Athletics punch ticket to state tournament


Welcome back.

For a second straight season the Delano Athletics are returning to the Class C Minnesota state amateur baseball tournament.

The Athletics (21-9) secured a spot to state with a 7-2 win over the Maple Plain Diamond Devils Saturday afternoon in the Region 12C baseball tournament.

Though the Athletics secured a spot in the state tournament, they will continue regional play on Friday, August 14 versus the Howard Lake Orphans at 7:30 p.m. at Delano Municipal Baseball Park. Delano will be playing for state tournament seeding, and will be looking at securing the number one overall seed from the region.

Delano got things started early as they have often this season jumping out to a 2-0 lead in the first inning.  Kevin Jaunich led off with a walk and Toby Hanson singled to right field and Jaunich advanced to third on a hit-and-run. Joey Althoff hit a sacrifice fly to left field scoring Jaunich from third. John Magee singled to right advancing Hanson to third.  Trevor Jaunichsingled to score Hanson.

Delano maintained a 2-0 lead through six innings while starting Athletics pitcher Jake Gleason was cruising and kept the Diamond Devils in check, however, with 2-outs in the top of the sixth inning Maple Plain would rally to tie the game 2-2.

In the bottom of the sixth the Athletics would bounce back to regain the lead with a five run outburst, keyed by a triple byJohn Magee that plated a pair of runs. 

Gleason picked up the win for the Athletics on the hill, tossing 6 1/3 innings, giving up two runs on six hits. In relief, Matt Arens returned to the mound after missing four weeks with a upper body injury and was effective.  Arens pitched 2 2/3 innings and gave up only one hit.

Offensively the Athletics were led by Magee, who finished the game, 3-4 with 2-RBIs.

The state amatuer baseball tournament begins August 21, hosted by Cold Spring and Watkins.