Bollingberg continues strong play as Post 91 racks up 7th straight win

Published 9:41 pm Thursday, July 6, 2017

After Pacelli grad Dan Bollingberg spent his spring focused on improving in his first year of college baseball, he’s been spending his summer playing as much baseball as he possibly can.

Bollingberg, who played in 12 games in his freshman season at the University of St. Thomas, has stepped up for the Austin Post 91 Legion baseball team and the Austin Greyhounds this summer. Bollingberg had a double, an RBI, and he scored three runs as Post 91 beat Kasson 10-0 in five innings to win its seventh straight game in Marcusen Park Thursday.

Austin Post 91 shortstop Dan Bollingberg leaps for a line drive against Kasson in Marcusen Park Thursday. Rocky Hulne/sports@austindailyherald.com

“Tons of baseball is always is always a good thing. The at bats and reps have been fun,” Bollingberg said.

Email newsletter signup

Bollingberg was 2-for-21 this past spring in his freshman season for the Tommies (29-18 overall) and he had a fielding percentage of 87. He’s focused on improving his game this summer.

“[My freshman year] was fun, it was a lot of work,” Bollingberg said. “It was basically what I expected, it was baseball 24-7. I improved on a lot of things, and I’ve still got some things to work on. It was a good experience.”

Phillip Zynda slides into third base for the Austin Post 91 baseball team against Kasson in Marcusen Park Thursday. Rocky Hulne/sports@austindailyherald.com

Bollingberg and Austin grad Alex Ciola, who played at Riverland Community College this past spring, have both provided solid experience this summer for Austin (10-2 overall). Both players were members of the state qualifying Post 91 team in the summer of 2015.

Austin head coach Joe Kroc said having Bollingberg and Ciola around has been a big plus for the team.

“It’s helped them just from a preparation standpoint,” Kroc said. “Watching Dan in the cage, I think it’s sort of an eye opener for some of the guys. I think as far as leadership goes, it’s a huge help for our guys that are going to be seniors next year and that’s part of the reason I wanted those guys to come out.”

Riley Retterath attempts to scoop up a grounder for Austin Post 91 against Kasson in Marcusen Park Thursday. Rocky Hulne/sports@austindailyherald.com

Phillip Zynda, who went three-for-three with three RBIs Thursday, said it’s been a big boost to have veteran leadership this summer.

“Having those guys come back is great,” Zynda said. “They’ve been to state, they’ve gone through college and they’ve experienced higher levels of talent.”

Zynda was able to play catcher for Austin on Thursday and he was excited to get back behind the plate after he was limited in catching duties for most of the spring due to an knee injury he suffered during wrestling season.

“I’m getting back to where I was last year and it’s fun to get back there [behind the plate] and keep getting better every game,” Zynda said.

Kasson 0 0 0  0 0    0    2  1

Austin 1 0 4  0 5    10  7  2

Austin pitching: Josi Bothun (W) 5 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 6 K

Austin hitting: Jack Dankert, 0-for-1, RBI, 3 BBs, R; Bothun, 0-for-2, 2 RBIs, R, 2 BBs; Dan Bollingberg, 1-for-2, double, RBI, 3 R, SB, 2 BBs; AJ Mueller, 0-for-3, R; Pete Conner, 1-for-3, RBI, R, SB, BB; Hunter Johnson, 0-for-2, BB; Riley Retterath, 2-for-3, double, RBI, 2 R; Ross Young, 0-for-2, R, BB; Luke Hawkshead, RBI, BB, SB

Pete Conner hauls in a fly ball for the Austin Post 91 Legion baseball team against Kasson in Marcusen Park Thursday. Rocky Hulne/sports@austindailyherald.com