Saints play twice this weekend

The Elrosa Saints amateur baseball team hosts Norway Lake-Sunburg tonight in an exhibition game at 8 p.m. They host a golf tournament at Prairie View Community in Brooten tomorrow. On Sunday, the Saints travel to Spring Hill for Part II of the Battle for the Keg series of 2026. First pitch at Chargers Stadium is at 1:30 p.m.

UPDATE: in a rain-shortened game, the Saints defeated the Lakers of the south by a 4-0 score in 5 innings. It was an odd night where scattered thunderstorms and rain showers passed over the area. It was hit-or-miss but enough to wreck a nice night for baseball!

In other news...
The Redhead Creamery's 8th annual Curd Fest is coming soon! It's just one week away. Click over to the Bonanza Valley Voice newspaper website to learn more and to find out how to get advanced tickets: RedheadCurdFest2026.

Also, at the newspaper's website, you can watch the senior farewell address given by Class of 2026 members Bree Radermacher and Josie Bucketine during the graduation ceremony on May 22.

At the state baseball tournament...
In the Class 1A state quarterfinals on Thursday, Brandon-Evansville fell 7-0 to South Ridge in an afternoon game played at Joe Faber Field in St. Cloud. The Chargers rebounded nicely with a 13-6 consolation bracket semifinal win on Friday at Cold Spring over Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton. In the state consolation title game, Brandon-Evansville won 6-0 against Ogilvie.

Sports of All Sorts

I'm always the curious type, and a crowd of vehicles grabs my attention any time of the day. I noticed a bunch of vehicles at the elementary parking lot today and noticed who was there based on the vehicles, and I got curious! As it turns out, today is Day Two of the Community Education's "Sports of All Sorts" activities. This is explained from the Summer Community Ed brochure:
"Sports of All Sorts" is a "sampler" series designed for young beginning athletes. Students 4 years old to just completed 1st grade are invited to learn basic skills in multiple sports. These programs focus on fun, cooperative play to build motor skills, social skills, and an interest in physical activity. We’ll sample fundamentals of various sports such as soccer, flag football, basketball, tee-ball and other team building games and activities.

I rate this is a wonderful summer activity sponsored by B-B-E Community Ed. I also like looking at the bigger picture: how does this unique activity for kids in the 4 to 7 year old range reflect against the larger picture of worsening mental and physical health (on a nationwide level) of our youth? Kudos to the staff for organizing this for some of our community's youngest children!

As for other sports, I have not been able to catch up on American Legion baseball. Tonight, the B-B-E 17-U fastpitch team hosts a league game at 6 p.m. at the elementary diamond.

Saints split Saturday games

After surging past Lake Henry in a come-from-behind 9-4 win to start back-to-back games on Saturday, the Elrosa Saints amateur baseball team traveled to New Munich in the afternoon where they battled in an 11-inning game. The Saints led 5-2 late in the top of the 10th inning before falling 6-5 in a walk-off loss. After regulation innings, the score was a 2-2 tie.

Elrosa now holds an 8-4 overall record. Next: the Saints host Norway Lake-Sunburg on Friday, June 12 at 8 p.m. in an exhibition game.

In other news...
The Brooten city council meets in regular session tomorrow night. The agenda summary can be found at the Bonanza Valley Voice newspaper's editor's blog: BrootenCouncilAgenda.

By the way - I did about one week's worth of garden planting in one day - today.

Also, while cleaning my 1999 Buick, I found a missing camera chip. It seems that back in late April, while using the Buick, I left a card reader with a video chip and also a camera card in the car. I got Spring Concert pictures uploaded tonight. Finally! From April 14. Click here: https://bonanzavalley.smugmug.com/B-B-E-Area-Fine-Arts-2026.

Bonanza Valley Days is coming fast! Here's a link to see information on BVD grand parade registration: BVDGrandParade2026.

Monday night update:
For anyone keeping track, the city of Brooten received 1.2 inches of rain in an early-morning downpour today, according to my rain guage. A farmer from North Fork Township told me they received about 7/10ths of an inch of rain. This all occurred at around 8 a.m. In another rain shower, which did not affect Brooten, the city of Elrosa got dumped on with a high level of rain on Sunday night, although I haven't heard exact rain totals.

At tonight's B-B-E school board meeting, the filing dates were approved for the Fall 2026 school board elections. The filing period for four seats opens on July 14 and ends on July 28. Additional details will be published in the Bonanza Valley Voice newspaper.

High school graduation Senior Address

If you missed it, or if you want to see it again, the Bonanza Valley Voice newspaper includes a video with the Senior Address provided by Isaac Johnson. To watch it, you can click here: BBEgraduationSeniorAddress.

I am finally getting caught up from what was a manic month of May. I have been "behind the 8 ball" on coverage for Elrosa Saints, city council, graduation and the Memorial Day programs. I hope that is all resolved by the time the June 11 issue is published.

I really enjoyed a nice, lengthy conversation with Martin and Pam Jenniges tonight while taking in an ice cream shake from the Jenniges Chuckwagon, which is open 3 days a week at the Jenniges Meats parking lot on the west side of Brooten. Martin gave me some really neat trivia. On this day, June 4, going back 49 years ago, Martin's older brother Dan married his wife, Linda. Their wedding dance was at the Brooten Pavilion.

The hours for Jenniges Chuckwagon are as follows: Monday, Thursday and Friday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Meanwhile, a nationally-renowned food critic recently stopped at the Backyard Burger in Brooten. His review on TikTok had over 97,000 views as of yesterday. Think about that! Are you kidding me! That's amazing. This food reviewer has a TikTok account with over 722,000 followers.

State tournament fastpitch scores this week:
BOLD 4, Southland 1 (Class 1A state quarterfinals)
United South Central 5, BOLD 3 (Class 1A state semifinals)
West Lutheran 3, Barnum 2 (Class 1A state quarterfinals)
West Lutheran 4, Red Lake Falls 0 (Class 1A state semifinals)
BOLD 10, Red Lake Falls 1 (Class 1A state third-place game played today in North Mankato)

In the Class 2A state tournament, Jackson County Central defeated St. Cloud Cathedral 11-1 in six innings this afternoon in North Mankato in the third-place game. The Crusaders had defeated Kimball Area 11-2 in the Section 6AA championship on May 28 at St. Ben's.

**Friday night: the Saints vs. Lake Henry game is postponed until tomorrow. They will face the Lakers in Elrosa at 11 a.m., Saturday, June 6. Upon completion of that game, they pack up their gear and head to New Munich to play out the afternoon.

Section championship series begins! (VIDEOS**, UPDATES)

The B-B-E Jaguars baseball team is playing in the Section 6A championship series once again! They face Brandon-Evansville in a win-or-go-home game tonight (this afternoon) at Marthaler Field. First pitch is set for about 4:20 p.m.

In the Parkers Prairie game, which was the elimination bracket final, pinch runner Jaxxon Koetter scored the game's only run when he stole home base in the top of the first inning on two outs. That initial 1-0 lead held throughout the entire game. The game featured just two hits by Parkers Prairie and one hit by the Jaguars (a double by Cameron Loe).

B-B-E will start eighth grader Baron Breitbach to face the Chargers, who are 22-2 overall and who beat the Jaguars last Thursday in the first winner's bracket game by a 1-0 score.

Here's a video featuring the bottom of the 6th inning today against the Panthers:


Game updates to follow here for tonight's game, which will be aired on Smooth Magic 107.1 FM of Glenwood. They also stream online: https://www.kmgk1071.com.

***Through 3 innings, the Chargers have a 2-1 lead.

***After 5 innings complete, the Chargers are ahead 8-1.

**After 5 1/2 innings, the Chargers are ahead 8-2. Noah Jensen scored one run for B-B-E in the top of the 6th. 

Final score: Brandon-Evansville 8, B-B-E 2.

Here's a video featuring the last part of the Parkers Prairie game:


For the first time in...quite a few years...a team other than B-B-E or Parkers Prairie has claimed the Section 6A title. The Chargers take a 23-2 record into the Class 1A state tournament next week. B-B-E finishes an incredible season with an 18-11 overall record. What the Jaguars accomplished this spring was remarkable. Truly a season to remember! And a season to build on!!!

In 2022, New York Mills won the Section 6A title with a 10-4 win over B-B-E in the elimination bracket final and then by sweeping K-M-S in the championship series. The Eagles placed third at state in 2022. The Jaguars won the section in 2023 and then took fourth place at state. In 2024 and 2025, Parkers Prairie defeated B-B-E in the section finals to go to state.

B-B-E's first section runner-up finish was in the 2019 season under head coach Pat Illies. The program has been on an upward climb over the past 15 seasons, and I expect that to continue.

GAME DAY! Back in Pope County

Today, at 2 p.m., we've got playoffs resuming once again in the Section 6A tournament, when the B-B-E Jaguars baseball team will fight to keep their season alive. The Jaguars (17-10) face Parkers Prairie at Marthaler Field on the campus of Minnewaska Area high school.

UPDATE: the 2 p.m. game will be aired on Smooth Magic 107.1 FM of Glenwood. They also stream online: https://www.kmgk1071.com.

***Quite a game is playing out here at Minnewaska! This game is close and so tense, I can't even post the score.

Final score: B-B-E 1, Parkers Prairie 0. B-B-E scored the game's only run in the first inning.

The NEXT game is at 4:20 p.m. TODAY against Brandon-Evansville. GAME UPDATES FOR TONIGHT'S GAME will be in a new blog post.

Back-to-back wins! Jaguar baseball lives to fight another day (VIDEOS*)

What an incredible day at Marthaler Field! The B-B-E Jaguars baseball team kept their season alive and is one of just 3 teams left standing in the Section 6A tournament. Wins by scores of 5-2 over Long Prairie-Grey Eagle and then 4-2 against Breckenridge puts them in the loser's bracket final.

NEXT: B-B-E (17-10) plays at 2 p.m. tomorrow, Tuesday, at Marthaler Field. Their opponent will be two-time defending section champion Parkers Prairie. Please spread the word! This will be the third game in a row where the Jaguars will try to end a team's season. The odds are a mix, considering that the Panthers are the No. 1-ranked team in the state. We know the Jaguars will be ready. With just one senior starter, they can play loose and with no pressure whatsoever.

In today's first game: B-B-E 5, LP-GE 2
The Thunder had 5 hits to 6 by B-B-E, and both teams left 4 runners stranded. Both teams scored 2 runs in the first inning, but the Jaguars took a 4-2 lead with 2 runs scored in the bottom of the third. They added an extra run in the fifth, and starter Jace Mueller pitched an incredible complete game with 6 strikeouts against 5 hits and 3 walks.

In the second game: B-B-E 4, Breckenridge 2
In another nailbiter, the Jaguars out-hit the Cowboys by a 5-to-4 margin, and both teams committed one error each. The Jaguars put themselves in the driver's seat with 3 runs scored in the bottom of the 6th inning. Senior Cameron Loe pitched an outstanding complete game four-hitter with one earned run, no walks and 4 strikeouts.

The game was marred early when a Breckenridge fan was ejected by base umpire James Cortez in the bottom of the first inning. Credit to Cortez for sending a message right away!

Here's a video from the Breckenridge game with Cameron Loe pitching:


That video was recorded in the top of the 4th inning.

Here's a video featuring the end of the top of the third inning against Breckenridge:


In the Section 6A semifinal game today, the Brandon-Evansville Chargers (22-2) defeated Parkers Prairie 1-0.

Let's get a big crowd to Minnewaska Area tomorrow!

A few more galleries have been added to the spring sports folder of the Bonanza Valley Voice newspaper's SmugMug account: https://bonanzavalley.smugmug.com/B-B-E-Spring-Sports-2026.

GAME DAY! In Pope County (*UPDATES)

Today, at 2 p.m., we've got playoffs resuming in the Section 6A tournament, when the B-B-E Jaguars baseball team will fight to keep their season alive. The Jaguars (15-10) face Long Prairie-Grey Eagle at Marthaler Field on the campus of Minnewaska Area high school. I'm checking on radio coverage.

UPDATE: the 2 p.m. game will be aired on Smooth Magic 107.1 FM of Glenwood. They also stream online: https://www.kmgk1071.com.

UPDATE: in the 4th inning, B-B-E has a 4-2 lead over LP-GE. Freshman Jace Mueller is B-B-E's starting pitcher.

FINAL! B-B-E 5, LP-GE 2. The Jaguars are now 16-10 overall heading into the next elimination game. The next game is TODAY at 5 p.m. at Marthaler Field. They face Breckenridge.

UPDATE in the other loser's bracket game this afternoon:
Benson has bases loaded in the top of the 6th inning...Breckenridge has a lead but I didn't hear that score.

FINAL: Breckenridge 3, Benson 0. The Braves are eliminated.

***Monday night: B-B-E has senior Cameron Loe starting on the mound for the next elimination game. 

The Cowboys had a leadoff single to start the game but failed to score. 

**In the 5th inning, the Jaguars trail 2-1.

**Through 5 complete innings, Breckenridge has a 2-1 lead. They scored one unearned run in the top of the 5th. 

FINAL: B-B-E 4, Breckenridge 2. The Jaguars advance!

They play at 2 p.m. tomorrow back at Marthaler field in the loser's bracket final.

UPDATES IN A NEW BLOG POST.

Elrosa Saints win 2 of 3 weekend games

The Elrosa Saints amateur baseball team played two games over the weekend out of Stearns County League play after picking up a 15-6 win on Friday at St. Martin.

On Saturday, the Saints hosted the Pierz Lakers and took a 5-0 loss. Pierz had 11 hits compared to just 5 by the Saints. On Sunday, the Saints traveled to Cold Spring and won 7-0 with Ethan Mueller hitting a home run and Torii Johnson earning the win on the mound.

The Saints racked up 20 hits in the SCL game against the Martins. St. Martin had 12 hits, but they had 6 RBI compared to 14 for Elrosa. Pitching in relief, Luke Dingmann got the pitching win and threw 4 innings and gave up 4 hits with no walks and 4 strikeouts with no runs given up.

Next: the Saints (7-3 overall) host Lake Henry on Friday, June 5 (8 p.m.) before traveling to New Munich on Saturday for a 1:30 p.m. game.