New Ulm Cathedral tops United South Central in Section 2A baseball

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New Ulm Cathedral's Dan Blackstad is congratulated by coach Bob Weier after hitting a home run in the sixth inning of their Section 2A baseball tournament game against United South Central Saturday at Franklin Rogers Park. Pat Christman

June 2, 2012

New Ulm Cathedral tops United South Central in Section 2A baseball

Greyhounds one win from state tournament

By Chad Courrier Free Press Staff Writer The Mankato Free Press Sat Jun 02, 2012, 11:54 PM CDT

MANKATO — United South Central had just closed the gap to 3-2 in the top of the sixth, and New Ulm Cathedral’s Dan Blackstad came to the plate with one out in the bottom of the inning.

He hadn’t hit any home runs this season so he was just trying to get on base, hoping to start a rally that might provide some security in the Section 2A winners’ bracket finals at Franklin Rogers Park.

“I think it was a curveball,” Blackstad said, grinning widely. “I just wanted to make solid contact, and I did.”

Blackstad launched the solo homer over the right-field fence, and the Greyhounds moved into the championship game with a 5-2 victory Saturday.

Cathedral coach Bob Weier said that since his team defeated Sleep Eye St. Mary’s earlier in the tournament, he’s seen a different focus from the players.

“We have nine seniors on the team, and they realize what an opportunity they have here,” Weier said. “This is their last go-round, and they’re taking advantage of that.”

Cathedral’s first three runs were unearned, and two scored without a hit. In the second inning, Blackstad walked, took second on a wild pitch and scored on an error. In the third, Jordan Guggisberg walked, stole second, took third on Drew Pfaff’s sacrifice and scored on a wild pitch.

Pat Brock reached on an error, stole second and scored on another error.

“That made it easier on (pitcher Ben Wolf) to get those extra runs,” Blackstad said. “He could relax and throw strikes.”

Wolf cruised through the USC order in the first five innings, allowing only three two-out singles. In the sixth, long doubles to center by Trey Allis, Steven Voigt and Kyle Bauman plated two runs.

Blackstad led off the bottom of the sixth with his home run, and Cathedral added another run when Eric Hauser walked, stole second and scored on Jake Stadick’s single.

Wolf finished the game, allowing six hits and one walk with three strikeouts. It was his third victory of the section tournament.

“He’s been our guy all season,” Weier said. “He throws strikes. We usually get good pitching, and we rely on our defense. We took advantage of some mistakes today.”

Cathedral (19-5) faces BOLD in the championship game at 5 p.m. Tuesday at Franklin Rogers Park.

In elimination games Saturday, BOLD defeated Waterville-Elysian-Morristown 6-2 in eight innings, then downed USC 5-0 to reach the finals, needing to beat Cathedral twice.

“It’s pretty exciting,” Blackstad said. “But we won’t think about (the state tournament) too much. We’ll come here Tuesday, thinking about getting a win.”

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