by Web Admin posted 07/25/2010 
| | Owatonna's Neil Eddie, right, and Matt Simon, left, wrap up pitcher Tyler Smith in a bear hug after Owatonna won First District title Sunday at Fuller Field. Post 77 will play at the state tournament Thursday in Hibbing. | | |
Story and photo by Ian Stauffer
OWATONNA — Fifty-five years is a long time.
That’s how long it had been since the Owatonna American Legion Post 77 baseball team last qualified for the state tournament. Owatonna put an end to that streak Sunday with a 12-10 win over the Rochester Redhawks in the First District championship game at Fuller Field.
Sheridan Skala had four hits, drove in four runs and stole home. Neil Eddie finished off a fantastic weekend with four hits and an RBI. Eddie was 8-for-10 with six RBIs, four doubles and two stolen bases in two games on Saturday and Sunday.
It was the second game in a row Owatonna was involved in a slugfest with a team from Rochester. Post 77 beat the Rochester Patriots 17-12 in a semifinal game on Saturday. Unlike Saturday’s game, Owatonna briefly trailed against the Redhawks twice.
Owatonna took the lead for good with a three-run fifth inning. Sam Zappa, Eddie and Tyler Smith all drove in runs to put Post 77 on top.
Zappa was the winning pitcher after he threw 1 1/3 innings in relief of starter Mike Sebring. Smith pitched the final four innings and gave up just two hits, one walk and one unearned run to get the save. Smith also saved a win over Albert Lea on Thursday.
Smith started Saturday’s game against the Patriots but left after 4 1/3 innings with seven walks and eight runs allowed.
“I just had to wipe the slate clean and go from square one,” said Smith, who admitted his arm was a little stiff before Sunday’s game. “I was able to get ahead of hitters, throw the offspeed for a strike and keep them off balance.
“My first couple throws in the bullpen were a little hard, but after I got going and did well in the first inning, I think the adrenaline took over and I didn’t really feel it. I’m sure I will tonight, but I’ve got a few days and I’ll be ready to go at state.”
Owatonna will play the third-place team from the Third District in the first round of the 16-team state tournament at 10 a.m. Thursday in Hibbing. The Third District comprises teams from the southern metro area down to Faribault and from Hutchinson to Red Wing.
Against the Redhawks, Owatonna trailed 5-4 after two innings and 9-8 after four. After Post 77 took the lead, Zappa and Smith combined to shut down Rochester for the final five innings.
The Redhawks threatened one last time in the bottom of the ninth. After Smith gave up a hit and a walk, Steve Serratore came to the plate with two outs. He hit a long fly ball to left field, but Christenson settled under it and made the catch to send Post 77 to state for the first time since 1955.
Eddie wrapped Smith in a big hug, and then Christenson jumped into Eddie’s arms once he reached the infield.
It was a small bit of justice for the Owatonna players who lost to Rochester Mayo in the section championship during the varsity season. Owatonna was the top seed in that tournament and was upset by the Spartans.
This time Owatonna was the lower-seeded team and beat the Redhawks (mostly Mayo players) twice on the way to the district title.
“It’s not the same as spring ball, but it means exactly the same, especially against Mayo, to get it back against them,” said Sheridan Skala. “We really got let down when we lost when we had the one seed for school ball, but getting them back right here made everything perfect.”
To read more about Sunday’s game, pick up Tuesday’s People’s Press. Stay tuned to our website for more photos and stories leading up to the state tournament.
Owatonna 224 031 000 — 12 18 4
Roch. Redhawks 230 400 100 — 10 13 3
Post 77 hitting: Brett Meger 3-4 R-3 RBI BB, Sheridan Skala 4-5 R-2 RBI-4 2B SB, Quinn Christenson 2-4 R-2 2B BB-2 SB, Sam Zappa RBI BB, Neil Eddie 4-6 R RBI 2B-2 SB, Tyler Smith 2-5 R RBI-2 BB, Matt Simon RBI BB, Derek Schwab 2-6 R, Travis Hilstad 1-5 R-2 RBI.
Post 77 pitching: Mike Sebring IP-3.2 H-10 R-9 ER-8 BB-1 SO-0, Zappa IP-1.1 H-1 R-0 BB-2 SO-3, Smith IP-4 H-2 R-1 ER-0 BB-1 SO-2.
