Beckman rolls to substate return

DYERSVILLE - Dyersville Beckman Coach Tom Jenk wore a shirt that listed state tournament teams that qualified four straight years from 2000-03 early Saturday.

If the current Blazers have their way, they will add their names to the storied baseball tradition and force Jenk to get a new shirt.

'For Beckman baseball, it's a quest to get down to Principal Park,” Beckman senior Conner Klostermann said. 'We definitely want to be one of those teams to get on the back of that shirt. I think we made a statement (Saturday night). I hope we come out ready to play on Tuesday.”

In the blink of an eye, the third-ranked Blazers turned a competitive game into a blowout, beating No. 9 Monticello, 10-0, in five innings to claim an Iowa High School Athletic Association Class 2A district title last night at Commercial Club Park. Beckman advances to Tuesday's substate final at Farley against the winner between Cascade and Bellevue.

'We wanted to come out and make a statement, like we did in the first round game,” said Klostermann, referring to 10-0 district semifinal win in six over Clayton Ridge/Central. 'I think we definitely did that with another run-rule victory.”

The Blazers (23-16) are a win away from a fourth straight state berth, placing second last season and winning back-to-back titles in 2012 and 2013. One more wins would be the program's 17 state appearance and just the second time it has qualified four consecutive years. History provides motivation.

'It's huge,” Jenk said. 'It is a lot of pressure on them, but we don't put it on them. I think they put it on themselves, because they have all been down there and have seen what it's like to play at Principal Park (and) be in the tournament. They don't want to let down their alumni.”

'It takes senior leadership to win. Our seniors, even the guys who aren't playing, or so into the game on the bench. It really helps out.”

Beckman used a six-run fifth to close out the 25th district title for Jenk. After a strikeout to lead off the inning, the Blazers smacked six base hits in the next seven at-bats with an error sandwiched in the middle.

Eric Boeckenstedt ignited the rally with an RBI single that scored Sam Stelken. Klostermann, who had a game-high three hits, added an RBI single before Logan Welling ended the game with a two-run shot to right field.

The Blazers had four hits in the two-run fourth and took advantage of an error for two runs in the second. Beckman was flawless in the field, improving a weakness from earlier this season.

'We've been working hard in practice on bunting, our defense and hitting the ball where it is pitched,” Jenk said. 'I think we executed all phases of the game.”

Boeckenstedt had two hits and scored twice, while Riley Legrand added two hits for Beckman. They didn't have a lot of hard hits, but found holes. They had an approach and it paid dividends.

'That was part of our game plan,” said Jenk, knowing how the Monticello pitchers wanted to work. 'We wanted to take some things to right center and up the middle. I guess they pretty well listened to me for a change.”

Klostermann notched his fifth win of the season. He allowed one base hit to Jacob Manternach in the second but never faced more than four batters in an inning. Monticello only sent three to the plate in each of the final three frames. The Blazers have rested arms for the substate contest.

'Conner threw only 47 pitches,” Jenk said. 'I like that, too.”

Monticello Coach Josh Soper said he felt Beckman played its best game, and the Panthers made too many mistakes that they couldn't bounce back from. He said the Blazers caused much of it.

'They hit the ball hard,” Soper said. 'They forced the action. Tip your cap. They are a nice ballclub.”

Monticello finished the season 21-11 and return all but one player from its roster. They have a strong nucleus, but Soper said the off-season will test their mettle, needing to respond with hard work to reach their goals of conference, district and substate titles.

'They are right there,” Soper said. 'I think we do have a good group of kids that will put that work in and do what it takes. For many, it will be their third district final. They want to take that next step.”

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