Sleepy Eye Jr. Legion finishes season as consolation champions

SLEEPY EYE -- Despite falling short of its ultimate goal of winning the state title this year, Sleepy Eye Junior Legion still has plenty to be proud of.

The team finished the season with a 20-1 overall record, recovering from a first-round loss in the DII Junior Legion State Tournament to end the season as the consolation champions.

"Losing that first game is always disappointing without the double-elimination format," Sleepy Eye head coach Brandon Streich said. "But I think it kind of tested us mentally. We haven't seen a lot of adversity this year, and I think the kids responded to the fact that we still had a community to honor and represent, and I think we did a really good job. The kids deserve a lot of credit. To have that opportunity taken away from them, but still go out and play their best game, it shows high character on their end."

Sleepy Eye suffered a 3-2 loss to Parkers Prairie in the first round, the team's only loss on the season, but went on to defeat Norwood 11-6 this Saturday and Royalton 5-3 on Sunday to capture a fifth-place finish.

"We came in with high expectations, but if you would have told me we were going to be 20-1, I would have taken a step back," Streich said. "But the kids really grew this summer. There were a lot of guys that exponentially grew on and off the field in terms of play on the field and just the way they carry themselves. It was a fun season, one that I won't forget, and I don't think the kids will either. They've got a lot to hang their hat on this year.

"There's only three teams at the end of the year that get to finish with a win. We're one of those three. Despite being consolation champions instead of first-place champions, I think we still hold ourselves to that higher honor."

In the consolation championship game, Sleepy Eye showed continued resilience, winning after coming back from a 3-0 deficit in the fourth inning.

"We've got a group of high competitors," Streich said. "They get very competitive with each other, but especially against other opponents. Their competitive nature really kind of pushed through. We were hitting the ball hard, just not getting results. Eventually, we just kept pushing the envelope and just spurted through. I give the edge to our competitive spirit there."

Keeyan Netzke was named to the All-Tournament team for his performance over the three games. Netzke collected four hits and four RBIs during the tournament.

Overall for the season, Merrick Mathiowetz lead the team in hits (32), batting average (.542), OBP (.663), RBIs (26), runs scored (32) and stolen bases, while Netzke led the team in doubles (7) and had one of the team's two home runs, along with Eric Lozano. Derek Wales led the team in innings pitched (29 1/3) and had a team-best four wins, along with Karter Haala. Wales also led the team in strikeouts (51) and never allowed an earned run all season, finishing with a 0.00 ERA.

Sleepy Eye's success this year topped last season's, where the team fell in the consolation championship.

"You always kind of look at the previous year as a measurement to see what you're capable of," Streich said. "Every step of success comes with the next step. Last year we fall in the consolation championship, this year we win in the consolation championship, and hopefully next year when we're hosting the state tournament, third time is the charm."

Streich said that the team is looking forward to what next season will bring.

"If we continue to look back at the senior and junior programs the last half-decade or so, it seems like every year, you lose a lot, but you bring a lot back," he said. "I think a lot of the kids that do come back have that experience, and they set an example for the younger kids that are newer to the program and how we do things. That's very good leadership, that the guys who are experienced from the previous year know what's expected and know what it takes, and they pass that down to the younger kids."