PHILLIES’ CATCHER MICAH Holmberg, left, makes the call – “Out” – after he tosses the ball to his third-base player, Annika Brinkman, to force out the Indians’ base runner, Kody Kremmin, right. Watching the action is the Indians’ Coach Margo Stoesz. (The “ump” made that call, too.)
SABRINA HANSON OF the Indians, right, crosses first base before the ball is able to get to the Phillies’ Brooke Naas, at first, left.
PLAYING FIRST BASE for the Indians, Kolby Kremmin, front, scoops up a hit in the infield. At back is base runner for the Phillies, Alana Morey.
A BIG CUT by the Phillies’ Treyton Duerksen – with determination clearly written on his face.
AFTER THE INDIANS’ third-base player, Landon Boldt, nabs the ball, he is focused like a laser on first base in order to throw across the diamond for the out.
The Mountain Lake Little League playoffs were held Wednesday evening, June 29, at Munson Field.
In first-round play, the Indians downed the Rockies 9-6, advancing to the championship game. Their opponent, the Phillies, defeated the Twins by one in six innings, 10-9.
For the championship, the Indians outlasted the Phillies 7-6, to claim the 2016 Little League title. Claiming third-place were the Rockies, besting the Twins by a score of 8-4.
On the regular season, the Phillies held the best won-lost record, compiling 24 wins, 14 losses and one tie. The eventual league champion Indians followed with a 22-13-4 record. At 17-16-6 in the regular season, the Rockies finished third, and the Twins played to a 9-27-3 mark.
Little League ballplayers include those who have first finished third-grade, through those who have just completed seventh-grade, their first year of junior high.
Little League coordinators are Shawn Naas and Nate Brinkman. Serving as team managers/coaches are Ryan McCue, Weston Osland, Jordan Boldt, Regan Syverson, Abraham Stoesz, Margo Stoesz nd Adam Karschnik.
After medals were presented to the winning Phillies, individual recognition was given to ballplayers.
Award winners include:
+ Mace Herrig – Boys Batting Champ with a .696 average and Little League Most Valuable Player.
+ Sabrina Hanson – Girls Batting Champ with a .527 and Miss Hardball.
+ Jaden Boldt – Mr. Baseball.
+ Ethan Nickel – All Little-Leaguer.
+ Daniel Gardner – Mr. Hardball.
+ Jose Garnica – Mr. Hustle.
+ Jaci Tollefson – Miss Hustle.
+ Brooke Naas – Miss “D”efense.
+ Noah Rempel – Mr. “D”efense.
+ Jake Evers – Rookie of the Year.
+Theo Evers – Most Improved.
+ Tanner Koetzle – most at bats in the five-week season with 147.
The top Little League hitters are as follows:
+ Mace Herrig, Phillies, .696.
+ Kolby Kremmin, Indians, .619.
+ Jaden Boldt, Indians, .616.
+ Ethan Nickel, Rockies, .616.
+ Jose Garnica, Rockies, .600.
+ Sabrina Hanson, Indians, .527.
+ Ian Penner, Rockies, .526.
+ Daniel Gardiner, Twins, .500.
+ Joey Faber, Indians, .495.
+ Olivia Christians, Twins, .489.
+ Micah Holmberg, Phillies, .484.
+ Nathan Jefferson, Twins, .484.
+ Evan Karschnik, Rockies, .479.
+ Tanner Koetzle, Phillies, .476.
+ Wyatt Wall, Twins, .460.
Below are the teams from this year’s Little League season, along with the award winners:
THE TITLISTS – THE Indians. Front, from left, Kaleb Nowak, Joey Faber, Cooper Wenner, Briley Nickel, Jake Evers and Kaila Blom. Back, from left, Sabrina Hanson, Kolby Kremmin, Jaden Boldt, Landon Boldt, Alex Blom, Keegan Classen and Coach Margo Stoesz.
THE SECOND-PLACE Phillies. Front, from left, Tyler Dick, Annika Brinkman, Jaci Tollefson and Sawyer Carrison. Back, from left, Micah Holmberg, Tanner Koetzle, Brooke Naas, Alana Morey and Treyton Duerksen. Not pictured are Mace Herrig, Carsen Hopper and Jadrah Renquist.
PLAYING TO THIRD in the league were the Rockies. Front, from left, Theo Evers, Evan Karschnik, Dusty Falk, Luke Klassen, Alex Karschnik and Brody Kleven. Back, from left, Sam Stade, Jose Garnica, Ian Penner, Kade Wassman, Cole Kleven, Ethan Nickel and Aiden Penner.
FINISHING IN FOURTH – the Twins. Front, from left, Conner McCutcheon, Devyn Rempel, Noah Holmberg, Landon Rempel, Brice Anacker and Kody Wassman. Back, from left, Coach Jon Faber, Javonn Rodney, Noah Rempel, Olivia Christians, Daniel Gardiner, Nathan Jefferson and Avrom Buller. Not pictured is Wyatt Wall.
2016 MOUNTAIN LAKE Award Winners. Front from left, Tanner Koetzle (Most at Bats in the 5 Weeks – 147), Theo Evers (Most Improved), Jake Evers (Rookie of the Year), Jaci Tollefson (Miss Hustle) and Noah Rempel (Mr. “D”efense). Back, from left, Sabrina Hanson (Girls Batting Champ – .527 and Miss Hardball), Brooke Naas (Miss “D”efense), Jose Garnica (Mr. Hustle), Ethan Nickel (All-Little Leaguer), Daniel Gardiner (Mr. Hardball) and Jaden Boldt (Mr. Baseball). Mace Herrig, pictured below right, was Boys Batting Champ – .696 and Most Valuable Player.
