Bockenstedt, Hoffmann bolster Brewers in state-qualifying win over Lakers

Staff photo by Travis Rosenau
Hanska Lakers’ Sam Knowles slides back into first during a pickoff throw to New Ulm Brewers first baseman Zach Hoffmann during a Region 2C Amateur Baseball Tournament quarterfinals game at Johnson Park in New Ulm on Saturday.

NEW ULM — Mitch Bockenstedt struck out 12 batters in six innings of work and Zach Hoffmann had three hits and drove in three runs as the New Ulm Brewers earned a state tournament trip with an 11-1 win over the Hanska Lakers in a Region 2C Amateur Baseball Tournament game at Johnson Park.

The game was stopped after seven innings because of the 10-run lead rule.

Bockenstedt scattered seven hits in getting the win.

Ethan Mixdorf took the loss for Hanska.

Hunter Ranweiler and J.T. Hoffmann each had two hits for New Ulm.

Sam Knowles and Derek Wilfahrt each had two hits for Hanska.

The Brewers scored a run in the first on a double from J.T. Hoffmann and a Zach Hoffmann double.

New Ulm made it 2-0 in the third on a Hunter Ranweiler triple and a second double from Zach Hoffmann.

Hanska mounted threats in the second and third off of the right-handed Bockenstedt but failed to score.

“They made me work and throw a lot of pitches,” Bockenstedt said. “They left a bunch of runners on early [six in the first four innings] and I was happy to get out of those jams.”

The Brewers would realistically put the game away in the bottom of the fourth, scoring six times on just two hits.

The Lakers got their only run off of Bockenstedt in the fifth on a Tanner Olson RBI double.

New Ulm plated two more runs in the bottom of the fifth on a singles from Colton Schaefer and Hunter Ranweiler.

The Brewers ended the game in the seventh on a J.T. Hoffmann single.

“Anytime you can make the state tournament, you have to he happy with that,” Bockenstedt said. “Every win this time of the year is important. It is nice to relax and throw when you know your guys are going to score behind you and play good defense.”