Two strong pitching performances have put American Legion Post 91 into the championship game of their own tournament, the Post 91 Classic 2000.

Sunday, July 09, 2000

Two strong pitching performances have put American Legion Post 91 into the championship game of their own tournament, the Post 91 Classic 2000. On Thursday night at Marcusen Park, it was Joe Huffman on the hill. He beat Rosemount 2-1. On Saturday afternoon, Nick Rohne toed the rubber, pitching a five-hitter against Faribault. Austin came away with a 3-1 victory.

Rohne struck out six and walked one in the contest.

Austin had as much trouble against the Faribault pitcher as Faribault did against Rohne. Faribault’s crafty lefty, Mike Wilferht, kept the Austin bats silent through the first four innings of play, not allowing a hit.

"Faribault’s pitcher wasn’t a real hard thrower and we had a hard time waiting on his pitches," Austin coach Mike Raso said. "We also had a tough time with the ball tailing away from us with the lefty."

Syd Schramm finally got the Austin offense going with a lead off single in the fifth. Nate Hansen sacrificed him to second and Mark Toov brought Schramm home with a single to right. That tied the score at one apiece.

"Toov is a kid who can wait on the pitch," Raso said. "He will take a strike."

Austin then scored two more in the sixth with the big play a one-out squeeze bunt by Huffman. Pinch hitter Jeff Kvam started this inning off with a single to left and would come around to score the tying run.

"That’s my job," ‘designated scorer’ Kvam said. "To make things happen and run around the bases.

Kvam stole second. Jamie Morrison then coaxed a walk. Josh Kunze grounded to short and Morrison was forced out at second. With runners on first and third, Raso called for the squeeze. Huffman laid down a perfect bunt. Pinch runner Andy Brede went to third. Huffman then stole second. The throw trying to catch him stealing was off target and Brede raced home for an insurance run.

The Legion (15-10) now plays the winner of last night’s semifinals game between Osseo and Maple Grove at 6 tonight for the title of the Post 91 Classic 2000. The Legion also will play at 10 a.m. today against Minneapolis Post 1.

"We guaranteed three games for every team in the tournament," Raso said. "With Rochester dropping out, we have to play an extra game."

At 12:30 p.m., Rosemount will play North St. Paul for fifth place. The third-place game involving Faribault goes off at about 3 p.m.

Faribault 001 000 0-1 5 1

Austin 000 012 x-3 4 2

Wilferht and Hartman; Rohne and Kunze. 2B- FAR: Paquette.