Hulne: Austin Post 1216 has enjoyed a solid summer
Published 9:50 pm Monday, July 28, 2014
The Austin Post 1216 VFW baseball team recently clinched a trip to the state tournament. Back Row: (left to right): coach Mark Conner, VFW representative Al Landherr, Evan Horstmann, Evan McAlister, Eli Kaercher, Brandon Bickell, Trevor Stevens, Garett Ruroden, Pete Conner, coach Rick Stoulil, Forrest Lewis and head coach Joe Ciola; front row: Jake Reinartz, Dylan Gasner, Daniel Bollingberg, Jason Soulil, Alex Ciola, Riley Olson, Shane Johannsen and Nate Conner. — Photo Provided by Faye Bollingberg
The Austin Post 1216 VFW baseball team is headed to the state tournament in Brainerd next week and the success it has had is the result of the hard work the team has put in.
The team has a lot of players that are serious about baseball and even more serious about competing. Austin has won 29 of its last 32 games and it has shown it can win close games and blowouts.
When you watch Post 1216 play baseball, you’re going to see consistent effort and you’re going to see smart baseball. Austin head coach Joe Ciola has done a great job of keeping the squad motivated throughout a long summer with a busy schedule.
It’ll be interesting to watch these players’ develop over the next two years and Austin’s baseball future could be a bright one if the players continue to put in the time it takes to get even better.
Austin’s Legion baseball team also had a quality season this summer as it finished in second place in the District tournament.
Of course the VFW team isn’t done playing yet and hopefully it can finish things on a strong note when it plays in the state tournament.