Third-seeded Sleepy Eye kept the Clipper boys under control yesterday (Tuesday), winning the second round of the section 8-2
While it looked like the sixth-seeded Clippers might start the elimination bracket on their home field, second-seeded Springfield upset seventh-ranked Sleepy Eye St. Mary’s, so the Clippers will have to travel to Springfield on Thursday.
The visiting Clippers, outhit 12-6, did keep the ball in play, but the Indians always seemed to be in the right spots.
“They’re good,” said head coach Walker Froehling. “They do all the little things well. We hit the ball hard, but they made really good plays, and that took it out of us.”
With the Clippers trailing 1-0 in the third, starting pitcher Miles Tomaszewski retired the first batter on a fly out, but his shoulder tightened after. Alex Kortuem took over, but the Indians sent the first pitch he threw out of the park.
With a chopper and then a slow roller, the next two batters hit infield singles, and after an RBI double and a two-RBI single, the Indians were suddenly in front 5-0 and never looked back from there.
Taking advantage of a single and a dropped ball in the outfield, the Indians scored a run in the second. On a pair of singles, a walk, a fielder’s choice for a run and an RBI single, the Indians added two runs in the fourth. On an infield error, a single, a fielder’s choice and a steal of home, the Indians posted their final run in the fifth.
The Clippers finally got on the scoreboard in the sixth when Caleb Connor singled, Kortuem walked, and, courtesy running for Connor, Urijah Hoheisel scored on a Kiptyn Coon single. With a pair of walks and a Connor RBI single, the Clippers posted another run in the seventh.
A bright spot in the game was catcher Connor picked off a runner at first and caught two runners stealing second.
Tomaszewski hit a single and a double. Connor hit two singles and scored a run. Coon had a single and an RBI. Braeden Smith hit a single. The Clippers walked five times, struck out twice and left nine on base.
In two and a third inning, Tomaszewski allowed one hit and three walks while striking out two. In an inning and two thirds, Kortuem gave up eight hits and one walk for six earned runs while striking out one. Jack Mons tossed the final two innings, He allowed three hits and struck out three. The Indians left nine on base. The Clippers erred three times while Sleepy Eye had no errors.
Last year, in the same position in the bracket as this year, the Clippers fell to host Springfield 8-5.
Above: Caleb Connor picked one runner off at first and caught two stealing second.
Miles Tomaszewski was throwing a solid game before his shoulder tightened.
Jake Mueller holds on to the ball after a putout throw to first.
Third baseman Kiptyn Coon extends for a grounder.
Shortstop Carson Lyons leans back for a catch. Behind him is left fielder Tony Hollerich.