Martins continue postseason march, down Stars in semifinals
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NEW PRAGUE - The first inning has been vital for the Fairmont Martins march through this season's Minnesota Baseball Association Class C State Tournament.
Heading into Saturday's semifinal matchup against the Starbuck Stars at New Prague Memorial Park, Fairmont had scored a combined three runs during the opening frame of its previous three contests, often setting the tone with an early advantage.
The Martins did that once more against Starbuck, this time plating five runs to help fuel their 10-0 victory. A victory that punches Fairmont's ticket to Sunday evening’s Class C championship against the Elrosa Saints. First pitch is set for 6:30 p.m. back in New Prague.
"You know, it's funny," Fairmont manager Levi Becker said. "We have struggled to score runs all year, and have hit our stride at the right time. There's still a core group of guys here from 2020 when we won it, and they've done a great job of leading by example."
Fairmont ended the contest with 11 hits and 10 RBIs. Five Martins - Luke Becker, Joey Crissinger, Derek Shoen, Jon Traetow and Spencer Chirpich - finished with two hits. Shoen led the way with four RBIs, while Lance Becker and Chirpich each had two.
Levi Becker said patience was the key to Fairmont's early scoring surge against Starbuck starter Alex Panitzke. That patience was shown after Luke Becker, Eli Anderson, and Crissinger loaded the bases with consecutive walks.
Four straight singles from Shoen, Traetow, Lance Becker and Chirpich plated the first four runs. Levi Becker added one more after his sacrifice fly to right field. Fairmont's ability to locate and execute on pitches inside the zone was essential. Panitzke finished with zero outs recorded and allowed all five earned runs.
"The offense showed patience early," Levi Becker said. "We were able to recognize their guy [Alex Panitzke] was struggling to locate his pitches, so we got selective and into hitter-friendly counts. With the guys in our lineup, that's always going to be a recipe for success."
Shoen added his third and fourth RBIs after his second single of the contest found center field, bringing in Luke Becker and Crissinger. Luke Becker later helped enforce the 10-run mercy ruling. His single helped Fairmont pick up its third score of the seventh inning.
The Martins offense has been on another level since the state tournament started. In four games, this lineup has averaged over eight runs. They averaged just under five runs in the regular season. It's a complete 180.
Lincoln Swanjord delivered with another strong start to hold the Stars at zero. The draftee from the Hadley Buttermakers allowed three hits over seven innings while fanning nine. It was his third start for the Martins this postseason.
"Lincoln knew from the beginning that this was going to be his game if the plan unfolded how it was supposed to," Levi Becker said. "Having the offense spot him five in the first put him in a great position to succeed. Pitching with a lead, you're allowed to be much more aggressive in pitch selection."