The Austin Post 1216 VFW baseball team turned its last game at Marcusen Park this summer into a lasting memory as it clinched a spot in the VFW state tournament.

Austin beat Rochester Mayo 4-3in eight innings in the District finals Sunday.

Austin (31-5 overall) sealed the win when Nate Conner hit a one-out, bases loaded pop out that was called an infield fly rule, but Mayo never picked up the ball and Shane Johannsen made a heads up base-running play and sprinted home to score the winning run in the bottom of the eighth.

Jake Reinartz picked up the clinching win as he struck out eight and allowed just two earned runs in eight innings.

“The kids played great. We had great pitching and great defense,” Austin head coach Joe Ciola said. “We only had two errors in three games in tournament play, which is outstanding. I’m very proud of all of the ball players. They worked hard all year long and this proves hard work will help you accomplish goals that you set.”

Austin will begin state tournament play in Brainerd Aug. 7 at 10:30 a.m. against the winner of District 7.

Austin edged out Owatonna 4-3 in a semifinal game Saturday.

Daniel Bollingberg pitched the win and he also knocked in a run in the win.

Austin opened the tournament on a strong note as it beat Albert Lea 11-1 in six innings Saturday.

Reinartz picked up the mound win and he provided a bulk of the offense as he smashed two triples and knocked in a pair of runs.

Johannsen also had two RBIs in the win.

The Austin VFW last made it to the state tournament in 2010 and the team won a state title in 2009.

 

Austin 4, Mayo 3

Austin pitching: Jake Reinartz (W) 8 IP, 6 H, 1 BB, 3 R, 2 ER, 8 K

Austin hitting: Trevor Stevens, 1-for-4; Dylan Gasner, 1-for-3, 2 BBs; Daniel Bollingberg, 4-for-4, BB; Nate Conner, 1-for-5, 2 RBIs; Alex Ciola 1-for-4, RBI; Brandon Bickell, 0-for-3, BB; Jason Stoulil, 1-for-4, RBI; Riley Olson, 1-for-2, BB; Shane Johannsen, 1-for-2, 2 BBs

Austin 4, Owatonna 3

Austin pitching: Bollingberg (W) 7 IP, 3 H, 3 BB, 3 ER, 5 K

Austin hitting: Gasner, 1-fo3, BB; Bollingberg, 1-for-2, RBI, BB; Conner, 2-for-2, BB, RBI; Ciola, 1-for3, RBI; Bickell, 1-for-3; Johannsen, 1-for-3, RBI; Reinartz, 1-for-2, BB

Austin 11, AL 1 (6 innings)

Austin pitching: Jake Reinartz (W) 4 IP, 4 H, 3 BB, 0 R, 3 K; Trevor Stevens, 2 IP, 2 H, 4 BB, 1 ER, 1 K

Austin hitting: Stevens, 2-for-3, R, BB; Daniel Bollingberg, 0-for-3, BB; Nate Conner, 0-for-3, R, SB, BB; Alex Ciola, 1-for-3, double, 2 R; Brandon Bickell, 2-for-3, RBI, 3 R, BB; Jason Stoulil, 1-for-3, double, 3 RBIs; Shane Johannsen, 1-for-3, 2 RBIs, R, BB; Reinartz, 2-for-3, 2 triples, 2 RBIs, R; Garett Ruroden, R; Riley Olson, BB