By Jean Doran Matua, Editor
During halftime of the home basketball game against Kimball, the 2010 and 2011 EV-W baseball teams were inducted into the Eden
Valley-Watkins Hall of Fame Friday evening, Jan. 28. Previous inductees were acknowledged during the ceremony, and a reception was held after the game for all involved.
2010 team
The EV-W baseball team in 2010 enjoyed a perfect 27-0 season. They were only the second team in Minnesota in modern times to finish a season undefeated.
In their first playoff game of the season, EV-W edged Kimball, 9-8. They then defeated Royalton 16-1, Osakis 12-2, Ogilvie 4-0, and Osakis 3-0 to qualify for State.
The Eagles opened the state tournament with a 6-0 win over Minnesota Valley Lutheran. Then they defeated Mayer Lutheran, 14-3, which took them to the championship game.
The Class A championship game was played in the new Target Field, home of the Minnesota Twins, for the first time in history. In that game, the Eagles were down 4-1, but they took the lead in the sixth inning to defeat Sebeka, 7-4, earning the State Champion title.
Members of the 2010 EV-W State Champion team included: Andy Yanish, Kevin Kramer, Derek Streit, Dan Sargent, Brandon Walz, Ryan Tri, Eric Kummet, Ryan Schmitz, Travis Torborg, Tyler Geislinger, Mitch Geislinger, Hayden Willner, Grant Warren, Peter Stenger, Brendan Ashton, Matt Geislinger, Jake Scherer, and Alex Geislinger. Student manager was Blaine Adolph. Head coach was Mike Tomsche, and assistant coaches were Dan Berg and Jeff Haag.
2011 team
The 2011 EV-W baseball team became State Champions as well. Six of the nine starters from the 2010 team returned for the 2011 season. Although defeated twice early in the season, the Eagles turned it around and enjoyed a 20-game winning streak.
The playoffs started with a 3-0 win over Providence Academy, followed by a 16-6 win over Red Lake County Central.
The championship game, although delayed one day for rain, pitted EV-W against Lake Crystal-Wellcome Memorial. Tied at 2-2 going into the third, the Eagles scored six runs and kept their lead to win the state title, 8-4. The 2011 team ended their season with a 23-2 record.
Members of the 2011 EV-W State Champion team included: Caine Renner, Kevin Kramer, Andrew Swenson, Travis Linn, Brandon Walz, Mitch Geislinger, Grant Winter, Zach Schlangen, John Bautch, Alex Geislinger, Derek Streit, Nick Pauly, Grant Warren, Brendan Ashton, Jake Rohrbeck, Matt Geislinger, Hayden Willner, and Austin Berg. Student manager was Matt Unterberger. Head coach was Mike Tomsche, and assistant coaches were Dan Berg and Dave Schneider.