The Austin All-Stars Jaycees 12 & Under baseball team finished first in the MSF State Championships this past weekend in Owatonna. The Jaycees went 6-0 and outscored their opponents 68-10 in the 24-team state tournament.

In game one the All-Stars set the tone by pummeling Lynnhurst 24-0 in a shortened four-inning game. John Rumpza started on the mound pitching two innings and was relieved by Jake Reinartz. The pair combined on the shutout giving up only two hits and struck out five in the four innings.

Jordan Hart led the hitting attack going 3-for-3 with a home run while Jonah Rohne, Rumpza, Josh Anderson and Trevor Stevens each collected two hits.

In game two the Jaycees faced Willmar All Stars in the final pool game and came away with a hard fought 3-1 win. Sam Swenson, Jacob Kempen and Nick Gasner each pitched two innings allowing four hits and striking out 10 Willmar batters.

In the fourth inning after a Rumpza walk, Hart and Nathan Conner had back to back singles to plate the final two runs securing the win.

In game three the All Stars were seeking revenge for their only regular season loss to Springfield. The Tigers defeated Austin in their first tournament of the year 4-3 in a championship game.

“When the boys saw the schedule for the state tournament all they kept talking about was revenge for the loss in Albert Lea against Springfield” Austin coach Tom Wiechmann said. “We knew it would be a great game going in and it was.”

The Austin All-Stars came away with a 3-1 win. Jonah Rohne, Rumpza and Gasner all pitched in the game. They allowed only one run and gave up two hits while striking out eight.

The game was scoreless after three and the Jaycees came up with two runs in the fourth inning. Sam Swenson singled and advanced to second on a ground out. Jacob Kempen then walked and both were plated by a triple by Hart

“That was one of Jordan’s huge hits he had this weekend he really came through for us with a couple of bombs,” Wiechmann said.

The final run came in the fifth when Gasner singled, stole second and was driven home by a single by Josh Anderson. The Tigers threatened in the top of the sixth scoring one and having two runners in scoring position but Gasner struck out the final batter to end the threat. “Getting that insurance run in the fifth inning was big as we could play for outs and not have to worry about giving up one or two runs.” said Wiechmann.

In game four quarter finals the Jaycees faced Lake Elmo and disposed of them 17-0. Gasner, Kempen, Josiah Rohne and Reinartz pitched in the contest, striking out six and allowing only three hits. Gasner and Josiah Rohne paced the team at the plate each going 3-for-3. Hart and Daniel Bollingberg each collected a pair of hits.

In the semi finals the Jaycees faced a tough Glencoe/Spring Lake team and came away with a come from behind 4-2 win.

Trailing in the fifth inning 2-1 Hart walked and was moved to second on a ground out by Conner, after a Gasner walk Josh Anderson laced a line drive double down the left field line to plate Hart and tie the game. In the sixth inning Trevor Stevens started the inning with a base hit. He was moved to third on an attempted sacrifice but a throwing error by GSL left Stevens on third with one out. Reinartz then stroked a base hit to plate Stevens and scored when Jason Stoulil hit a double to right center gap.

Rumpza and Gasner each pitched two and a part innings and Kempen came in to close out the game not allowing a base runner and striking out one.

“Jon, Nick and Jacob pitched very well and they needed to for us to get this win and get into the Championship. GSL was a solid club from top to bottom I’m proud of the boys on their comeback. They never gave up.” Wiechmann said.

In the Championship game against Shakopee the Jaycees exploded for 12 runs in the second inning and never looked back. They smashed out 10 hits (6 consecutive, 3 extra bases) in that inning. Conner and Gasner each went 3-for-3 while Jonah Rohne and Kempen had two hits. Nick Gasner pitched three innings as did Jacob Kempen. Josiah Rohne came in relief of Kempen in the sixth inning to record the final two outs to end the game.

The Jaycees ended their season with five tournament championships, including the Austin International Tournament, a 34-2 record and they outscored their opponents 418-58 throughout the season. They will have their end of the year banquet this Friday at Holiday Park in Hayward.