Teutopolis Wins Class 2A State Junior High Baseball Championship

The Teutopolis Wooden Shoes are the state champions of Class 2A junior high baseball after defeating Morris Saratoga, 5-2, in the championship game Saturday afternoon. The win comes after the Wooden Shoes won their semifinal game earlier in the day, 9-0, over Bismarck-Henning.

The Wooden Shoes put Saratoga on the defensive early, plating two runs in the first inning. T-Town added three runs in the fourth to push their lead to 5-0. Saratoga scored in the sixth and seventh, but the Shoes prevented no further damage and captured the state title.

Dawson Smith got the win for Teutopolis, allowing the two runs on six hits in 6-2/3 innings, walking two and striking out three. Clint Weber came in to get the final out.

Weber also helped at the plate, contributing two hits and driving in two runs. Smith got a hit and scored a run, Josh Hardiek got two hits and drove in a run, Lucas Drees got a hit and scored a run, Luke Ungrund doubled and scored and drove in two runs, Mitch Hardiek doubled and scored, and Tyler Runde scored a run.

In the semifinal game, Teutopolis took a 1-0 lead in the second, then plated six runs in the third inning to put the game away. The Shoes added single runs in the fourth and sixth innings to decide the final score.

Mitch Hardiek got the win, allowing just one hit in five innings of work and fanning one batter. Luke Ungrund pitched the final two innings, allowing two hits and striking out three batters.

Clint Weber had three hits including a double, scored three times and drove in a run, Dawson Smith scored two runs, Lucas Drees singled and drove in a run, Luke Ungrund scored a run and drove in a run, Mitch Apke scored a run, Mitch Hemmen singled and scored, and Tyler Runde doubled and singled, scored a run and drove in a run.

Teutopolis finishes their championship season with a 19-5 record, handing Morris Saratoga their first loss after 22 wins in the process.

Team members include Alex Thoele, Brady McMahon, Brayden Will, Clint Weber, Dawson Smith, Jacob Pals, Josh Hardiek, Kendal Zerrusen, Kendall Tabbert, Lucas Drees, Luke Ungrund, Mitch Apke, Mitch Hardiek, Mitch Hemmen, Trenton Schwerdt, Tyler Runde, Tyson Zerrusen and Will Ruholl. Kent Niebrugge and Steve Fritcher coach the Wooden Shoes.