ABOVE: Fairmont Martins’ Luke Becker prepares for a swing against the Jackson Bulls on June 6. photo by Daniel Olson

FAIRMONT – After joining the Minnesota Baseball Association Class B division for the first time in team history this season, the Fairmont Martins got their first taste of the competition uptick this past weekend during the first round of the District 8B Amateur Baseball Tournament.

Handling No. 6 seed North Mankato, 12-2, on Saturday, the Martins fell to the brackets’ No. 2 seed Bird Island the next day, 9-3.

“It’s our first time playing in the Class B tournament, which was a new thing for us,” Fairmont Martins head coach Levi Becker said. “Started off playing Mankato and really hit the ball that game. Then you run into a tougher team in Bird Island. They have had a lot of state tournament success over the past couple of years and saw some really good pitching.”

If the Martins want to fulfill any hopes of heading to the MBA State Tournament, the team has to win its next two contests in order to secure the third and final bid.

The first opponent this weekend will be the No. 5 seed, Luverne. Despite topping the Redbirds earlier this season, 7-1, Becker expects a more competitive contest this time around.

“We get to play Luverne, a team that’s been in our league a bunch before,” Becker said. “They got some really good pitching, and since it’s a weekend, they got their best guys. We are definitely expecting a decent game.”

Starting on the mound for Fairmont will be Josh Smith. After a solid outing against North Mankato the weekend prior, going six innings of two-run baseball, Smith is looking to continue his success against Luverne.

The Redbirds this season have posted a 9-7 overall record in the 2025 season, going 8-6 while competing in the Gopher League.

While there are two potential opponents for the Martins if they get past Luverne, Becker and his squad expect to see the No. 4-seeded Raymond Rockets. The Rockets are scheduled to take on the No. 7-seeded Willmar Indians at 1:30 p.m. Saturday at Johnson Park. If Fairmont defeats Luverne at 11 a.m., it will take on the winner of the Raymond-Willmar game in a 7 p.m. nightcap at Johnson Park.

Regardless of who Fairmont could play in a second game, the Martins can’t afford to get too ahead of themselves against Luverne. Becker knows it will take the team’s best efforts to punch a state ticket.

“We know we have to win two to get a state bid,” Becker said. “Raymond is a solid team. It’s going to be tough to get by Luverne in the first game, but we’ve got to have our best for the best teams.”

The Rockets hold a 13-6 record, entering the tournament with a second-place finish in the Corn Belt league.

The Wilmar Indians enter the weekend with a 3-11-1 record on the season.

If Fairmont advances to the 7 p.m. game, its projected Game 2 starting pitcher is Spencer Chirpich.

Offensively, the Martins look to bounce back after a sluggish outing in last weekend’s second round. Mustering just three runs against the Bird Island pitching staff, Becker hopes to see his team capitalize with runners on base.

“We had bases loaded twice and a first and third opportunity that ended with a double play,” Becker said. “There were definitely opportunities.”

For the Martins to spark more offense this weekend, Becker thinks a significant contribution from the team’s top hitters can generate a different outcome.

“I always say it starts with the top of the order,” Becker said. “When those guys get up there and hit right away, it kind of gives the full lineup a lot of buzz.”

With two wins on Saturday in New Ulm, the Martins will qualify for the MBA state Tournament.