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Fairmont’s Jorgensen, Anderson captain All-Area baseball team

ALL-AREA CAPTAINS — Fairmont pitcher Eli Anderson (right) fires the baseball to first base following a sacrifice bunt during a Class AA state semifinal game at Dick Putz Field in St. Cloud on June 15. Cardinal catcher Zach Jorgensen keeps an eye on the Rochester Lourdes’ runners during the play. Jorgensen and Anderson have been selected as the Sentinel’s 2022 All-Area baseball players of the year for their outstanding performances this season. (Photo by Greg Abel)

FAIRMONT — “Jorgensen steps back in the pocket, looks downfield. He fires, he hits Anderson along the far sideline. The 50, the 40, the 30 … he’s gone. Touchdown! Eli Anderson from Zach Jorgensen again.”

Jorgensen and Anderson etched their names atop nearly every passing and receiving category in the Fairmont football record books en route to gaining the Class AAA state quarterfinals last fall.

Seven months later, the playing surface and sport may have changed, but the pair of senior standouts were literally pitching and catching the Cardinals to the Class AA state baseball championship at Target Field in Minneapolis.

Ironically, Jorgensen — the team’s everyday signal-caller — reversed roles with Anderson for the state finale on June 17 and delivered a masterpiece.

The hard-throwing Jorgensen recorded seven strikeouts while firing a two-hit complete-game shutout to power Fairmont to its first-ever state baseball crown via a 7-0 victory over Roseau.

Two days earlier at Dick Putz Field in St. Cloud, Anderson’s accurate pitching arm and lethal lumber propelled the Cardinals to a 7-2 state semifinal win over Rochester Lourdes. With Jorgensen catching, Anderson tossed a six-hit complete-game gem while striking out five batters. Anderson also generated three hits — including two of his state tournament record-setting five triples — to produce one RBI to complement scoring two runs.

Anderson earned selection to the Class AA all-state tournament team by going 6-for-11 with six RBIs and four runs scored during the three-game span. Jorgensen also merited a spot on the all-tourney lineup by finishing 4-for-10 with five RBIs and three runs scored.

The pair of all-Section 3 baseball choices also literally delivered two of the most pivotal pitching performances in Fairmont’s rich history on the prep diamond to garner a state bid.

Jorgensen traded his catcher’s gear for a regular cap and pitcher’s glove, and hurled 4 2/3 innings of shutout relief to help the Cardinals extend the final elimination game of the sectional bracket to 10 innings. Jorgensen finished with five strikeouts and allowed only two hits as Anderson drilled the game-winning RBI triple to fuel a 6-5 victory over Atwater-Cosmos-Grove City on June 8 at Legion Field in Marshall.

After Jacob Crissinger pitched a shutout in Game 1 of the sectional championship, Anderson stepped to the mound to help Fairmont capture a narrow 2-1 win over Paynesville in Game 2. Anderson fired a five-hit complete-game gem, including retiring 15 of 17 batters from the first to the sixth innings, to claim the sectional crown on June 10 in Marshall.

Anderson penciled his name into the No. 1 spot in nine different offensive categories to be one of the key catalysts behind Fairmont’s record-setting 27-3 campaign.

The smooth-swinging left-handed batter established a single-season school record by legging out 11 triples to complement team-bests of two HRs and 34 RBIs during 2022.

The all-Big South Conference first-team choice generated top team totals of 44 hits to fuel a .436 batting average to go with 34 runs scored and 21 stolen bases. Anderson also led Fairmont with a .733 slugging clip and a .529 on-base percentage.

The right-handed pitcher compiled a 4-1 record to complement a team-best four saves during the spring season. Anderson notched 31 strikeouts in 42 1/3 innings of work to help produce a team-best 1.16 ERA to cap an unforgettable high school athletic career.

Anderson turned down an offer to play football for Northern State, and instead, will play baseball for North Iowa Area Community College in Mason City, Iowa, next season.

While Anderson will return to the diamond as a college student-athlete, Jorgensen will look to earn a spot in the Minnesota Golden Gopher football team’s defensive secondary as a preferred walk-on this fall.

The 6-foot-4 Jorgensen, however, will have numerous options if he decides to trade his shoulder pads for a chest protector down the road.

Jorgensen generated the Fairmont baseball program’s No. 1 doubles total (9) this spring to complement one triple, one HR and a second-best 32 RBIs behind only Anderson.

The all-Big South Conference first-teamer finished second on the Cardinals with 39 hits en route to a .348 batting average in 2022. Jorgensen also scored 25 runs, swiped 11 bases, slugged deliveries at a .393 clip and reached base at a .403 pace.

The senior right-hander compiled a 3-0 record and 2.10 ERA on the mound, while recording 23 strikeouts in 20 innings of work to close out an outstanding prep sports career.

For all of their contributions to Fairmont’s state championship season, Anderson and Jorgensen have been selected as the 2022 Sentinel All-Area co-baseball players of the year.

Here’s an inside glance at the rest of the newspaper’s annual All-Area baseball lineup.

Zach Anderson (Martin County West) — The all-Section 2A choice utilized his speed from the leadoff spot to set the tone for the Mavericks’ batting order this spring.

The first-team all-Valley Conference selection topped MCW with 22 stolen bases and tied teammate Wyatt Williamson for No. 1 honors in runs scored with 20 apiece.

Anderson posted a .350 batting average, including four doubles, to drive in 13 runs to complement a .500 on-base percentage to help guide the Mavericks to a 14-9 record and a final three showing in the sectional playoffs.

The junior right-hander also compiled a 6-1 record and a 1.42 ERA to go with 58 strikeouts and only seven walks in 54 1/3 innings pitched.

Anderson already has committed to play basketball for Division II Wayne State University in the 2023-24 campaign.

Christian Bachenberg (Martin County West) — The all-Section 2A pick led the Mavericks by producing a .410 batting average, including seven doubles and two triples, during his senior season.

The fleet-footed Bachenberg collected 18 RBIs, scored 17 times and generated a .465 on-base percentage to play a key role in MCW advancing to the fifth round of the 2022 playoffs.

Bachenberg capped his outstanding 2022 baseball campaign by earning a spot on the all-Valley Conference second team for his efforts.

Jacob Crissinger (Fairmont) — The Class AA all-state tournament pitcher topped the Cardinals’ rotation with a 9-1 record and 83 strikeouts in 69 1/3 innings of work during his senior season.

The all-star series selection generated a second-best ERA of 1.62 en route to hurling three complete games, including Fairmont’s 8-3 state quarterfinal victory over Sibley East on June 14 in St. Cloud.

The all-Section 3 right-hander also tossed two shutouts, including the Cardinals’ 6-0 decision over Paynesville in Game 1 of the sectional championship on June 10 in Marshall.

The all-Big South Conference first-team choice plans to pitch for the Bethany Lutheran College baseball team next season.

Jack Kosbab (Fairmont) — The Class AA all-state tournament selection went 4-for-8 overall with a team-best six RBIs to power the Cardinals to their first-ever state crown at Target Field in Minneapolis on June 17.

The all-Big South Conference first baseman produced Fairmont’s third-best RBI total (23) on the season, while hitting deliveries at a .303 clip on the strength of 27 hits in 2022.

The hard-working Kosbab generated four doubles, scored 27 runs, reached base at a .450 clip and slugged pitches at a .392 pace to close out his junior campaign.

Kosbab played an integral role in the Cardinals setting the program’s single-season record of 27 victories this spring.

Landen Meyerdirk (Fairmont) — The all-Big South Conference honorable mention pick evolved into an offensive catalyst for the state champion Cardinals’ batting order in 2022.

The Mercurial Meyerdirk led Fairmont by getting hit by a pitch an incredible eight times, while posting the program’s No. 2 marks in batting average (.350), on-base percentage (.472) and stolen bases (19) this spring.

The everyday right fielder scored 31 runs, tallied 21 RBIs and notched 28 hits — including five doubles and a HR — to cap an outstanding junior season.

The right-hander displayed his versatility by compiling a 3-0 record on the mound to complement a 2.67 ERA and 21 strikeouts in 21 innings of work.

Meyerdirk played a clutch role in Fairmont setting the program’s single-season record with 27 wins in 30 games.

Parker Meyers (Blue Earth Area) — The all-Section 2AA choice topped the Bucs in on-base percentage (.530) and walks (15), while tying for the No. 1 spot in stolen bases with 11 to cap his junior diamond campaign.

The fleet-footed shortstop hit .326 on the strength of 15 hits — including three doubles and three triples, slugged deliveries at a second-best team rate of .457, collected BEA’s second-best RBI total (18) and crossed the plate 14 times this spring.

Meyers also earned all-Big South Conference accolades on the diamond to round out another stellar season.

Jacob Moeller (Martin Luther/Granada-Huntley-East Chain/Truman) — The all-Valley Conference second-team selection topped the Jaguars’ offense in five different categories during his final prep campaign.

Moeller produced a team-best batting average of .421 on the strength of a co-team-high 16 — including a team-leading five doubles and one triple.

The senior standout also paced the purple-and-black attack with 17 runs scored. Moeller also collected 10 RBIs and drew a dozen walks to close out a stellar high school sports career.

Carter Morphew (North Union) — The first-team all-Top of Iowa Conference West Division pick nearly earned every No. 1 spot on the Warriors’ hitting and pitching charts this summer.

The North Union junior paced the lineup with a .492 batting average by sharing the team lead with Colin Rasch by generating 30 hits, including six doubles.

Morphew led the green-and-black attack with a .614 on-base clip and .590 slugging rate, while sharing the No. 1 spot with Talan Priester by scoring 32 runs in 2022.

Morphew, who generated 13 RBIs to go with 15 walks offensively, produced North Union’s top four numbers on the mound. He topped the squad with a 5-1 record, a 4.17 ERA and 45 strikeouts in a team-best 42 innings pitched to cap a solid season.

Kaiden Musser (Martin Luther/GHEC/Truman) — The all-Valley Conference honorable mention selection shared the Jaguars’ lead in hits (16) and triples (1) with Jacob Moeller to close out the spring campaign.

Musser garnered a .340 batting average — including four doubles, scored 15 runs and produced seven RBIs in 2022.

The hard-working junior received 10 walks and was plunked four times en route to a high on-base percentage.

Logan O’Hara (Blue Earth Area) — The all-Section 2AA power hitter etched his name into the No. 1 spot on the Bucs’ roster in seven major offensive categories this spring.

The 2021 Sentinel All-Area co-player of the year paced BEA in batting average (.412), slugging rate (.764), hits (28), doubles (6), HRs (6), RBIs (22) and runs scored (18) in 2022.

The perennial all-Big South Conference choice reached base at a .461 clip, belted one triple, walked six times and struck out only eight times in 68 at-bats during his senior campaign.

The hard-throwing right-hander compiled a 5-2 record, one save and 30 strikeouts in a team-best 42 1/3 innings pitched to close out an outstanding prep baseball career.

O’Hara will take his incredible knowledge of the game, as well as his hitting and pitching skills, to Rochester Community & Technical College next season.

Colin Rasch (North Union) — The second-team all-Top of Iowa Conference selection shared the Warriors’ hit lead at 30 with Carter Morphew to trigger the No. 2 batting average of .435 this summer.

The North Union sophomore smacked seven doubles, produced 19 RBIs, scored 13 runs, reached base at a .512 pace and slugged pitches at a second-best team rate of .536 to cap a stellar campaign.

Gavin Rodning (Fairmont) — The all-Section 3 selection evolved into a solid offensive threat from both the batter’s box and on the base paths this spring.

The all-Big South Conference honorable mention choice generated 28 hits — including six doubles, three triples and one HR — to net a .322 batting average during his senior season.

The Cardinals’ sure-handed centerfielder collected 18 RBIs, scored 27 runs, drew 18 walks, reached base at a .443 clip and slugged deliveries at a .437 rate to cap his final prep baseball campaign.

Rodning played an integral role in Fairmont capturing its first-ever Class AA state baseball championship en route to a 27-3 overall record in 2022.

Rodning, an All-Area selection on the high school gridiron last fall, will play football for Valley City State University in Valley City, North Dakota.

Nate Soelter (Fairmont) — The all-Section 3 choice anchored the Cardinals’ air-tight defense at shortstop and provided a solid arm on the mound to power the team to the state championship this spring.

The all-Big South Conference selection belted the baseball at a .322 clip, including 29 hits with three doubles and two triples, to generate 20 RBIs in 2022.

Soelter displayed his speed by scoring a team second-best 32 runs and swiping 17 bases to go with a .429 on-base percentage.

The sophomore right-hander also assembled a 4-0 record on the hill, netting a 2.02 ERA and 25 strikeouts in 27 2/3 innings pitched this campaign.

Wyatt Williamson (Martin County West) — The all-Section 2 choice powered the Mavericks’ offense by generating a team-best 21 RBIs during his junior campaign.

The first-team all-Valley Conference selection shared the program’s lead with Zach Anderson with 20 runs scored to complement swiping 18 bases in 2022.

The MCW outfielder produced five doubles and one triple to highlight a .364 batting average and .488 on-base clip to help steer his team to a final three appearance in the sectional tournament.

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