Elrosa blasts Grovers

Ethan Vogt slides in for Elrosa's final run of the game in the 8th inning.

Final score: Elrosa 9, Meire Grove 4. The Saints scored early and often while building a 5-0 lead through five innings and 8-0 after six. Brady Weller started and earned the pitching win in six innings of work, while Aaron Vogt relieved him with action on the mound in the last three frames.

The last out of the game, a pop fly to left field to Austin Imdieke:


Meire Grove battled with first-place New Munich on Saturday in an 11-inning marathon. The Silverstreaks won 4-1 to maintain first place in the Stearns County League North division standings.

Up next for the Saints: a home game on Wednesday night, the eve of the Fourth of July, with a 7:30pm start time against the New Munich Silverstreaks. The Saints are currently a half-game out of first place in the SCL-North standings at 8-3, while the Silverstreaks are 7-2 with possession of first place. Meire Grove sits in third place at 7-4.

Stearns County League scores on June 30:
Lake Henry 5, New Munich 3

Elrosa vs. KMS gets into extra innings

It's been quite a barn-burner at Saints Field in Elrosa, where the Elrosa Little League (12-U) team is dueling K-M-S for the wood bats tournament championship. After five innings, the game remains 0-0. The sixth inning was set to begin at 5:00pm.

Action from the bottom of the 5th!


Update: K-M-S won 6-1 in six innings...all the game's runs were scored in the final frame.

Elrosa wins 1-0!

Extremely stingy defense has put the Elrosa Saints Little League team in the championship game of their home tournament today.

In the 2nd round this morning, they beat Benson 1 to 0. They play at 3:30pm. KMS beat Minnewaska Area 8 to 2 to advance to the championship.

Elrosa Saints Little League wins tournament opener!

In a crisp, well-played game tonight under the lights of Saints Field, the Elrosa Little League team defeated New Munich 3-1 in the last game of the opening round of their 2nd annual wood bats tournament. Payton Van Beck started and pitched three innings, while Evan Wiener relieved him and pitched the last two frames.

Elrosa now faces Benson in the second round with a 9:30am start on Saturday morning.

K-M-S, Benson win in Elrosa

First-round scores at the 2nd annual Elrosa Little League wood bats tournament:
Kerkhoven-Murdock-Sunburg 13, Belgrade/Brooten 0 (4 innings)
Benson 8, Minnewaska Area 1

The Elrosa vs. New Munich game started at about 8:30pm.

Game one on Saturday will feature Belgrade/Brooten against the loser of tonight's final game. That starts at 8:00am.

Wood Bats Little League tournament starts tonight in Elrosa

Friday night's games:
5:30pm: Belgrade/Brooten vs. Kerkhoven-Murdock-Sunburg
7:00pm: Benson vs. Minnewaska Area
8:30pm: Elrosa vs. New Munich (under the lights)

The Saturday schedule will be posted late tonight after I see how Round 1 turns out.

The first game is at 8:00am between the loser of game one vs. the loser of game three.

The 1st-place game is scheduled for 3:30pm between whichever teams end up 2-0 through the first two rounds. Stay tuned for more!

Elrosa Little League hosts wood bats tournament

Games are on Friday night and Saturday morning/afternoon at Saints Field in Elrosa. Teams included are Benson, Belgrade/Brooten, Elrosa, Kerkhoven-Murdock-Sunburg, Minnewaska Area and New Munich.

Quite the storm activity lately

A scene from Monday on Oswald Avenue in Belgrade, where clean up mode was going at full steam.

Cleaning up on Lowry Avenue...three trees came down in this yard.

It's just wreaked havoc on everyone's lives as folks across central Minnesota have been cleaning up their places in the aftermath of a huge wind and rain storm that passed by early on Friday morning last week.

Mark it down: heavyweight battle in the SCL-North is Sunday

The Saints walk off the field on Sunday after the 9th inning was complete in a 2-0 win over St. Martin.

Two teams in the hunt for first place in the Stearns County League North division square off on Sunday in Elrosa, when the Saints host Meire Grove in an amateur baseball game.

First pitch is set for 1:30pm.

High school-sports related: the Jaguars fastpitch U-17 team hosts Melrose Area in the last home action of their season this Thursday night at the varsity park in Brooten.

Prayers for Jocelyn

Jocelyn Dickoff, a student at B-B-E elementary whose family lives in Belgrade, is in rough shape right now as she is battling cancer. I have seen reports on Facebook suggesting that it's taken a turn for the worse, but you never give up hope.

Jocelyn is shown working on her studies while staying at the Willmar Cancer Center.

Often times, life's not fair. Sometimes, though, it's so unfair you can't begin to explain it or understand it.

Please pray for her and her family.

Congratulations, Dave and Clara

Dave and Clara Rooney with State Representative Paul Anderson of rural Starbuck.

Two outstanding, wholesome, hard-working individuals who reside in the B-B-E community, Dave and Clara Rooney, celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary today at the Padua Pub, which they own and operate.

I saw this on Facebook, photo courtesy of State Rep. Paul Anderson.

God Bless the Rooneys! They've got a number of grandkids who are now students at B-B-E. Their own children are Brooten High School and B-B-E graduates between the late 1980s and 1999.

Vogt pitches two-hitter

Behind another stellar pitching performance by Ethan Vogt, the Elrosa Saints blanked St. Martin 2-0 on a sunny afternoon today. The win ups their Stearns County League-North record to 7-3 heading into the last 3 regular season games.

More will follow later.

Game day at Saints Field!

First pitch between the Elrosa Saints and St. Martin Martins is at 1:30pm today in a Stearns County League amateur baseball game. The Saints (6-3) are within striking distance of first-place New Munich (6-1) in the race for the Stearns County League North regular season title.

Below, a four-minute clip from the Spring Hill game last Friday in Elrosa...it had quite an ending! Sadly I had to miss the last 3 innings...

Stay tuned for SCL baseball scores later tonight.

Summer basketball!

At halftime in their 2nd game of the Jaguar summer invitational, the B-B-E varsity boys' basketball team is up 27 to 13 over conference rival Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted. They won 57 to 29 to advance to the championship game. (In last year's meeting between these two teams in this tournament, the Jaguars won a grinder 40-35.

In the championship the Jaguars easily handled Alexandria 52 to 27. To start the day, the Jaguars beat Pelican Rapids 82-30.

Here's a little action from the HL-W-W game today:


Coming tomorrow...action from Saints Field where Elrosa takes on St. Martin at 1:30pm.

Still in clean up mode

We're still cleaning up both places after the storm that went through early on Friday morning.

I got a few pictures in Belgrade on Friday afternoon of the clean up going on - mainly cutting up downed trees, something that happened all over town.

A fitting tribute to small-town living

Click to enlarge.

B-B-E U-17 fastpitch in action Thursday

The B-B-E Jaguars U-17 fastpitch team is in action again on Thursday night at Long Prairie-Grey Eagle for more summer league competition.

Becca Gruber knocked a base hit plus an RBI-single in the second inning against Browerville last Thursday.

The team is made up of a mix of incoming 8th-12th grade players, many of whom played on this past spring's junior high team.

Some photo galleries posted

The Sauk Centre Herald has a new host for online photo galleries...here's the link for photos from the Class A state girls' golf meet in Becker last week:
http://saukherald.smugmug.com/2013SPORTS/B-B-E-girls-golf-at-Class-A/29968910_5tqLbg#!i=2573488482&k=QfLTj53

Here's the photo gallery from the B-B-E 6th grade class trip to St. Paul on May 29:
http://saukherald.smugmug.com/2013NEWS/B-B-E-6th-grade-class-trip/29968016_nX88hP#!i=2573393724&k=wjsdXFK

B-B-E Legion edges Melrose

On Monday night at Saints Field, the B-B-E Legion baseball team defeated Melrose Area by a 2-1 score. Their season record stands at 2-1. Their next home action is next Monday with a double-header against Browerville starting at 6:00pm.

Also last night, the Belgrade/Brooten 5th-6th grade summer rec team improved to 2-0 on the season with a 7-5 win over Atwater Red. They are next in action on Wednesday this week with a 6:00pm game at home against the Willmar Predators.

(Video) Battle for the Keg plays out in Elrosa

Action from the latter half of the Elrosa vs. Spring Hill clash last night under the lights of Saints Field. It was an epic battle lasting 10 innings before a winner emerged...



This summer amateur baseball update is sponsored by the proud support of:

(Video) Girls' fastpitch from spring season: vs. Kimball Area

Here's action from the middle of the first game of the double-header on May 24 against Kimball Area on the home diamond:

Wow! Saints win in the 10th

The Battle for the Keg lived up to all the hype that it's worth tonight in Elrosa, where the Saints amateur baseball team spilled Spring Hill 2-1 in 10 innings. Brandon Roelike's base hit scored Matt Middendorf for the game-winning run.

Elrosa is 5-3 in the Stearns County League-North division standings and travels to Farming (3-5 SCL-South) on Sunday for a 1:30pm game. Spring Hill slips to 4-5 in the SCL-North and has a long break until the Chargers travel to Roscoe on Sunday, June 30.

In my "tip of the hat" category, congratulations to the Osakis Silverstreaks baseball team, as they won both their state quarterfinal and semifinal contests at the Class A state tournament this week. They now face BOLD out of the West Central South Conference on Monday at Target Field with the state championship on the line.

School-related memories from May

Dylan Meyer had quite a load to bring home from Valleyfair on May 23, when the B-B-E 6th grade band had their annual spring trip.

...and here's a "roast" of now-retired special education teacher Mrs. Cheryl Weller on the final day of school on May 31 at the B-B-E elementary awards ceremony, courtesy of Sarah Oeltjenbruns, her paraprofessional.


...and video from the roof top of the state capitol in St. Paul on May 29...click on the link:
http://saukherald.com/main.asp?SectionID=94&SubSectionID=381&NewsVideoID=199

I've got other pictures and video to add today and through the weekend.

While I've got your attention, don't miss the Battle for the Keg on Friday night in Elrosa! First pitch is set for 7:30pm against Spring Hill.

Both Jaguar girls' golfers finish in the Top 40 at state

Jordan Gruendemann, one of many three-sport athletes in B-B-E's Class of 2013, sinks a putt on one of the final holes of her trip through the Class A state golf meet in Becker today.

Peyton Miller knocks a deep ball during her trip through the last nine holes of the Class A state meet.

Sophomore Peyton Miller shot a 45 and a 48 today to finish in a tie for 21st place with a score of 188. Jordan Gruendemann, a senior, shot scores of 49 and 49 in her rounds of golf to finish in a tie for 39th place with a 198.

A total of 88 golfers competed in Class A at the Pebble Creek Golf Course in Becker. The 2013 Class A champion is Legacy Christian Academy, who shot a cumulative score of 752. Section 5A champion Ortonville took fifth place with a score of 815.

Minnewaska Area, competing in Class AA in Jordan, took second place behind state champion Detroit Lakes.

Class A state girls' golf: round one, day two scores

Peyton Miller shot a 48 on the first nine of her second day of the Class A state meet, while fellow Jaguars girls' golf team member Jordan Gruendemann fired a 49.

Final results will be posted later tonight.

Knutson is Academic All-State

Carl Knutson watching a driving shot sail down the course at the Minnewaska Golf Club on May 23 during the Sub-Section 5A-North meet.

Carl Knutson, now a 2013 B-B-E graduate, was named to the Class 1A Academic All-State team today in boys' golf. He was also part of the B.P.A. Broadcasting team that placed third at Nationals earlier in May.

Great job!

At the first day of the Class A girls' golf meet, B-B-E's Jordan Gruendemann and Peyton Miller finished in the top 39 of all competitors. Miller sits in 26th place with a second day of golfing to go with a score of 95 (47-48), while Gruendemann is in a three-way tie for 39th place with a score of 100.

Section 5A champion Ortonville sits in sixth place with a team score of 417. Badger-Greenbush-Middle River is in first place with a 369.

Prayers for the Casey family

Carrie Casey, the wife of Josh Casey, a 1995 B-B-E graduate, is in the midst of a full-scale battle with cancer right now. Please put their family in your prayers.

Here is the CaringBridge website for more:
http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/carriecasey1/mystory

Josh's mother, Kathy Casey, has been a fixture at the B-B-E high school for many, many years as a substitute teacher. Her late husband, Mike, died in 1993 from a heart attack. At the time, he was president of the North American State Bank. The Casey family has been nothing less than a pillar in the community of Belgrade. Their six children have graced the hallways of Belgrade and B-B-E schools stretching from the late 1970s up until their youngest, twins Samantha and Stephanie, graduated in 1999.

B-B-E traveling team baseball (3rd-4th grade) wins Raymond tournament

Raymond baseball champs!

The B-B-E Jaguars 3rd/4th grade traveling baseball team picked up three wins on Saturday in Raymond to emerge as tournament champions. They beat Prior Lake, Willmar and Redwood Falls along the way. Great job!

Elrosa Saints climb over .500

For the first time since the season-opening win at Spring Hill, the Elrosa Saints amateur baseball team's record is over the .500 mark. On Saturday night in a home game under the lights, the Saints defeated previously-undefeated Lake Henry 3-1. They are now 4-3 overall, while the Lakers fell to 7-1.

Today in a battle between the top teams in the Stearns County League North division, New Munich prevailed in 13 innings over Meire Grove. The Silverstreaks improve to 6-1 in the SCL-North, while the Grovers are a half-game behind at 6-2.

On a side note, it was announced a month ago that Farming will host the Region 15C tournament in August. All day games will be played in Farming, while evening games are in St. Martin. The dates are August 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 9th, 10th, and 11th.

(Video) State girls' high jump

Taylor Gregory's final attempt at the high jump event at state on Friday:


This is pretty impressive...a lone athlete wins a state title for her school in track and field. She was one of the competitors in the high jump along with Taylor Gregory.
www.mnsportsnews.com/2013/high-school/one-woman-team-wins-championship/

Brought to you by the support of:

 

Gregory 12th at State track and field

In her first appearance at the Class A state track and field meet today, junior Taylor Gregory placed 12th in the high jump event. Her best height achieved was four feet, 10 inches. A total of 15 athletes competed in the State high jump; the top nine earned All-State honors. One high jump qualifier, junior Carly Wagner of New Richland, sustained an injury at her section meet last week in the high jump and watched in street clothes. She's one of the top girls' basketball players in Minnesota.

(This will be updated later tonight with photos and video)

YouTube was down last night,  so I'll get updates posted on Saturday night.

**Finally...here's one of a couple video clips I shot of Taylor:

Been scarce

I've been pretty scarce on here lately. We're finally getting ready to move, so that's consumed all my spare time lately. It'll get back to normal after the move, with youth baseball, fastpitch softball and other summer activities keeping my cameras busy.

Today I spent quite a few hours in the car going to and from the Class A state track and field meet in St. Paul. I'm providing coverage for around two dozen athletes for area newspapers, including for B-B-E's Taylor Gregory in the high jump.

(More on that later)

Track and field athletes perform at a high level at Sections

Hailey Braegelman in the 1600 run at the Section 5A meet.

A number of the Jaguars track and field athletes who competed at the Section 5A meet last Wednesday earned season and career-best results.

One of the 13, junior Taylor Gregory, will compete at the Class A state meet on Friday in the long jump event.

Here's Taylor in action at the Section 5A meet...(video by Herman Lensing, Melrose Beacon)
http://saukherald.com/main.asp?SectionID=94&SubSectionID=381&NewsVideoID=198

Taylor Gregory competes at State track and field meet on Friday

Taylor Gregory is ranked right in the middle of the field of athletes competing in the high jump event at the Class A state track and field meet. That event starts at 3:30pm on Friday at Hamline University in St. Paul.

Stearns County League amateur baseball scores

From this weekend:
Spring Hill 4, Richmond 3 (11 innings)
Meire Grove 18, Farming 1 (7 innings)
New Munich 1, Spring Hill 0
Greenwald 5, Roscoe 4 (Greenwald's first win of the year)
Elrosa 6, Roscoe 5 (Friday night's score)

Peterson is third at Pitch, Hit and Run Regional contest

Peterson with his President's Award for Academic Excellence, given to him at yesterday's elementary awards program. He is one of only seven members of his class of 58 students to earn the Gold-level Presidential Academic award. Four also earned the Silver-level award.

Aspen Peterson, an incoming seventh grader (Class of 2019) at B-B-E, finished third at today's Regional Pitch, Hit and Run contest in Foley. He just missed out on an automatic state tournament berth, but he's still in the running for an at-large wildcard bid. Peterson represented B-B-E in the 11 to 12-year old bracket. Further announcements on a possible advancement to the State competition is forthcoming. The State competition is on June 15 at Target Field in Minneapolis.

The Pitch, Hit and Run contest was sponsored locally by the B-B-E Area Jaycees, and the local contest was held earlier in May. Read all about the Pitch, Hit and Run contest, sponsored by Major League Baseball and the Boys and Girls Club, at the following link: http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/kids/mlb_pitch_hit_run.jsp

By the way, I recently had supper at Classic Company Dinner Theater, and they put "Bambi" on the big screen for our kids to enjoy. What a neat atmosphere! The food was outstanding.

More from the last day of school

The elementary teachers line up on the sidewalk to wave good-bye to the buses.

Waving good-bye for the summer!

Numerous awards were given out from elementary departments like Phy ed, Art, Band and Music....below are the sixth grade band award winners. A great bunch of kids! They are led by an outstanding band teacher, Mr. Coppicus, who B-B-E is very fortunate to have on staff.

This B-B-E school news update is sponsored by: