SLEEPY EYE gave the state Legion tourney crowd potential a big boost by winning the second district meet Sunday at Worthington, 2-1over Fairmont. Above, first baseman Lonnie Berberich leaped high for an errant pickoff throw.

WORTHINGTON – Sleepy Eye scored a 2-1 victory over Fairmont here Sunday evening to win the championship in the Second District Legion tournament. It was the second loss against 21 wins for Fairmont. Sleepy Eye advances to the state tourney Aug. 9-12 at New Ulm with a 17-2 record.

A trip to the state tourney was the season goal for Sleepy Eye after the team lost in the finals of the district meet a year ago. Pipestone took third in the state after a 102 win over Sleepy Eye. Sleepy Eye avenged that loss in the first round here Saturday with a 2-0 triumph.

In the state tourney, Sleepy Eye plays the tourney opener at 9:30 a.m. Friday Aug.9. If it wins the second game would be at Sleepy Eye at 8:30 p.m. the same evening. Two of the tourney games will be at Sleepy Eye.

Jim Mielke was the pitching hero for Sleepy Eye Sunday. He was sick all week long and came back to win both games Sunday. He won in relief against New Ulm,12-6, while Fairmont beat Blue Earth 10-0 in the semi finals.

MIELKE, who lives in Sleepy Eye but threw for Martin Luther Academy of New Ulm in high school ball, fired a two-hitter in the title game. He walked two and struck out seven batters. Fairmont scored in the first inning on a walk sacrifice bunt and a double by Mark Hillmer.

SAFE, BUT OUT — Tarry Boelter of Sleepy Eye appears to slide home safely under the tag of Fairmont catcher Tom Thiesse in action above. However, Boelter missed home plate and in a cloud of dust, Thiesse made the tag. Umpire is Maurice Potter. Sleepy Eye won 2-1 in Legion title game Sunday (Photos by Lee Groebner)

Sleepy Eye scored all its runs in the third inning. With two outs, hustler Mike Brandl walked. Tarry Boelter and Vic Helget followed with a triple and single to score the two runs. Boelter and Helget were on with a double and hit in the fifth, but a bunt misfired.

Sleepy Eye led 8-2 in hits. Boelter batted 3-3 and Helget 2-3. Errors were two for each team. Fairmont’s other season loss was to New Ulm.

Coaching Sleepy Eye is George Ladd, who is in his second year. The team compiled a 19-4 record last year but missed the state meet. He said a lucky charm was eating apples for lunch after the first victory Sunday.

Sleepy Eye 002 000 0 — 2 8 2

Fairmont 100 000 0 — 1 2 2

Mielke and Brandl; Monson, Hillmer(6) and Thiesse.

New Ulm Daily Journal

July 29, 1974