron Lake Lakers Saturday.  

Luverne, the Region's No. 3 seed, will now tangle with second-seeded Wilmont in the best-of-three matchup. That series begins Wednesday (7:30 p.m.) at Butts Probst Field in Wilmont.

Game 2 is at Redbird Field in Luverne Friday, also at 7:30 p.m.

Game 3, if necessary, is back at Wilmont Sunday (2 p.m.).

Wilmont jumped out to an early 2-0 lead after scoring two runs in the first inning. The Cardinals added two more runs in the fourth increase their lead to four after four innings.

Worthington got on the board with a run in the eighth, but Wilmont tacked on another three runs in the top of the ninth to go up 7-1.

The Cubs were able to push one more run across in the bottom of the ninth, but it was not enough to make a comeback.

Ryan Rasche (the Cardinals draftee from Jackson) pitched a complete game to get the win while striking out six Cubs batters. Mitch Jensen also pitched a complete game, striking out seven while allowing just four earned runs on 15 hits.

Three batters had three hits in the game for Wilmont, including Joe Krivarchka, Stuart Rogers and Nick Ahrens. Rogers picked up two RBIs in the game, while Krivarchka scored two runs to go along with an RBI.

Joey Kinley (2-for-4) knocked in one of Worthington's two runs with Josh Wasmund scoring the other on a solo home run. Joe Joswiak and Tommy Hayenga each had two hits in the game.

Worthington finishes the season with an 8-15 record, while Wilmont advances to the semifinals to play a best-of-three series with the Luverne Redbirds beginning on Wednesday.

R H E

Wil 200 200 003 - 7 15 0

Wor 000 000 011 - 2 8 2

Cardinals Featured in Worthington Daily Globe!

WORTHINGTON -- One season ago, the Wilmont Cardinals smashed a combined 25 home runs over the fence as a team on their way to an Minnesota State Amateur Baseball Tournament appearance. 

However, despite boasting a better record through the second round of the playoffs than last year's team, the Cardinals have hit just nine home runs and are relying more on their pitching to win them games rather than the power of their offense.

"Our pitching has been our bread-and-butter this year," Wilmont starting pitcher Justin Saufley said. "Last season, we were able to get a lot of extra base hits, but so far this year, we have not been able to do that. We have a good team average, but we just aren't getting all the extra base hits we got last year."

Point in case is Wilmont's 3-1 win over the Worthington Cubs Wednesday night in Game 1 of the Region 13C amateur baseball playoffs. The Cardinals used a dominant outing by Saufley to hold the Cubs offense to just one run in nine innings. Saufley pitched a complete game, striking out 15 batters while allowing just six hits, which allowed the Cardinals to claim the win after scoring just three runs.

"The name of the game is keeping the other team from scoring runs," Saufley said. "Our pitching staff has been able to do that all season long. Guys like Joe Ahrens, Nick Ahrens and Adam Diekman have all been pitching really well for us this season. We have four of five guys who go out there and always give us a good chance to win the game."

Not only have the Cardinals' starting pitchers been pitching well all year, but they have also gone late into games; allowing coach Todd Rogers to save the arms in the bullpen.

"Our pitching has been solid and all of our pitchers have been able to go six of seven innings in most games," Rogers said. "And when we do need to go to the bullpen, the pitchers who come in are doing their best to throw strikes, hit their spots and keep the other team's batters off balance."

In the case of Saufley, who is 6-1 on the season, he has never felt better on the mound than he has this season and it is showing both in his record as well as the way he approaches the game.

"I have felt as good as ever this season when I've been pitching," Saufley said. "I don't know if I am keeping myself in better shape as I'm getting older, or what, but this year has been better than any of my past seasons pitching for the Cardinals."

One thing that has given Saufley a boast on the mound is the development of a third pitch. Saufley added a change up to his arsenal of pitches and it has done wonders for him this season.

"Two or three years ago, I decided I needed to add in another pitch to my rotation, so I started to develop a changeup," Saufley said. "Having three pitches you can throw on a consistent basis is a lot better than just having two pitches. It has really been a game changer for me on the mound."

Even though the Cardinals have been relying on solid pitching to win them games, the team can still score a bunch of runs when needed.

"We have been hitting the ball really well this year and still scoring a lot of runs in most games," Rogers said. "We might not have the power like we did last year, but we are being aggressive at the plate and swinging at strikes."

The likes of Jay Scheidt, Lucas Henning, Blake Rogers and Steven Kremer have been leading leading the way for Wilmont on offense and are coach Rogers go to guys when he needs someone to drive in a run.

"Those guys have been hitting really well for us this season," coach Rogers said. "But we also have plenty of depth on the team that allows us to use a lot of different guys every game. A lot of guys can play a lot of different positions, so if we need to, we can move an outfielder to the infield or vice versa."

Along with their offense, the Cardinals' defense has been solid all year and makes it easier for pitchers like Saufley to throw strikes on the mound.

"It is a great feeling knowing that I have a really good defense behind me because I don't feel like I have to throw a shutout every game that I start," Saufley said. "The team as a whole has been playing really good defense this year and, this year, we are definitely better on defense than some of the other teams I've been on with Wilmont."

With Wilmont in the thick of the amateur baseball playoffs, coach Rogers feels the Cardinals are playing some of their best baseball of the season heading into Game 2 against Worthington on Saturday.

"This is the time of year that you need to be playing your best baseball and I feel like we are on top of our game right now," coach Rogers said. "If we want to keep playing at this high level, we need to keep our errors down, pitch well and hit the ball."

Game 2 of the 13C playoffs starts at 2 p.m. Saturday in Worthington, with Game 3 (if needed) scheduled to start at 4 p.m. Sunday in Wilmont.

"We all really like playing together as a team and we are all good friends," Saufley said. "We feel like we can win any game as long as we play the way we know we can. But we will take it one game at a time and try not to get ahead of ourselves."

Cardinals upend Cubs to take opener

Published by jrademacher on Wednesday, July 24th, 2013

Rivalry Set to Renew

A longtime rivalry in Southwest Minnesota Amateur Baseball is set to renew this week as the Wilmont Cardinals and Worthington Cubs will face off in a best of 3 playoff series in the Region 13C Playoffs.  Wilmont drew the number 2 seed and drafted Ryan Rasche of the Jackson Bulls, while Worthington got the 7 seed and drafted Adrian's Cody Kontz.  First pitch will be Wednesday Night at Butts Probst Field in Wilmont.  The Cardinals will be wearing shirts in support of Wayne Klumper as their jerseys for the game, the "Heals" shirts were designed by Klumpers son Joe as a way to build support for Wayne.  Come out and watch the rivalry renewed as the two teams square off on Wednesday night!

Cardinal Tyler Hatterman Signs to play Baseball at Northwestern

WORTHINGTON -- Worthington grad Tyler Hatterman has signed a letter of intent to continue his baseball career with the Northwestern College Red Raiders next season

"We are glad to welcome Tyler to our team," said head coach Brian Wede. "Tyler is a physical outfielder with a lot of potential to be a good offensive player. I am excited to watch him develop under Coach Boeve."

Hatterman, a 6 foot, 185 pound, outfielder earned two letters at Worthington High School under coach Stacy Sauerbrei and plans to enter Northwestern as an undecided major.   On behalf of the Wilmont Cardinals, Conrats Ty Guy!

Blake Rogers and Lucas Henning Featured in the Worthington Daily Globe!

First cousins shine for Post 5 Former Worthington Trojan baseball stars Lucas Henning and Blake Rogers are both enjoying stellar seasons for Worthington American Legion Post 5 this summer. After leading Post 5 to a trio of victories and the championship of the Alexandria Tournament July 5-6, Rogers and Henning were selected as the tourney’s co-MVPs. Henning and Rogers are first cousins. Henning’s mother Lori and Rogers’ mother Jackie are sisters —- Kuehl’s from Westbrook and were both athletes for the Wildcats back in the 1980s. Grandfather Mike Kuehl was a Westbrook athlete in the 1950s and was a member —- catcher —- for the Des Moines River Rats fast-pitch softball team, which I wrote a “Blast-From-the-Past” about two years ago (published on July 2, 2011). The Kuehl family has been strong supporters of both Lucas and Blake during their summers as VFW and Legion baseball players in Worthington. Henning, who has a year of college baseball at Minnesota State-Mankato under his belt, also excelled in both football and basketball for the Trojans. Both Lucas and Blake are top-notch pitchers and hitters for Post 5, while Rogers —- who recently played in the prestigious Lions’ All-Star high school baseball for 2013 seniors —- is also an outstanding catcher. Henning and Rogers both play amateur baseball for the Wilmont Cardinals, who like Post 5, are coached by Todd Rogers —— Blake’s dad and Lucas’ uncle. It’s a family affair for the Kuehl sisters on most summer weekends. - See more at: http://www.dglobe.com/content/les-knutson-hady-was-always-about-team#sthash.MhpcktgN.dpuf

Cardinals Finish Regular Season on a High Note 

Justin Saufley pitched five shutout innings to lead the Wilmont Cardinals to a 7-0 win over the Adrian A’s Sunday.

Wilmont picked up six of its seven runs in the fifth inning and tacked on another run in the sixth.

Zach Dingman took the loss for Adrian.

Jay Scheidt led the Wilmont offense with a double and three RBIs followed by Blake Rogers and Adam Diekman each picking up two hits apiece.

Adrian was led by Glenn Kruger’s two hits at the plate.

Wilmont (17-2) starts the amateur baseball playoffs this week and will receive a first round bye.

R H E

A 000 000 000 - 0 5 0

W 000 061 00X - 7 9 0

Cardinals Sweep Sunday Doubleheader 

Game 1 - Wilmont 15 Minneota 5

Wilmont took advantage of 8 Mudhen errors en route to a 15 - 5 victory in Minneota.  Adam Diekmann picked up the win on the mound by pitching 6 innings with 8 strikeouts.  The brothers Ahrens (Nick and Joe) each hit doubles.  Nick also added a single and had 2 rbi to power the cardinals hitting attack.  

 

Game 2 - Wilmont 4 Hadley 0

The nightcap of Sunday's doubleheader was a pitchers duel between Hadley's Zach Bruns and Wilmont's Justin Saufley.  With the score tied at 0 in the top of the sixth the Cardinal offense finally came alive.  A leadoff single by Steven Kremer and 2 base error by the Hadley center fielder allowed Kremer to race to third base on the play.  Joe Ahrens drove him home with an RBI single to break the 0-0 tie.  Tanner Loosbrock followed with an RBI single (he had 2 hits in this game) and Nick Ahrens drove in another run with a single later in the inning.  Saufley got the win on the mound going the distance and striking out 12.  

Next up - Wilmont @ Lakefield Wednesday 7/10 @ 7:30PM

Regular Season Finale - Sunday 7/14 @ 2pm in Wilmont vs. Adrian

Cardinals win 10th Straight with 11-2 Win over Pipestone

The Cardinals put on a hitting barrage on Wednesday night at Butts Probst field in Wilmont pounding out 14 hits, 4 of which went for extra bases.  Justin Saufley had a team high 3 hits (1 double), while Blake Rogers and Joe Krivarchka recorded two hits a piece.  Jay Scheidt and Steve Kremer added run scoring doubles.  Wilmont has combined timely hitting with excellent pitching and defense during their 10 game streak and received another solid start on Wednesday from Justin Saufley.  Saufley pitched 7 innings, giving up 1 earned run, striking out 9.  Joe Ahrens pitched the last two innings, giving up no runs and striking out a pair.  The win pushes Wilmonts overall record to 12-2 and 9-2 in the League.  The Cardinals are back in action Sunday @ 4:30pm to take on the Milroy Irish at the Irish Yard.  If you haven't been there yet the Irish Yard is a pretty cool place to watch and play a baseball game.  Props to the Irish for building a dandy of a field.  

Cardinals notch a pair of 5-0 shutouts.

WILMONT — Adam Diekmann and Lucas Henning each pitched a complete games and combined for 12 strikeouts to lead the Wilmont Cardinals to a 5-0 win over the Heron Lake Lakers and a 5-0 win over the Jackson Bulls Sunday.

Wilmont opened the scoring against Heron Lake in the third innings, scoring two runs before adding another run in the fifth and two more in the sixth.

Alex Meyer took the loss for the Lakers, while Diekmann fanned five batters to get the win for the Cardinals.

Joe Krivarchka, Justin Saufley and Joe Ahrens each had three hits for Wilmont, while Krivarchka had a double and scored two runs.

Meyer picked up two hits to lead Heron Lake at the plate.

In the game against Jackson, Wilmont scored one run in the third before tacking on two runs in the fifth and the sixth.

Henning struck out seven batters in the game to get the win, while Ryan Rasche picked up six strike outs in the loss.

Ahrens led the Cardinals at the plate with a two-run home run. Mike Wierson had a double to lead the Bulls.

Wilmont hosts Pipestone Wednesday.

R H E

Heron Lake 000 000 0 - 0 7 0

Wilmont 002 012 X - 5 13 0

R H E

Jackson 000 000 0 - 0 3 1

Wilmont 001 022 X - 5 7 0

Cards knock off Worthington Cubs

WORTHINGTON — The Cardinals only play their arch-rivals from Worthington twice in the regular season. And since the Cardinals overcame a 4-2 deficit in the ninth inning to beat the Cubs 5-4 in their first matchup earlier this year, the focus for Friday night’s rematch was sharp.

Wilmont defeated Worthington 12-6 in a game cut short by darkness in the top of the ninth inning.

An eight-run third inning was all Wilmont needed.

Wilmont collected five hits and five walks in the third off Cubs starter Ethan Duffy, highlighted by a Joe Krivarchka RBI-triple, a two-run double by Ryan Swanson and a three-run triple by Jay Scheidt.

Scheidt, Krivarchka, Lucas Henning and Tanner Loosbrock all had two hits for the victorious Cardinals, who out-hit Worthington 13-9.

Joey Kinley, Adam Munkel, Tommy Hayenga and Wasmund all had two hits for Worthington, with Hayenga driving in three runs.

Wilmont starting pitcher Ryan Swanson pitched three and two-thirds innings and allowed four earned runs on five hits and two strikeouts. Stuart Rogers was the winning pitcher, going three and one-third allowing one earned run on three hits, two walks and four strikeouts. Henning pitched the final inning to get a save.

Duffy went the distance for Worthington, walking 10 and striking out six.

Wilmont had scored four runs in the top of the ninth inning when the game was called.

Wilmont is 9-2 overall and 7-2 in league action.

The Cardinals' play a Doubleheader sunday starting at 2pm with the Heron Lake Lakers, then take on the Jackson Bulls following that game.  Come out and show your support!

 

R H E

Wil 008 001 00 — 9 13 1

Wor 022 101 00 — 6 9 0

Cards Pick up Huge League win vs. Luverne

The Cardinal bats again were silent for the most part, but they got the timely hitting they needed and excellent pitching to squeek by the Luverne Redbirds on Wednesday night.  Nick Ahrens started on the mound for Wilmont and picked up the win by tossing 7 1/3 innings, scattering 9 hits and striking out 3.  Justin Saufley picked up the save for Wilmont.  Blake Rogers had a booming double to the left center gap, Lucas Henning also had an RBI double and a well hit sac fly to drive in two runs.  Ryan Swanson used a 0-2 hanging curveball and slapped it into right field to bring the tying run to the plate.  Joe Krivarchka and Justin Saufley had the other two hits.  This is a big win for Wilmont and moves them closer to the top of the Gopher League standings.  The Cardinals will be in action again Friday night at 6 o'clock on the college field in Worthington to take on their longtime rival Worthington Cubs.

Cardinals outpace Minneota Mudhens

In a game that was slid to Monday night from Sunday late afternoon the Wilmont Cardinals snuck by a scrappy Minneota Mudhens team 4-1.  Joe Ahrens stole the show by pitching 7 1/3 innings of one run baseball.  He didn't walk a batter and struck out five.  Adam Diekman pitched the last 1 2/3 innings to pick up the save.  Offensively Jay Scheidt was the difference as his double and three runs scored would prove enough to help the cardinals win.  Newcomer Joe Krivarchka also added a huge 2 rbi double in the game.  Blake Rogers, Stuart Rogers, Joe Ahrens all had singles for Wilmont.

Steven Kremer Signs Contract with Northwoods League Team

Cardinal catcher and Wilmont native Steven Kremer has signed a 10 day contract with the Alexandria Blue Anchors of the Northwoods League.  The Northwoods League is a premier Collegiate Woodbat Summer League up there with the likes of the Cape Cod league in terms of talent.  This is a great accomplishment for Steve and the Cardinals and their faithful wish him the best.  His spot in the Cardinal lineup will be waiting for him whenever he returns.  Great Job Steve!

Cardinals Defeat Adrian A's 6-1

Led by an inspired pitching performance by Justin Saufley, 9IP, 16k's, your Wilmont Cardinals picked up the win Wednesday night in Adrian 6-1 over the A's.  Blake Rogers hit a home run and a double to collect 3 runs batted in, Steve Kremer had 2 doubles for Wilmont, and Joe Ahrens added 2 hits also.  The Cardinals will be back in action on Monday night June 17 to face the Minneota Mudhens at Butts Probst Field @ 7:30pm.

Cardinals Make up Games

Wilmont has rescheduled their game with the Minneota Mudhen's orginally scheduled for June 16 for Monday night June 17 @ 7:30pm at Butts Probst Field.  Additionally Wilmont's game at Pipestone scheduled for in May has been rescheduled for Wednesday night July 3 @ 7:30pm.  There will be SPARKLERS involved as requested by Cardinal Players!

Cardinals Eek by Fox Lake

The Cardinals continue to find ways to win ball games as they snuck by the Fox Lake Foxes on Wednesday Night at Butts Probst Field in Wilmont.  The Cardinals cold streak with their bats continued as they knocked out only 3 hits (Lucas Henning having 2 of them and Steven Kremer the Other).  The Cardinals took advantage of walks and hit by pitches en route to the win.  Blake Rogers started the game on the mound for the Cardinals and pitched a very impressive two innings striking out three batters.  He gave way to Joe Ahrens, who picked up the win tossing 5 innings of middle relief.  Lucas Henning picked up the save pitching the final two innings of the ball game.  The Cardinals look to stay on the winning track as the rival Jackson Bulls travel to Wilmont for a 2pm matinee Sunday June 9th.

Cardinals beat Tracy

TRACY — Wilmont cashed in all the offense it needed with a three-run second inning, beating Tracy 7-2 in an amateur baseball game.

Steven Kremer and Lucas Henning each collected a pair of hits as the winners out-hit the hosts 8-6. Tyler Hatterman added a double.

Nick Ahrens pitched five innings for the victory for Wilmont.

Cardinals get back on winning page vs. Rival Worthington Cubs

On another less than stellar weather night at Butts Probst Field the Cardinals scored 2 unearned runs in the bottom of the ninth to eek out a win against long-time rival Worthington.  Joe Ahrens vultured a win by pitching the final 2 innings of the game for the Cardinals.  Offensively the Cardinal bats were again quite quiet outside of a home run hit by Steve Kremer.

Cardinals Drop Nail Biter To Redbirds

The Cardinals record dropped to 2-2 after a 3-2 loss to the Luverne Redbirds on Wednesday May 29 at Butts Probst Field.  Justin Saufley suffered the loss for Wilmont.  He pitched 7 innings giving up 3 runs, all earned, while walked 2 and striking out 7.  Joe Ahrens, making his 2013 Cardinal debut pitched a scoreless final 2 innings.  It was great to see #7 back on the ball field again.  On offense leadoff batter Jay Scheidt collected 2 hits.  The Cardinals 2 runs were scored off a first inning Home Run by Cardinal great Steven "Steve" Kremer.  Others collecting hits on this night were, Blake Rogers and Justin Saufley added singles, to a mostly punchless Cardinals lineup.  Credit goes to the Redbird pitching trio of Phil Paquette, who was the starter and picked up the win, Kor (pitched a scoreless 7th inning), and Brian Buening, who recorded a 3 inning save for the Redbirds.  The Cardinals fall to 2-2 in the Gopher League and will host the Worthington Cubs in a non-league game Friday night at 7:30 at Butts Probst Field.

Cardinals fall to Hadley 6-4 in Ten innings

With cold temperatures and high winds making for a difficult night of baseball, the Cardinals lost 6-4 against the Hadley Buttermakers on Wednesday night in a game that will be remembered, or not remembered, as one of the Cardinals better games in 2013.  Credit goes to the Hadley Buttermakers who made the plays and the pitches necessary in order to win the game.  The Buttermakers piching and defense left the Cardinals and their fans frustrated as they just weren't able to get that big hit when they needed it.  Wilmont will be back in action at 2 o'clock in Pipestone to take on an very good A's team.   

Cardinals Beat Milroy 7-2

Wilmont 7, Milroy 2

WILMONT —In a seven-inning game, host Wilmont got all the runs it needed with a four-run first. Out-hitting Milroy 13-7, the Cardinals improved to 2-0 with the victory.

Steven Kremer went 3-for-3 at the plate with a home run and two RBI. Jay Scheidt had two hits with a double and two runs scored. Blake Rogers, Justin Saufley and Ryan Swanson all had two hits for Wilmont.

For the Irish, Dominic Dolan had a double and Isaac Dolan had two hits.

Saufley was the winning pitcher, going the full seven innings while walking two and striking out three. Tyler Peterson took the loss.

BLAKE FOUND HIS RELEASE POINT!!

This is what being a baseball player is all about.  It's about making adjustments and being consistent.  Great Job on your consistency yesterday Blake.  This is just how the Cardinals teach it in our coaching camps!

“I like to work fast and I got into a rhythm in that inning,” Rogers said. “I was able to find my release point and from there I was just in the zone.”

“Coming down to the end of the game, my arm and body were getting tired,” Rogers said. “But I knew I just had to throw the ball across the plate and trust my outfield, and that is what I did.”

Great quotes from a great kid.

This was the key to Blakes complete game shutout yesterday.  Blake tossed seven innings and struck out nine.  He also hit a 2 run triple.  Fellow Cardinal Tyler Hatterman also had two hits in yesterdays 3-0 win for the Trojans yesterday.  Nice job BOYYYSS!!

 

CARDINALS OPEN THE SEASON WITH A BANG!

The Wilmont Cardinals got their 2013 underway on a good foot with an 11-0 victory over the Tracy Express on Mother's Day Sunday!  To start the season off Adam Diekmann proposed to his long time girlfriend Blake Ahlers, by having her throw out a ceremonial first pitch to kick off the season.  Adam then proceeded to drop to a knee and asked her to marry him.  Lucky for all of us she said YES!  Congratulations again you two!

Back to baseball, the Cardinals picked up the victory will and all around solid team performance.  Cardinals pitchers held the Express to just two singles on the day.  Nick Ahrens picked up the victory on the hill by pitching three middle innings of the game.  He walked one and struck out four.  Justin Saufley started the game and pitched three innings with five strikeouts.  Adam Diekmann pitched a clean top of the seventh to secure the victory for Wilmont.  Newcomers Michael Vorwald and Joe Krivarchka each had two hits in their Wilmont debuts.  Stuart Rogers also had a nice day at the dish going 2-2 with a double.  Steve Kremer had 3 rbi on a bases clearing double.  Blake Rogers added a double and an rbi.  Jay Scheidt and Justin Saufley each had two hits.  And Nick Ahrens hit the ball hard all day but Suby and Big Z robbed ol' Kenny of a couple of base hits.  He did have a single and an rbi to his credit however.  The Cardinals return to action next Sunday May 19th at Butts Probst to take on the Milroy Irish.

OPENING DAY TIME CHANGE

In late breaking news, Wilmont's season opening game with the Tracy Express at Butts Probst Field has been pushed back from a 2p.m start to a 4p.m. start.  Check out @WILMONTCARDS for all of the latest breaking news! 

ATTENTION ALL CARDINALS BALLYPLAYERS!!! We all need to be to the field by 1pm Sunday to do work on it.  If you can make it tomorrow I believe Cardinal Lejendo's (aka legends) Steven "Steve" Kremer and Kenneth "Nick" Turkinsin will be going up the the field to work.  Say a prayer for Buttsy!

Breaking News

Wilmont's scheduled game with the Southwest Outlaws has been cancelled tonight due to lack of hustle.  All joking aside, the game is cancelled because of poor field conditions on Butts Probst Field.  The new system we installed last fall just couldn't handle the large amount of rain that inundated ol' buttsy's field.

In Other News

The Wilmont Cardinal Brass have named Nick Ahrens to the post of Social Media Coordinator.  As Social Media Coordinator Nicholas Francis will be responsible for keeping our gigantic media market dialed in to everything that is going on with the team.  This can include but is not limited to: weather/field updates, schedule changes, Stuart "Stewgz" Rogers current attitutes, and drama in the clubhouse.  As you can see below Nicholas has a fun loving spirit and loves to have a good time.  Follow everything Wilmont Cardinals on Twitter @WILMONTCARDS  

IN YET OTHER NEWS

This is not how to tag a runner... This is the Social Media Coordinator...  

Steve's Shirt

Cardinal catcher Steven "Steve" Kremer was tasked with giving a presentation this morning at his institution of higher education.  Steve chose to wear his maroon wilmont cardinals polo shirt as given to him by his father James "Jim/Catfish" Kremer.  What a good group of people.  Have a nice presentation Steve! 

 

Scrimmage Cancelled 

Wilmont's scrimmage with the Lamberton Long Sox  on April 28th at 2pm has been cancelled due to poor field conditions and lack of hustle.   The two teams may schedule another game down the road but that is TBD at this juncture.  

 

PERFECT BUNTING FORM

 Nick likes to bunt, Nick has fun playing ball.  Nick is a good kid.

 

Cardinals in the News!

 Cardinals Blake Rogers and Tyler Hatterman practice their baserunning prowess at High School practice.  Awesome job guys!

 

STUUGS in the News!

 Stuart "STUUGSIES" Rogers displays excellent defensive form in the tagging out of his teammate during practice.  Nice job STUUUGS!

Cardinals in the News!

Congratulations are in order to Cardinal Third Baseman Stuart "STUUUUGSIES" Rogers on being honored in the prestigious Worthington Daily Globe on Thursday for some sediment testing on samples gather from the much maligned Whiskey Ditch in Worthington as part of his uncle Jeff Rogers (can anyone say teachers pet?) class at MN West.  He is featured looking away from the camera (he is a bit camera shy) and pictured along with Hadley Buttermaker player Eric Wieneke.  They're both just really good kids.  This will be the first of many posts regarding Stewart this season.  He is a fun kid who works hard.  He will certainly be one of the top farmers in the area someday.  Keep up the good work Stewgs!  

 

2013

.... In other developments the Cardinals would like to welcome newcommer Zach Dingmann to the squad.  Zach is a prominent fixture in the Worthington community as he is currently employed at Prairie Elementary and is roomate of current Cardinal Jay Scheidt.  Zach, who hasn't played baseball since 8th grade, is expected to enhance a Cardinal squad that has been to the State Tournament 3 out of the last 4 years.  The Cardinal coaching staff really likes his makeup and feel like his extremely raw talent can be harnessed to be a secret weapon this upcomming season.  On the mound his arsenal includes a mid 60's fast ball complimented by a devastating "splange" (splitter/change-up hybrid).  In the batters box he has an extremely long swing making him susceptible to pitches above 50 miles per hour, but if he connects that ball sure will fly!  Zach has informed the Cardinal brass that he would like to play as number 0 this season, rendering him the first player in Cardinal history to don that number.  It will just add to the mystique that is Zachary Dingmann, and give the Cardinals the upper hand in pregame psychout sessions!  Zach on behalf of the Cardinals and all of Cardinal Nation we extend a warm welcome to you!  God Bless us all Buttsy!  

 

The Cardinals added another formidable opponent to their schedule on Thursday as the Southwest Outlaws and Cardinals agreed to face off at Butts Probst Field Friday Night May 10.  The game, which seems to be coming something of a tradition, will feature many past Wilmont Players, including but not limited to: Jeffrey Appel, Sam Baumgarner, Jesse "Muff" Teerink, Joshua Noble, Chadwich "Wertz" Wiertzma.  Current Cardinal Nicholas "Sparks" Ahrens has already made threats to the Outlaw Team that if they come in his batters box he will not be afraid to send a message, with his pitch, since he has it back.  The game is still a few months away but we are going to pass along any and all Cardinal updates as they are made available.    

 

 

Good tidings and well wishes to all.  I know it's probably still a bit early to be posting about anything to do with baseball yet, but our opening day is 3 months and a day away!  Time will go quick so I hope all of you ball players out there have begun your offseason conditionaing and nutrition programs the management team put you on at our exit meetings back in August.  If not, there will be hell to pay as we will no longer put up with the amount of insubordination that was experienced last season!!!  In all seriousness though we have scheduled a game/scrimmage with the Lamberton Long Sox on Sunday April 28th at 2pm.  I'll likely be posting more non-sense prior to then, but just wanted to get things kicked off and looking forward to another season with the bro's.  -Gary

 

 

CARDS are GOING TO STATE!!!

On Sunday afternoon the Cardinals clinched their third trip to the State Tournament in the past four years.  They are hoping for a better showing that their last appearance in which they were trounced 13-0 by the perennial power Howard Lake Orphans (two prominent fixtures on the team had a fun night the night before but we wont name names :).  The Cardinals play the Loretto Larks on Friday night at 8 pm on Joe Faber Field in St. Cloud. 
The Cardinals clinched their state berth in large part to a strong performance by Lucas Henning on both the mound and at the plate.  He drove in 4 runs and hit his 4th Home Run of the season, which @tiffanywoelber will certainly worship.  He also pitched a complete game and picked up the win for the Cardinals on the mound.  Tanner Loosbrock had a beautiful game, even though he should be punished for his antics the night prior (but we wont get into that here) by reaching base in all four of his plate appearances by collecting two singles and coaxing two walks. 
Nick Ahrens also put the team on his back by crushing an infield single and playing a nice second base all the while sporting one of the most impressive mustaches this side of the 1980's.  Hopefully this isn't my last post of the year for the Cardinals.  Please continue to worship.


CO-"GUYS of the GAME"
After Coach Saufley shattered the Bro of the Game trophy in a fit of rage as a result of his and his teams performance over the past week, a new honor will be given out thanks in large part to Juan Castillo's help (Nate Stoll) the Guy of the Game Trophy.  In Wilmont's 9-2 victory over Pipestone Friday night the whole team played well but Steven "Steve" Kremer 4-5 with a double, triple and 5 Rbi, and Tom "Wonton Lover" Albrecht pitched a complete game giving up 2 runs.  The game was truly a team effort and was nice to see the team put some runs up on the board.  Wilmont can still clinch a State Tournament Berth with a win on Sunday over Pipestone at Butts Probst Field at 2PM! 


Wilmont Falls in Best of Three Series to Jackson Bulls
The Wilmont Cardinals and Jackson Bulls have off in a series to clinch a birth in the State Tournament for the third time in four years.  In each of the two previous series Wilmont was able to prevail and earn a State Tournament berth.  Such was not the case this year as Wilmont lost game three of the best of series on Sunday after earning a hard fought 3-2 victory Friday night in Jackson.  Wilmont still has a chance to clinch a State Tournament spot if they can prevail in their upcoming three game series with the Pipestone A's who lost their best of three series to the Fairmont Martin's.  The Cardinals and A's square off in Game 1 Wednesday night starting at 7:30pm at Butts Probst Field.  We hope to see you all there!  We had great support throughout the Jackson series and are disappointed we let you all down.  But we still have another crack at it against a tough Pipestone squad in which we will need to play much better in order to secure a State Birth!    

TOM ALBRECHT is BRO OF THE GAME!!!

Tom "Luke" Albrecht pitched a gem Friday night in Jackson tossing all 9 innings for Wilmont giving up 2 unearned runs and striking out 13...  You are RICH!

BRO OF THE GAME FOR WILMONT's Series Clinching Win vs. The Irish Boys

Big Ken Turkinson got today's Bro of the Game by going 4 for 5 at the plate with 4 piss rods, he also picked up a 3 inning save on of all days his twenty fourfth birfday, nice job Ken!!!

BRO OF THE GAME FOR WILMONT's 2-1 Opening Victory vs. THE IRISH

Justin "The Mind" Saufley picked up the Bro of the Game by pitching a complete game and striking out 17.  I'm awesome. 

BRO OF THE GAME FOR WILMONT's 14-4 Playoff Clinching Win Over Mountain Lake

Tanner Loosbrock provided a lot of damage by going 1-1 with a walk and a nice catch in left field today...  He was a true BRO, now lets hope he hooks up tonight at the #MSC :)


BRO OF THE GAME FOR WILMONT's 9-1 win over MILROY

Joseph Ahrens won today's Bro of the game by going 2-3 with a Home Run and 2 Rbi's Way to go BRO!!!  You also dance HAWT :)



Bro of the Game for Hadley 12-2 win

Jay Scheidt picked up his first ever Bro of the Game by going 3-4 with a HR and a Double with 4 RBI and 2 RUNS Scored... Nice job Bro!

Bro of the Game for Tracy Game, since there wasn't one for the rich Milroy Game Bro's

This Bro bro'd out like a bro...  He was 3-4 with 2Hr's a Double and 6 Rbi...  Both HR's were super wind aided but whatever he was still a bro!!!... 
Bro of the Game honorable mention for the Milroy game...


Simply for Plunkin a Bro who was trying to be one of us....
Bro of the GAME!!! For the PIPESTONE Game! 


Tonights Bro of the Game in Wilmont's 4-2 win over the Pipestone A's is Justin Saufley. Saufley pitched a complete game giving up 2 runs had 11k's in getting the win.  He was also bro'ish by going 2-4 at the dish with a double and an RBI, nice job Bro!
 

Bro of the GAME!!! For the Luverne Game!

 

Congrats to Steve Kremer for "Bro of the Game" He Bro'd out by going 2-3 with the game tying rbi hit in the bottom of the 6th.  He was also a warrior behind the plate by playing a full 7 innings in that dripping heat.  #brotivities

 

Bro of the GAME!!!

 

 

 

Bro of the GAME!!!

Sunday's Bro of the game goes to Justin Saufley who pitched a complete game giving up 8 hits while striking out 11.  He also was Broish at the plate by going 3-4 with a double. 

 

Bro Nick passing off the Brophy to Bro Justin...  You bro's are tight!

Cards beat Cubs

WORTHINGTON — Steven Kremer blasted a three-run homer and Justin Saufley K’ed 11 in a complete-game effort to lead the Wilmont Cardinals to a 7-2 victory over the Worthington Cubs Sunday night in an amateur baseball game.

The First Nite/Gopher league rivals squared off at the Worthington Middle School field – a field that Saufley pitched many innings on during his days at Worthington High School.

“I was pumped up to play here again,” Saufley said. “I felt good out there. It’s been awhile since I’ve pitched on this field and it was a big game. The guys on both teams know each other quite well.

“A lot of us have played baseball with one another at some point. It’s good for baseball in the area to have a team in Worthington again.”

Saufley, who hit a double and was 3-for-4 with an RBI to help his cause, allowed two earned runs on 11 hits and one walk.

“Justin did a good job out there,” Cardinal catcher Kremer said. “Right away, we weren’t on the same page, but then he started throwing the pitches I put down. He was commanding every pitch well. Every time he’s out there, he gives us a good chance to win.”

Kremer (2-for-4 with three RBIs) was also excited to play against former teammates and friends, especially Worthington starting pitcher Mitchell Jensen.

“I’ve played with Mitchell Jensen since we were 10 years old,” the Wilmont backstop said. “It was the first time I got to play against him and that was fun. That’s why we play amateur baseball — to play against friends.”

The Cubs threatened with runners on board in nearly every inning, but the Wilmont ace allowed nothing until the eighth.

“That’s what good pitchers do,” Cubs manager Josh Wasmund said. “We had runners on base in just about every inning, but just couldn’t get that one big hit early on.”

Following Kremer’s 339-foot round tripper in the top of the eighth that put the visitors ahead 7-0, the Cubs ended the shutout in the home half when Joe Joswiak (2-for-4 with two RBIs) lifted a two-run double to right, scoring Marcus Maras (running for Wasmund) and Mitch Jensen (2-for-3 with a stolen base).

Jensen took the loss for Worthington, going the distance and striking out five. The right hander allowed seven earned runs on five walks and 14 hits.

“We played a lot better defense than in our previous game with Wilmont (10-0 loss at Butts-Probst Field May 25),” Wasmund said. “The runs they got were when they hit the ball. We didn’t give them any extra runs and Jensen gave us a chance to win.”

The Cardinals opened the scoring early when Saufley plated Lucas Henning (1-for-3) with a single in the first, followed by Jay Scheidt (2-for-5 with two RBIs) extending the lead to 2-0 in the third with a single to score Brandon Schroeder (3-for-5), who led off the inning with a triple.

Wilmont added two runs in the fourth when Nick Ahrens (1-for-3) and Scheidt both hit RBI singles to plate Stuart Rogers and Jesse Teerink, respectively.

Both pitchers settled in after that to keep the score at 4-0 Cardinals until Kremer’s shot reignited the scoring in the eighth.

Facing a 2-0 count with Schroeder and Henning aboard, the left-handed batter drilled Jensen’s offering over the right-field fence.

“It felt good,” Kremer said. “I was sitting fastball in that count. I was trying to be aggressive and just put the bat out there and it went out.”

Wasmund finished 3-for-5 with a double for the Cubs, while Cody Melendrez went 3-for-4 and Jerrad Meinders added a single for the hosts.

Both teams return to action Wednesday night as the Cubs (4-8) host the Windom Pirates in a First Nite League contest at the Middle School field, while the Cardinals (7-2) host the Minneota Mudhens in a Gopher League game at Butts-Probst Field.

Game times Wednesday are scheduled for 7:30 p.m.

R H E

Cards 101 200 030 — 7 14 1

Cubs 000 000 020 — 2 11 0

 

Bro of the Game

The Bro's of the Game for Wednesday Nights game vs. Tracy are Nick "the Big Turk" Ahrens and Brandon Schroeder.  Nick picked up the win on the hill tossing 6 innings while giving up no earned runs and had 3 k's.  He helped his own cause by going 2-3 at the plate with a double and an RBI.  Schroeder was 2-4 with a HR and 4 RBI.  Way to go Bro's!!!

 

Cards Derail the Express

WILMONT — Brandon Schroeder hit a two-run homer and had four RBIs, Lucas Henning, Nick Ahrens and Justin Saufley all had a double, Stuart Rogers had three RBIs and Blake Rogers had two RBIs as Wilmont knocked off Tracy in amateur baseball action Wednesday.

Nick Ahrens picked up the win for Wilmont (6-2), throwing six innings and striking out three, while giving up six hits.

Andrew Mathiawetz had two hits for Tracy.

Wilmont will play in Worthington Sunday.

R H E

Tracy 000 020 0 — 2 8 2

Wilmont 222 231 X — 12 12 3

 

First EVER Bro of the Game #Bro

Lucas Henning takes down the first BRO OF THE GAME, by going 3-4 with 4 RBI again the Heron Lake Lakers on Sunday.  Way to Go Bro! 

 

BRO OF THE GAME!!!

 

 

Wilmont Defeats Heron Lake 9-3

HERON LAKE — Lucas Henning was 3-for-4 with four RBIs Sunday evening, leading the Wilmont Cardinals to a 9-3 victory over the Heron Lake Lakers in the nightcap of a First Nite/Gopher League amateur baseball doubleheader at Laker Field.

Jay Scheidt (2-for-3), Blake Rogers (two-run double) and Jesse Teerink (RBI single) were among the other top hitters for Wimont, while Steven Kremer, Joe Ahrens, Nick Ahrens and Ryan Swanson each smacked a single to round out the Cardinals’ 11-hit attack.

Adam Diekmann earned the win on the mound, striking out five batters and allowing three runs on seven hits and one walk in five innings. Joe Ahrens (three strikeouts, two walks) pitched a pair of scoreless, no-hit innings in relief for Wilmont.

Matt Franks was 3-for-4 with an RBI for Heron Lake, while Thomas Albrecht went 2-for-3 with an RBI triple. Ethan Duffy and Lucas Knutson (RBI) each cracked a double for the Lakers.

Duffy hurled four innings, allowing seven runs on nine hits and two walks. Albrecht tossed the final three frames, permitting two runs on two hits and two walks while fanning a pair of batters for Heron Lake.

Wilmont, which is now 5-2 overall and 3-1 in the Gopher League, hosts Tracy Wednesday. Heron Lake (6-5 overall, 6-2 First Nite League) plays Fox Lake at Welcome next Sunday.

R H E

Wil 310 300 2 — 9 11 4

HL 001 020 0 — 3 7 2

 

Cardinal Take Gopher League Opener #Cardsball

WILMONT — Justin Saufley pitched seven strong innings Sunday afternoon, helping the Wilmont Cardinals claim a 7-2 victory over the Adrian A’s in a season-opening Gopher League amateur baseball game at Butts Probst Field.

Saufley recorded nine strikeouts and allowed one run (unearned) on four hits and no walks before Adam Diekmann tossed two innings of relief for Wilmont.

Jay Scheidt was 2-for-5 with two RBIs for the Cardinals, while Saufley, Nick Ahrens and Jesse Teerink each cracked an RBI single. Steven Kremer belted an RBI double, and Stuart Rogers also doubled for Wilmont.

Jeff Gacke hurled seven innings for Adrian (0-1), fanning 12 batters and allowing six runs on eight hits and two walks.

Levi Bullerman was 2-for-4 with an RBI for the A’s, while Cody Kontz tagged a double. Glen Kruger and Zach Dingmann also had hits for Adrian.

Wilmont (1-0) hosts Jackson Friday night.

R H E

Adrian 001 000 010 — 2 5 2

Wilmont 000 303 01X — 7 9 2

 

Cardinals Win Opener!!! #Cardsbaseball

On a wet and cold Friday night at Butts Probst Field, the Wilmont Cardinals used a combination of good pitching and timely hitting to steal a win from the Southwest Outlaws.  A quartet of Cardinal pitchers combined to hold the Outlaws to 3 runs over 7 Innings Pitched on 4 hits and amassed a total of 12 strikeouts, with Stuart "Stoogie" Rogers vulturing a win.  Each of the formidable trio of Nick Ahrens (Wilmont's starter), Ryan Swanson and Stuart "Stoogs" Rogers has 4k's apiece to their credit.  The Cardinal bats were held in check for a good portion of the game as veteran Outlaw pitcher Jeff Appel (and Cardinal Legend) managed to go 5+ Innings pitched giving up 4 hits and 3 earned runs.  The Cardinals were able to muster enough offense in the sixth inning as Jay Scheidt led off the inning with a walk, followed by Steve Kremer's meaningful groundout (moving Scheidt to second base).  Another free pass was issued to Saufley, and yet another to Diekmann and Scheidt would score the first Cardinal run on a passed ball during his at bat.  Stuart "Stugsies" Rogers followed with an RBI single plating Saufley (making the score 3-2).  Following an out by Ryan "Juice" Swanson, Cardinal newcomer Cody Melendrez promptly hit a game tying single plating Stuart "Stoogelmeister" Rogers.  The go ahead run would come off of an Outlaw fielding error thus making the score 4 to 3 in favor of the Cardinals.  Big Stoog Was able to pitch a clean top half of the 7th minus hitting the imposing Chad Wiertsma with a pitch but that would prove to be Rogies only blemish of the inning en route to snaking out a Win and putting the Cardinals on the board with their first win of the year.  The Cardinals are in action again at 2pm Sunday afternoon at Butts Probst Field taking on the rival Adrian A's.  We hope to see you there! 

P.S.  Muff had a hit off of Appel and was 1 for 1 on the night and abruptly ended his night after the amasing such a milestone.   
 

 

The Countdown to Opening Day has Begun!

The Cardinals look to put a disappointing end to last season behind them as former Cardinal Legend Jeff Appel brings his Outlaws to Butts Probst field the season opener, Friday night May 11 at 7 p.m.  The probable starting pitcher for Cardinals will be big Nicky Ahrens (who combines a horrible work ethic with an even worse attitude) to face a potent Outlaw lineup featuring the likes of Chad "Wertz" Wiertzma and the always dangerous Sammy Baumgartner.  We hope to see you there!

 

 2011

 

FAIRMONT — Wilmont will have to wait another game to punch its ticket to the state tournament.

Leading the best-of-five series 2-0 entering Sunday’s regional amateur baseball game, the Fairmont Martins rallied for a 5-2 victory to extend the series at least one more game.

Adam Diekmann suffered the loss for Wilmont (23-8). He allowed three earned runs while striking out five in six innings.

Joe Ahrens threw two innings of relief and struck out three.

Jay Scheidt was 3-for-3, was hit twice and scored a run to lead Wilmont’s offensive attack.

Diekmann was 2-for-4, while Justin Saufley was 1-for-4 with an RBI.

Nate Stoll had an RBI double, while Lucas Henning added a hit.

The Cardinals will host Game 4 at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday.

R H E

Wil. 000 000 020 — 2 8 2

Fair. 002 003 00X — 5 7 2

WILMONT — Riding another dynamite pitching performance from their ace — right-hander Justin Saufley — and scoring a pair of first-inning runs Friday night, the Wilmont Cardinals claimed an exciting 2-1 victory over the Fairmont Martins in Game 2 of their Region 13C best-of-five amateur baseball playoff series at Butts Probst Field.

Wilmont (23-7) now holds a 2-0 lead and can win the series Sunday afternoon, as Game 3 is scheduled to be played at 2 p.m. at Fairmont’s Herb Wolf Park. If the Martins win, Game 4 will be played Tuesday night (7:30 p.m.) back in Wilmont.

Saufley, who allowed six hits, no walks and an unearned run, struck out eight batters in hurling nine strong innings. Featuring an electric fastball and a hard-breaking curveball, Saufley improved to 10-0 with his complete-game gem.

“I was able to pitch out of some jams, and it was a good thing that we scored our two runs early in the game,” summed up Saufley, who also serves as Wilmont’s manager. “(Shaun) McGuire really settled into a groove for Fairmont, and it was a low-scoring affair. But we made enough plays defensively and held on against a good-hitting lineup like the Martins have.”

McGuire (six strikeouts, two walks) also pitched a complete game, scattering eight hits and allowing just the two first-inning runs in eight solid frames for Fairmont (29-6) — which went 17-1 in league play during the regular season and won both the First Nite League regular-season and tournament championships.

Diekmann’s two-run single lifts Wilmont to quick lead

Wilmont, which won the Gopher League regular-season crown and finished as the tournament runner-up, struck first with a pair of runs in the opening inning to take control early.

Nate Stoll smacked a one-out single to left field, and Steven Kremer followed by coaxing a walk. McGuire then registered his first strikeout before a passed ball during Adam Diekmann’s ensuing at-bat allowed the runners to advance to second and third with two outs.

Diekmann came through in the key spot, driving a 3-2 pitch over the second baseman’s head into right-center field. Stoll and Kremer scored on the play, as Diekmann’s two-run single lifted the Cardinals to a 2-0 lead.

“It felt good to hit the ball well with runners in scoring position,” Diekmann said. “I was able to hit the ball into a good location, which allowed both runners to score and get us out to a nice lead right away.”

Joe Ahrens then singled up the middle, but McGuire fanned the next batter to end the inning.

Saufley, who worked around a two-out double by McGuire in the top of the first, pitched a 1-2-3 frame in the second — striking out a pair of batters and inducing a ground-ball out to Diekmann at shortstop. Eleven of the 27 outs that Saufley recorded came on ground balls.

Saufley pitched scoreless frames in the third and fourth, as well — matching McGuire, who worked around two-out base hits by Lucas Henning (2-for-4, single, second) and Diekmann (2-for-4, double, third) and a lead-off walk issued to Ryan Swanson in the fourth.

Fairmont, which didn’t commit an error in the game, then took advantage of a Cardinals’ defensive miscue in the top of the fifth. Aaron Siefken reached on a two-base infield error to start the frame, hustling to second base and later scoring on a one-out RBI single to left field by Ian Bents.

Trailing 2-1, the Martins had runners on first and second with two outs following another Wilmont error later in the inning. But Saufley ended the threat by notching his fourth strikeout of the night.

Fairmont continues to threaten; Wilmont can’t add to lead in late innings

Wilmont was shut down by McGuire the rest of the way, collecting just a trio of singles — one apiece by Swanson (sixth), Henning (seventh) and Kremer (seventh) — from the fifth inning on. McGuire retired the Cardinals in order during both the fifth and eighth frames, inducing five of his 13 ground-ball outs.

“He pitched really well,” Saufley said. “This was a great ballgame, just like the first one was. That’s what you expect during playoff baseball, as good pitching tends to limit good hitting most of the time.”

Indeed it does, and Saufley was sure tested himself in each of the final four innings. Fairmont’s Jon Wilson belted a one-out double in the sixth, Alex Schmidt reached on a two-out, infield single in the seventh, and Jon Ellis created havoc by reaching on a bunt single — and advancing to second on an errant throw — to begin the eighth.

But Saufley wiggled out of trouble each time — most impressively, though, in the eighth. With Ellis standing on second base and no outs, the Martins had their 3-4-5 hitters (McGuire, Wilson and Adam Schmidt) due up.

However, Saufley struck out McGuire on a high fastball, fanned Wilson on a bending curveball, and got Schmidt to groundout to Swanson at third base.

Fairmont threatened yet again in the ninth, as Siefken ripped the first pitch he saw into right field for a lead-off single. A sacrifice bunt by Taylor Morris put the potential tying run at second.

Saufley, though, worked out of another tough spot by retiring the next two batters on K and F-9 scoring plays, as Wilmont held on for a 2-1 win.

“I have always been able to pitch myself out of jams, and it helps to have a great defense like we have,” explained Saufley. “I went to my fastball more often late in the game and just tried to make it tough for them to make solid contact. It worked out for us, and we got a big win against a very good team.”

R H E

Fair. 000 010 000 — 1 6 0

Wil. 200 000 00X — 2 8 4

FAIRMONT — Behind a solid pitching performance, the Wilmont Cardinals took a 1-0 lead in their best-of-5 series against Fairmont with a 3-2 victory in an amateur baseball playoff game Wednesday night.

Brian Beuning, a draftee from Luverne, allowed two runs (one earned) on four hits while walking one and striking out seven in a complete-game effort.

The Cardinals struck first, scoring a run in the third.

However, the Martins added two runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to take a one-run lead.

But Wilmont scored two decisive runs in the eighth for the one-run victory.

Lucas Henning, Joe Ahrens and Nate Stoll each had two hits in the game for Wilmont.

Henning was 2-for-3 with two RBI, while Ahrens was 2-for-4 with two doubles and an RBI.

Stoll was 2-for-4 and scored a run.

Jay Scheidt, Justin Saufley and Nick Ahrens each added a single for Wilmont.

The Cardinals (23-7) will host Fairmont in Game 2 at 7:30 p.m. on Friday night.

R H E

Wil. 001 000 020 — 3 9 2

Fair. 000 002 000 — 2 4 0

WILMONT — A four-run output in the bottom of the second inning helped set the tone for the top-seeded Wilmont Cardinals Friday night, as they claimed a 7-4 victory over the second-seeded Milroy Irish in an elimination game of the Gopher League amateur baseball playoffs at Butts Probst Field.

Wilmont (22-6) clinches a berth in the upcoming Region 13C tournament, joining Pipestone from the Gopher League. Jackson and Fairmont — which earned a 3-1 victory over Fox Lake on Friday — will represent the First Nite League.

Fourth-seeded Pipestone, which has not yet lost in the double-elimination tournament and defeated the Cardinals 4-3 last Friday, will host Wilmont Sunday afternoon to determine the Gopher League champion. First pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m., and Wilmont would need to claim a pair of victories over Pipestone to earn the top seed and the top draft pick for the region playoffs.

Jackson hosts Fairmont today (2 p.m.) to determine the top seed and the number-one draft pick out of the First Nite League for the region playoffs, which will likely begin Wednesday night.

Diekmann, Stoll and Kremer lead Cardinals

Wilmont will play in the region tournament for the third straight year, thanks in large part to Adam Diekmann, Nate Stoll and Steven Kremer among several others.

Diekmann twirled nine strong innings for the Cardinals, fanning 11 batters and issuing just one walk. Diekmann scattered 11 hits and allowed four runs — one earned — to notch a complete-game win on the mound.

“Adam always throws strikes and gives us a chance to win,” Wilmont player/manager Justin Saufley said after the game. “He did a really nice job tonight of limiting the damage, as Milroy did hit the ball pretty well throughout the game. But Adam worked out of some jams and kept us in the game all night.”

Stoll (2-for-4) and Kremer (2-for-3, two walks) each drove in two runs for Wilmont, including cracking back-to-back run-scoring base hits in the second inning.

An Irish error opened the door for Wilmont to score four runs in that frame, as Jay Scheidt reached on a defensive miscue with two outs and runners on first and second. Joe Ahrens (2-for-5) and Stuart Rogers led off the inning with consecutive singles before a pair of strikeouts followed.

Scheidt, who later singled in the sixth, then reached when Milroy’s first baseman dropped a throw from the shortstop on a ground ball, allowing Ahrens to score the game’s first run.

Stoll came through with a key two-run single to left-center, driving in Rogers from third and Scheidt from second to make it 3-0. Kremer then blasted an RBI double to right-center, plating Stoll to give Wilmont a quick 4-0 advantage.

“We came up with some clutch hits in key spots,” Saufley said. “We caught a break in that second inning and made the most of the extra opportunity that we had there.”

Milroy answered with a run in the top of the third on Isaac Dolan’s RBI single. Tyler Peterson (2-for-4) drew a one-out walk and later scored from second, getting the Irish on the board — trailing 4-1.

Dominic Dolan (2-for-5), Cory Madison (2-for-4) and Josh Ramos each collected a single in the first two innings for Milroy, but Diekmann fanned a trio of batters for three of his six outs in that span to keep the Irish in check.

Diekmann struck out two more batters in the fourth, working around a two-out double by Derek Riley. But the Irish broke through with a pair of runs in the fifth, trimming the gap to 4-3.

Peterson and Aaron Ogdahl (2-for-5, single in the third) led off with back-to-back singles — the seventh and eighth base hits of the game for Milroy — before Diekmann recorded a strikeout.

Andy Ogdahl then reached on a fielder’s choice, with everybody safe, to load the bases. Anthony Dolan followed with a 6-4 fielder’s choice (Rogers to Nick Ahrens), driving in Peterson from third to make it 4-2.

Anthony Dolan and Aaron Ogdahl then executed a double steal, with Dolan taking second and Ogdahl streaking home on the throw down to create a 4-3 score.

Madison followed with an infield single, but Wilmont got out of the inning when Dolan tried to score from second on the play. Diekmann, covering first base on the play, fired a strike to Kremer for the tag at the plate.

Wilmont responded with a run in the bottom half, as Saufley (2-for-4) belted a lead-off double to the fence in right-center field. Joe Ahrens drove in Saufley with a one-out RBI single to center and hustled all the way to third when the ball skipped past the center fielder.

Isaac Dolan (five innings, eight strikeouts, four walks) struck out the next two batters, stranding Ahrens at third and keeping the score at 5-3 Wilmont after five frames.

Diekmann then pitched three shutout innings, retiring nine of the 11 batters he faced in the sixth, seventh and eighth. Diekmann tossed 1-2-3 frames in the sixth and eighth — aided by a great diving catch by Joe Ahrens at first base to start the eighth — and worked out of a jam in the seventh.

Peterson (single) and Aaron Ogdahl (error) both reached to start the seventh, and Milroy’s 4-5-6 hitters were due up. But Diekmann retired the next three batters via K, F-8 and F-3 scoring plays, getting the Cardinals off the field with a 5-3 lead.

Wilmont added to that cushion in the eighth on back-to-back RBI singles from Kremer and Saufley, plating Scheidt (walk) and Stoll (single), respectively. Those run-producing base hits increased the Cardinals’ lead to 7-3 heading into the ninth.

Dominic Dolan tagged a lead-off double to left-center and later scored on an error to make it 7-4, but Diekmann completed his strong outing by inducing a ground-ball out and fanning the last two batters — sending Wilmont back to the region playoffs.

“It’s been a fun year, and we are happy to advance,” summed up Saufley. “The region tournament creates a great atmosphere with the best-of-five series, and hopefully we can continue to play well and compete favorable against either Jackson or Fairmont.”

R H E

Mil. 001 020 001 — 4 11 2

Wil. 040 010 02X — 7 10 3

 

 

 

WILMONT — Ace right-hander Justin Saufley hurled a complete-game gem, and veteran left-fielder Jesse “Muff” Teerink delivered the go-ahead RBI single in the bottom of the eighth inning Wednesday night, leading the top-seeded Wilmont Cardinals to a thrilling 3-2 victory over the third-seeded Luverne Redbirds in an elimination game of the Gopher League amateur baseball playoffs at Butts Probst Field.

Saufley (six strikeouts, two walks) and Luverne’s Andrew DeBoer (five strikeouts, four walks) were both sharp on the mound, combining to pitch 12 scoreless half innings of baseball. The other five half innings each featured one run — three for Wilmont and two for Luverne — as the Cardinals advanced in the double-elimination tournament.

Wilmont (21-6) will host the second-seeded Milroy Irish — who lost to the fourth-seeded Pipestone A’s 2-1 Wednesday — Friday night at 7:30 p.m.

The winner of that game will clinch a berth, along with Pipestone, in the upcoming Region 13C playoffs.

Luverne ends the season as the fifth club to be eliminated from the eight-team league tournament. Adrian, Hadley, Tracy and Minneota have already been knocked out of the playoffs — leaving Wilmont, Milroy and Pipestone as the only teams remaining.

“This was the most fun and intense game of the season, as playoff baseball tends to be that way this time of year,” summed up Saufley, who also serves as Wilmont’s manager. “We didn’t want our season to end tonight, and we battled all the way against a very good Luverne team. We made some great plays defensively, and “Muff” came through with the key hit to win it for us like he always seems to do in clutch situations.”

Teerink’s game-winning base hit came on a 1-2 count with two outs and the bases loaded in the bottom of the eighth inning, as the veteran slapped a ground ball the other way into the hole between first and second base and into right field. Pinch-runner Brandon Schroeder scored from third on the play, snapping a 2-2 tie and putting Wilmont up by a run.

“I just stuck my bat out and was able to get it past a diving effort by the first baseman,” explained Teerink, who is the longest tenured player for Wilmont. “What a great game this was that had two of the best pitchers in the area dueling against each other. It was just a lot of fun to be a part of, and we’re happy to have the chance to play at least one more time.”

Saufley’s RBI single, five scoreless innings help Wilmont take 2-0 lead

Saufley worked a 1-2-3 frame on 12 pitches in the top of the first, fanning a pair of batters and inducing a ground-ball out to second baseman Nick Ahrens — who had four assists and three putouts in the game.

Wilmont then scored in the bottom half to take a quick 1-0 lead. Lucas Henning (2-for-4, single in the third) landed a one-out single into left field and later scored from second on Saufley’s RBI single to get the Cardinals on the board.

Luverne’s Zach Olson and Brian Beuning (2-for-4) cracked back-to-back singles to begin the second, but a nifty 6-4-3 double play — shortstop Adam Diekmann to Nick Ahrens to first baseman Joe Ahrens — helped Saufley wiggle out of that early jam.

The Cardinals nearly doubled their lead in the bottom half, as Diekmann (2-for-3) ripped a lead-off single up the middle and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Stuart Rogers. Teerink (2-for-4) followed with a single to center, but Zack Clark was there to field the softly-hit ball and fire a strike to Beuning at the plate — cutting down Diekmann, who was waved around third, on a close play.

Luverne made another great defensive play in the third, as third baseman Tim Connell gloved a hard smash down the line off the bat of designated hitter Jay Scheidt and threw across the diamond for the out.

Wilmont’s second-inning action was then duplicated in the fourth, with Diekmann smacking a lead-off single and moving to second on another sacrifice bunt by Rogers. But this time, Nate Stoll belted a two-out, RBI double to right-center that plated Diekmann from third for a 2-0 Cardinals’ lead.

Saufley tossed scoreless frames in each of the third, fourth and fifth frames, working around a lead-off single by DeBoer in the third and a one-out walk to Connell in the fifth. Saufley induced a trio of ground-ball outs — including a diving play by Joe Ahrens — in a 1-2-3 fourth and then started a 1-6-3 double play on a comebacker in the fifth.

Luverne scores twice, threatens to take lead; Saufley limits damage

Both of the runs that Luverne scored were unearned, coming after the only two errors that Wilmont committed in the game. The Redbirds scored their first run in the sixth, as the speedy Clark reached on a one-out error and promptly stole second base.

An infield single by Tony Sandbulte (2-for-4) and an RBI fielder’s choice groundout off the bat of James Fisher ensued, as Clark scored to make it 2-1. A diving catch by Stoll — on a line drive hit by Olson — in center field was next, as Wilmont held onto the lead.

DeBoer worked his only 1-2-3 innings back-to-back — in the sixth and seventh — to keep the score a one-run difference. Eleven of the 24 outs that DeBoer recorded in eight innings came as a result of ground balls.

The momentum seemed to be tilting Luverne’s way at the plate, as well. Beuning and Connell both singled in the seventh, and the Redbirds broke through with another run in the eighth to tie the game.

Taylor Van Santen reached on an error to start the inning. A passed ball and an infield single by Clark allowed Van Santen to advance to third, where he scored from when Sandbulte laced an RBI single into left field.

With the score tied at two runs apiece and a pair of runners on with no outs, it appeared that Luverne might break the game open — especially with the middle of the Redbirds’ order due up.

Saufley, though, fanned the next batter for the first out. Nick Ahrens then made a dandy of a play on a ground ball up the middle, getting a force out at second and leaving runners at the corners with two outs before Stoll hauled in a fly ball for the third out.

“That was big to get out of there allowing just one run,” Saufley said. “That’s what I wanted to do after the first three batters reached that inning, and I liked our chances of winning if the game was still tied. It worked out for us.”

Catcher Steven Kremer and Saufley (2-for-2, two walks) led off the bottom of the eighth with consecutive singles, with Schroeder and Tanner Loosbrock inserted as pinch-runners, respectively. Joe Ahrens advanced the runners with a sacrifice bunt, and Diekmann was intentionally walked to load the bases with one out.

DeBoer notched a key strikeout for the second out and then got up 1-2 on Teerink, but “Muff” knocked the next pitch into right field to score Schroeder and give Wilmont a 3-2 lead.

Saufley issued a lead-off walk to Tanner Skattum in the ninth, and Connell laid down a sacrifice bunt. With a runner on second and one out, DeBoer hit a hard smash up the middle that Saufley got a glove on before Nick Ahrens fielded behind second base and fired to a stretching Joe Ahrens for the out at first.

Saufley, who is now 9-0 on the mound, then stranded the potential tying run at third when he struck out the next batter on an off-speed pitch, recording the third out of the inning and the 27th out of the game — keeping the Cardinals’ season alive.

R H E

Luv. 000 001 010 — 2 8 0

Wil. 100 100 01X — 3 10 2

WILMONT — After Tracy scored four runs in the top of the sixth to pull within one run on the scoreboard Sunday afternoon, the top-seeded Wilmont Cardinals answered with six runs in the bottom half of the frame and went on to claim an 11-4 victory over the seventh-seeded Express in an elimination game of the Gopher League amateur baseball playoffs.

Wilmont (20-6) advances in the double-elimination tournament and will host third-seeded Luverne Wednesday night at 7:30 p.m.

Joe Ahrens pitched the first six innings for the Cardinals and was credited with the win, allowing four earned runs on seven hits and two walks while striking out six batters. Lucas Henning (two innings, four strikeouts) and Stuart Rogers (one inning) finished up on the mound for Wilmont.

Steven Kremer (2-for-4, three RBIs), Jesse Teerink (2-for-3, two runs), Nate Stoll (2-for-4) and Justin Saufley (1-for-4, two RBIs) were the top performing hitters for Wilmont, which increased a 5-4 lead into an 11-4 advantage with six runs in the bottom of the sixth inning.

Jason Minett was 4-for-4 to lead Tracy at the plate, while Robbie Slinkman was 2-for-4 with a pair of RBIs.

R H E

Tracy 000 004 000 — 4 7 0

Wil. 140 006 00X — 11 11 0

WILMONT — For seven innings, the Wilmont Cardinals were in control of Friday night’s amateur baseball game.

But the final two frames proved to be the difference.

Pipestone scored three runs in the eighth and added a run in the ninth to take a 4-3 victory.

Matt Paulson led off the ninth by drawing a walk for the A’s and Jon Schelhaas followed with an RBI double, which ended up being the game’s decisive run.

Lewis Valt had a key two-run double in the eighth to tie the score at 3-all.

Doug Mead added an RBI single for the A’s.

Bryce Beyers earned the victory on the hill. After giving up two first-inning runs, Beyers allowed one more run while scattering eight hits and striking out eight in eight innings. Paulson earned the save in relief.

Adam Diekmann suffered the loss for Wilmont (19-6). He allowed two earned runs on seven hits while walking one and striking out nine in a complete-game effort.

Jesse Teerink was 2-for-4 with a run scored to lead the Cardinals, while Steven Kremer was 2-for-3 with an RBI.

Jay Scheidt and Lucas Henning each had a hit and scored a run, while Diekmann had an RBI in the game.

Wilmont will host Tracy on Sunday at 2pm in the next round of playoffs.

R H E

Pipe. 000 000 031 — 4 7 2

Wil. 200 001 000 — 3 8 2

 WILMONT- Justin Saufley struck out 16 batters and didn’t allow a walk, leading Wilmont past Minnesota in an amateur baseball playoff game.

Saufley scattered two hits in seven innings.

Adam Diekmann threw the final inning and struck out one.

At the plate, Saufley was 3-for-4 with an RBI.

Jay Scheidt was 2-for-5 and drove in a run, while Diekmann was 1-for-3 and drove in two.

Joe Ahrens had an RBI double in the game.

Wilmont will continue playoff action Friday night against either Pipestone or Adrian.

R H E

Minn. 000 000 00 — 0 2 2

Wil. 000 103 41 — 10 11 0

WILMONT — Sparked by Adam Diekmann’s 4-for-4 performance at the plate Friday night, the Wilmont Cardinals pounded out 14 hits and claimed a 10-5 victory over the Southwest Barnstormers in an amateur baseball game at Butts Probst Field.

The Barnstormers, who are a team comprised of area players ages 35 and older, were playing a bit short-handed against the Cardinals — the team sitting atop the Gopher League standings with a 15-3 league record (16-5 overall).

But it was a very special night for one player on the visiting team, who was competing on a field that he called home for 24 seasons in uniform and many more years as a youngster growing up watching Wilmont baseball.

Sam Baumgartner, who played for the Cardinals from 1986 through 2009 and now plays for the Barnstormers, was honored with a pre-game ceremony that featured lots of high praise from former teammate Jeff Appel. Many former teammates were on hand for the event, as Wilmont retired Baumgartner’s number — 2 — and presented him with a framed Cardinals’ jersey.

“I really appreciated that,” said Baumgartner, who started playing with Wilmont after his sophomore year of high school. “It was a lot of fun playing for Wilmont over the years, and I have so many great memories and friendships as a result of my experiences. I can’t thank my teammates enough for thinking this highly of me, and it’s really an honor to be a part of something special like Wilmont baseball the way that I have for so long.”

Baumgartner was the starting pitcher and batted lead-off for the Barnstormers Friday night, striking out four batters in three innings of work and finishing 1-for-4 with an RBI single and a run scored at the plate.

“We’re excited for Sam and happy to be involved in a great night of baseball,” Barnstormers manager Tarry Boelter said. “Give Wilmont credit for playing well and also for getting the field ready to go, as they worked hard to make this thing possible. There was a nice crowd on-hand, and I think it was a pretty good ballgame by both teams.”

Diekmann leads Wilmont in the field and at the plate; Barnstormers rally to tie the score

Baumgartner led off the game with a sharp ground ball up the middle and appeared to have a lead-off single, but Diekmann — playing shortstop for the Cardinals — made an incredible diving stop behind second base and fired a throw to first from his knees to record the initial out of the night.

That was the first of six straight outs to begin the game for Wilmont starter Ryan Swanson (five innings, eight strikeouts, four walks), who fanned four batters — starting with a 1-1 count (35-and-older rules) — in a pair of 1-2-3 frames.

Wilmont then scored five runs on five hits in the bottom of the second inning, as Stuart Rogers smashed a lead-off single to left field and advanced to second when the ball was misplayed. Diekmann followed with his first hit of the night, delivering an RBI single to left field and plating Rogers to make it 1-0.

Nick Ahrens later reached on an error before Nate Stoll (single), Lucas Henning (single) and Steven Kremer (double) laced three consecutive run-scoring base hits. Diekmann, Ahrens and Stoll each scored to make it 4-0, and Henning later scored on an RBI sacrifice fly off the bat of Justin Saufley to give the Cardinals an early 5-0 lead.

The Barnstormers, though, answered right back with five runs of their own in the top of the third. Todd Armstrong (2-for-2) of Windom started and finished the five-run output, cracking a lead-off single and scoring, and later ripping an RBI single to drive in the team’s fifth run of the frame.

In-between Armstrong’s base hits, the Barnstormers drew four walks and smashed two more singles to help even the score. Appel (run), Chuck Sendelbach (run), Jeff Rogers (RBI, run) and Kevin Nowotny (RBI) each coaxed a free pass, while Baumgartner (run) and Dan Blankenship (2-for-4) both drilled an RBI single to highlight the action for the Barnstormers.

“It’s always fun playing these guys,” said Saufley, who serves as Wilmont’s manager. “They battled right back after we took the lead, and it was a fun game to be a part of. It was an awesome night to honor Sam, who has done more for and meant more to Wilmont baseball than maybe anyone else has ever.”

Cardinals stretch lead back to five runs, hold Barnstormers scoreless

Wilmont scored once in the bottom of the third, taking a 6-5 lead on an RBI single to center by Tanner Loosbrock (2-for-3). Diekmann blooped a one-out double down the left-field line and scored to put the Cardinals back on top.

The Cardinals scored three times in the fourth, as Henning (2-for-3) belted a lead-off double and scored on an RBI double by Brandon Diekmann (2-for-2) to make it 7-5. Adam Diekmann and Loosbrock added back-to-back RBI singles later in the inning, increasing the gap to 9-5.

Wilmont closed the game’s scoring in the sixth, as Brandon Schroeder reached on a fielder’s choice and scored on the first hit of the season for Ahrens — an RBI single up the middle that made it 10-5. Both Diekmann brothers — Brandon and Adam — had a base hit in the inning, as well.

Swanson and Stuart Rogers each pitched a pair of scoreless innings the rest of the way (after the third). Swanson allowed just a two-out single to Blankenship in the fifth, while Rogers (three strikeouts) worked around walks to Armstrong in the sixth and Nowotny in the seventh.

Nowotny hurled the final three innings for the Barnstormers, starting a 1-2-3 double play to end the fourth and twirling a perfect fifth frame.

Both teams play Sunday, as Wilmont hosts Adrian at 2 p.m. The Barnstormers (3-2-1) play in Searles, also at 2 p.m.

R H E

SW 005 000 0 — 5 5 2

Wilmont 051 301 X — 10 14 0

Wilmont 8, Minneota 4

WILMONT — Adam Diekmann (five strikeouts, no walks) hurled seven strong innings Sunday, leading the Wilmont Cardinals to a victory over the Minneota Mudhens in the first game of a Gopher League home doubleheader.

Joe Ahrens (third inning) and Tanner Loosbrock (sixth inning) each tagged a two-run home run for Wilmont, while Lucas Henning (RBI, two runs) and Nate Stoll (two runs) each cracked two hits.

R H E

Minneota 002 101 0 — 4 11 1

Wilmont 004 022 X — 8 10 0

Wilmont 10, Milroy 3

WILMONT — Justin Saufley (six strikeouts, no walks) also tossed seven strong innings Sunday, as Wilmont topped the Milroy Irish in the nightcap of a Gopher League doubleheader.

Adam Diekmann (three RBIs) and Joe Ahrens (RBI, three runs) were each 2-for-3, while Saufley (HR two RBIs) and Jesse Teerink (RBI) each had a base hit.

Wilmont (14-5, 14-3) plays at Pipestone on Tuesday night.

R H E

Milroy 001 001 1 — 3 8 1

Wilmont 200 323 X — 10 11 0

Wilmont 9, Windom 5

WINDOM — A trio of players had two hits as Wilmont defeated Windom in an amateur baseball game Wednesday night.

Lucas Henning, Justin Saufley and Adam Diekmann were each 2-for-4 with an RBI to lead the Cardinals.

Joe Ahrens picked up the victory on the hill. He allowed no runs on one hit while walking two and striking out three in three and two-thirds innings.

He came on in relief of Nick Ahrens, who threw four and one-third innings.

Saufley finished the game on the hill. He allowed one hit while striking out one in one inning.

Nick Kulseth suffered the loss for the Pirates. He came on in relief of starter Charlie Dunnink.

Brett Mattson was 4-for-4 to lead Windom at the plate, while Kirby Johnson was 2-for-5. Matt Anderson was 1-for-5, but had a two-run double in the third inning.

R H E

Wil. 000 040 401 — 9 10 2

Win. 013 010 000 — 5 11 2

WILMONT — Adam Diekmann silenced Hadley’s bats Wednesday night in an amateur baseball game.

Diekmann allowed one run on four hits while striking out eight in a complete-game gem, leading Wilmont to a 4-1 victory against the Buttermakers.

Zach Bruns suffered the loss for Hadley. He allowed four runs while striking out 10 in eight innings.

Eric Wieneke had two hits to lead the Buttermakers, while Bruns added an RBI double in the fourth inning.

Steven Kremer was 1-for-2 with a run scored and two walks for the Cardinals (11-2), while Tanner Loosbrock added an RBI fielder’s choice.

Lucas Henning had a single and scored a run for Wilmont, which will travel to Jackson on Friday night.

R H E

Had. 000 100 000 — 1 5 3

Wil. 000 120 01X — 4 4 0

WILMONT — If Justin Saufley had any doubts about receiving enough run support to pick up the victory for Wilmont in an amateur baseball game against the Luverne Redbirds on Tuesday, his teammates extinguished them in the third inning.

The Cardinals scored 10 runs in the frame, setting up an eventual 15-2 victory in seven innings.

Saufley (five innings pitched, one earned run, four strikeouts) picked up the win and Joe Ahrens (two innings, one earned run, four strikeouts) finished the game in relief.

Steven Kramer made a big impact on offense for Wilmont by going 1-for-4 with four RBIs and two runs scored. Adam Diekmann was 2-for-2 with an RBI and two walks, Stuart Rogers was 2-for-3 with two RBIs and two runs scored and Jay Scheidt was 1-for-1.

The Cardinals (10-2) host Hadley today.

R H E

Luv. 000 010 1 — 2 7 3

Wil. 00(10) 302 X — 15 9 1

 

Saufley and defense Stun Lakers!

Mt Lake 1, Wilmont 4

Justin Saufley was nearly perfect! As he just misses the perfect game pitching 8 2/3 perfect innings and stuns the Mt Lake Lakers in the complete game victory!

Saufley helped himself at the dish going 2-4 with and RBI and a run scored. Lucas Henning was 3-5 with and RBI and also scored a run. Joe Ahrens added a double in two plate appearances, while Ryan Swanson was 1-1 with and RBI, and Tanner Loosbrock scored two runs. Cards also swiped two bags as a team in the well fought victory! 

Mt Lake 000 000 001 - 1 2 3

Wilmont 002 001 10X - 4 10 1

Wilmont 2, Milroy 1

MARSHALL — Adam Diekmann threw a complete-game gem as Wilmont won a close game against Milroy Saturday.

Diekmann allowed one run on six hits while walking two and striking out 14 in nine innings. He was also 3-for-4 with an RBI at the plate.

Nate Harberts had a hit and scored a run, while Brandon Diekmann and Lucas Henning each had a hit and scored a run.

R H E

Wil. 000 000 110 — 2 8 0

Mil. 001 000 000 — 1 6 2

Wilmont 5, Fox Lake 3

WILMONT — Justin Saufley, Stuart Rogers and Tanner Loosbrock each drove in a run, leading the Cardinals to a two-run victory on Sunday afternoon.

Steven Kremer led Wilmont with two hits and two RBI, while Joe Ahrens had a double.

Ahrens picked up the victory on the hill in two innings of relief of Nick Ahrens (four innings, two strikeouts). Saufley also threw one inning.

R H E

FL 000 021 0 — 3 4 1

Wil. 100 013 X — 5 8 1

Fairmont 9, Wilmont 3

WILMONT — The Cardinals only pitched to Fairmont’s Pete Bissen one time.

He made it count.

Bissen hit a grand slam in his only official at-bat, leading the Martins to a victory against Wilmont.

Nate Harberts suffered the loss, while Justin Saufley and Ryan Swanson each threw in relief.

Joe Ahrens had an RBI single, while Adam Diekmann added an RBI.

Lucas Henning had a single and scored a run, while Saufley and Steven Kremer each scored a run.

The Cardinals (7-2) will travel to Pipestone on Friday.

R H E

Fair. 005 102 1 — 9 11 3

Wil. 200 010 0 — 3 2 4

Cardinals churn Buttermakers!

Wilmont 8, Hadley 2

HADLEY — Wilmont’s Justin Saufley pitched seven shutout innings and hit a two-run home run to lead his team to a comfortable win against Hadley on Sunday.

Saufley (six hits, seven strikeouts) picked up the win, with Joe Ahrens (two innings pitched, two hits, three strikeouts) finishing out the game on the mound for the Cardinals.

Zach Bruns, Alex Van’t Hof and Luke Schneider combined on the mound for the Buttermakers.

Stuart Rogers was 3-for-4 on the day for Wilmont, Steven Kremer was 2-for-4 with a double and an RBI and Lucas Henning and Jesse Teerink each recorded a double. Saufley finished 3-for-4 at the plate.

Alex Petersen led Hadley by going 3-for-4 at the dish with a double and an RBI and Max Zwart also recorded a double.

The Buttermakers (3-3, 2-2) are at Adrian on Wednesday and at Pipestone on Thursday.

R H E

Wilm. 400 002 020 — 8 13 3

Hadley 000 000 002 — 2 8 0

Wilmont smokes express!

WILMONT — Wilmont’s pitchers almost completely shut down Tracy’s attack and the Cardinals’ batters were close to unstoppable in a 19-0 amateur baseball victory on Thursday.

Nate Harberts (five innings pitched, 10 strikeouts), Joe Ahrens (one inning pitched, two strikeouts) and Nick Ahrens (one inning pitched, three strikeouts) combined on a two-hitter for Wilmont on the mound.

Steven Kremer led the Cardinals’ attack with a three-run homer (3-for-5, five RBI), Adam Diekmann was 2-for-3 with three RBI, Tanner Loosbrock was 3-for-5 with two RBI and both Justin Saufley,Ryan Swanson and Brandon Diekmann recorded two hits apiece.

Wilmont (4-1) plays at Pipestone on Sunday.

 

 

Wilmont thumps Mudhens!!   

 

The Wilmont Cardinals opened their 2011 season on a winning note, by drilling the Minneota Mudhens 10-0. After a slow first 5 innings Wilmonts bats came to life. Collecting 10 runs on 9 hits and 11 walks, that proved to be more than enough run support for starter Justin Saufley. Saufley went 6 innings striking out 6, walking 0 and allowed only 1 hit. Nate Harberts and Adam Diekman threw the remaining 3 innings combining for 7 k's. Brandon Diekman, Steven Kremer, Jesse Teerink and Saufley each had 2 hits while Ryan Swanson added a single. Tanner Loosebrock walked 3 times and collected a pair of rbi. Wilmont travels to Heron Lake Sunday for a 2:00 affair.

 

 

 

SATURDAY MAY 21ST!!! WILMONT HOME OPENER VS ADRIAN 2:00 PM !!!

 

 

There are extra hats and window decals if you are interested....

3/21/10
Check out the team store at the link on the left hand side of the screen!!  Now updated for ALL your apparel needs, blankets, household items, etc.  The Wilmont Logo is now available to be on pretty much anything you want.  Click on any item and it brings you to the main store where you can adjust designs and styles on anything and see how it looks immediately. There are many styles and choices available