New Ulm Sports Central - Preserving and Sharing New Ulm Area Sports History

Submlted by Bullheads Media rep Myron Fluegge

Searles Bullheads won their first two 35 and over state baseball tournament games this past weekend to advance to the Class AA semifinals. Saturday the Bullheads efeated Perham Silver Pirates 4-0 at Jordan then topped LeCenter Braves Sunday at Shakopee.

Against Perham, Searles scored the first three runs of the game in the third inning on an RBI single by John Giefer and another hit by Scott Schaefer to score two more. Perham came back with two runs in the fourth.rs. The final run for the Bullheads was scored in the fifth inning on a triple by Troy Kamm and a sacrifice fly by Giefer.

Scott Rummel pitched the entire game for Searles, giving up two runs on four hits. Rummel walked four and stuck out three to win his third game of the season. With 19 of the 21 Bullheads players at the game, lots of support was provided for the players on the field.

Sunday the Bullheads traveled to Shakopee and played the LeCenter Bravese. LeCenter took a 3-0 lead by scoring an unearned run in the top of the first, and added two more in the fourth on a double and a two-run home run by Brent Newman.

However, as the Bullheads have done repeatedly during the season, they came from behind later in the game.

Searles scored five runs in the fifth, thanks to some free gifts by LeCenter and several timely hits. The Bullheads loaded the bases on three walks mixed in with two outs. Corey Schaefer was then hit by a pitch to score the first run. Scott Schaefer followed with a bases clearing double to give his team the lead. Scott Rummel hit a Texas league single to right to plate Schaefer for the final run.

Scott Schaefer explained " I knew I hit it pretty well but was not sure if the left fielder would get to it." As it turned out the ball was just out of reach and rolled to the fence."

Kevin Hulke started for Searles, pitching 4 2/3 innings, giving up just two hits in the fourth. Craig Schmitz relieved Hulke and retired all seven batters he faced to pick up the win in relief. Hulke and Schmitz each had two strikeouts. Troy Kamm recorded five put outs in center field for Searles.

Searles has now won12straight.

The Bullheads are back in state tournament action Friday at 8:30 p.m.against the Menahga-Sebeka
A win by the Bullheads would put them in the Class AA championship game against the winner of the St. Peter Saints VS Prior Lake Mariners Saturday evening at 8 p.m. in Jordan. A loss means they would play for third place against the loser of the above game at 5 pm at Jordan.