MSU Athletics - Baseball

Four Beavers earn All Conference Selections
Michael Ronnie, Curt Stasiw, Ryan Bodell, and Kory Houston receive 2nd team All Conference awards for the 2008 baseball season.
Mike Ronnie has been 1st team All Conference his Freshman and Sophomore years at 3rd base. He was voted 2nd team All Conference in his first year in the outfield this season. He finished the season with a .364 batting average and led the team in hits with 48. Ronnie has one more year with the Beavers as he is a Senior next season.
Curt Stasiw recieved 1st team All Conference DH in 2006. He chose to take a year off last year and returned in 2008 for the Beavers where he recieved 2nd team All Conference outfielder. Curt batted .361 on the season with a .419 average in conference play. Curt lead the team in home runs with 8 and RBI's with 41. Curt is able to come back next year with the Beavers and play in his Senior season.
Kory Houston recieved 2nd team All Conference outfielder in his freshman year with the Beavers. Houston batted leadoff for the Beavers most of the season and play a very good center field. Houston batted .361 on the season and tied with Ronnie for the team lead in hits with 48.
Ryan Bodell recieved 2nd Team All Conference as a starting pitcher for the Beavers. It is the first time since 2000, the beavers have had a pitcher named to the All Conference Team. Bodell had an overall ERA of 4.02 and led the team with a conference ERA of 2.36 in 34.1 innings pitched. Bodell led the team in strikeouts with 32.
All of the Beavers All Conference players are able to return next season and look to lead the team in 2009.

VALLEY CITY — Minot State University’s run was cut short.
The Beavers, who came into the day at 2-1 in the Dakota Athletic Conference tournament, dropped an 8-4 decision to Dickinson State, the tournament’s eventual champion, Sunday at Charlie Brown Field.
The Blue Hawks defeated Dakota State 9-6 in the championship.
MSU took a 4-3 lead into the ninth inning, but gave up five runs in the top half. Tyler Schlagenhauf suffered the loss going 8 1/3 innings, giving up eight runs on 12 hits. Dickinson’s Tyson Sturza pitched two shutout innings to earn the win.
Mike Ronnie led the offense for the Beavers collecting three hits and scoring two runs. Kory Houston went 2-for-5, Jordan King 1-for-3 2ith two runs scored, Kerry Boon 1-for-3 with two runs batted in and Kevin Krasowski 1-for-3 with an RBI.

Minot State tops Mayville in extras
VALLEY CITY — The Minot State University baseball team got stellar pitching and a key hit from Curt Stasiw to earn a 1-0 extra-inning win over Mayville State in the Dakota Athletic Conference tournament’s opening round.
Minot native and starting pitcher Ryan Bodell pitched 81/3 scoreless innings before yielding to eventual winner Andy Leraas, who pitched 22/3 scoreless. Bodell struck out eight and gave up just four hits.
“It was a huge win,” MSU head coach Weppler said. “Bodell came out and threw as well as he could. He was lights out and that was big. It was big for him to go nearly nine full innings. He really bowed his neck and did a good job for us.”
The Beavers scored the game’s only run in the top of the 11th inning as Curst Stasiw knocked in Minot native Jordan King for a 1-0 Minot run.
King was tough at the plate for the Beavers. King collected three of the Beavers’ eight hits, stroking two doubles.
Weppler feels the win could be a springboard for the Beavers for the rest of the DAC Tournament.
“Definitely, this win is huge, we had to get it to be in a good position,” Weppler said. “We have our work cut out for ourselves. If we lose that, it’s a heartbreaker. It builds a lot of momentum and we just have to keep it going.”
Mike Ronnie also collected two hits for the Beavers.
Weppler said the wind at Valley City’s Brown Memorial Field was ferocious and limited offensive chances for both teams.
“The wind was just ridiculous,” he said. “It was a tough wind to hit with. We stuck with it and improved our at-bats and it paid off. We have confidence and we hope we can put up some runs (today).”
The Beavers take on Jamestown College Saturday at 10 a.m. in the tournament’s second round. The Beavers were originally scheduled to play today, but bad weather postponed the tournament until Saturday and Sunday. Game times remain the same.

Beavers Bunt earns Sweep over Mayville
Minot State University was looking to get at least three out of four wins against Mayville State University at home in Dakota Athletic Conference baseball.
Consider it mission accomplished, as the Beavers did just that with a 6-2, 5-4 sweep of the Comets Monday afternoon in a DAC doubleheader at Corbett Field. With the sweep, MSU improved to 4-3 in DAC play and 6-14 overall.
MiSU head coach Brock Weppler feels that by achieving their goal of winning three of four, the Beavers gained exactly what they were looking for — momentum.
“That’s huge,” Weppler said of taking the three wins. “It definitely gives us a heck of a lot of confidence, in ourselves individually and as a team. We really needed this because confidence is everything.”
Prior to the start of the weekend homestand, Weppler felt that getting out ahead early was going to be key. MiSU answered, as they took leads early in both game 1 and game 2. The early leads went as expected, but sparking the win unexpectedly was the Beavers use of the bunt.
MiSU used bunts to set up runs in both games, and the winning run of the second game was garnered on a bunt attempt by shortstop Jordan King.
“All day we used bunting to set up runs and our situational play was the best it’s been,” Weppler said. “Everytime we needed a key bunt or a timely hit, we got it. It’s nice when you’re doing those types of things well because it makes it seem easy.”
Minot State held a 4-2 lead going into the top half of the seventh and final inning of game 2, but MaSU scored two unearned runs to tie the game at 4-4. In the bottom half of the inning, MiSU’s Kevin Krasowski hit a single to right-center that was followed by a Kory Houston single to right that moved Krasowski to second base. King laid a bunt down to advance the runners, but instead of throwing to first to get the sure out, Mayville attempted to throw out Krasowski at third.
The throw ended up in left field and Krasowski sprinted in for the winning run.
“I was just hoping to get to third,” said Krasowski about the final play. “It ended up just being a good heads-up play. When I saw that I had a chance (to score) I just gave it all I could.”
Krasowski’s game winner was the only run he scored all day for MiSU, which was led offensively by Curt Stasiw. Stasiw went 3-for-7 on the day with six runs batted in, two runs scored and a home run. His homerun was a three-run shot to opposite field that scored King and Mike Ronnie in game 1. King went 3-for-8 with a run scored, while Ronnie went 3-for-8 with two runs scored.
As a team, MiSU had 11 hits in game 1 and 10 in game 2 and had a combined 10 runs batted in.
Ryan Bodell took the game 1 win for MiSU, while closer Mike Montross pitched himself into the win in game 2. The Beavers also got solid innings from Andy Leraas, who pitched 22/3 innings and had two strikeouts. Bodell held the Comets scoreless in 61/3 innings in game 1 and had five strikeouts.
“I couldn’t have asked for anything more from my pitchers all weekend,” Weppler said. “All of them did an outstanding job and they have really gained a lot of confidence. It helps them when they know that our guys can rack up hits in a hurry also.”
Mayville was led by Kyle Swenson, who was 4-for-4 in game 2 and 1-for-3 in game 1. The Comets’ Ryan Cramer also hit a long ball Monday, while pitchers Pat Waterman and Jason Gradidge were tagged with the losses on the mound.
The Beavers are up next Wednesday when they play host to Dickinson State in a non-conference doubleheader at Corbett Field starting at 2 p.m.
“We have Dickinson up next and we’ve seen them a couple of times, but we are feeling like a different team right now,” Krasowski said. “We’re hoping to take the momentum gained here and build on it for the rest of the season.”

Hornecker Stays Home
Ryne Hornecker hopes his next four years go as well as his last four years have gone.
Both on and off the field.
Hornecker, a stalwart defensive player for Minot High School and the Minot Vistas American Legion Baseball team, decided Wednesday to continue his career at Corbett Field. Hornecker signed a letter of intent to play baseball for Minot State University.
“I really liked high school and had a great time,” he said. “I hope that college goes the same way. I wasn’t one of those guys who wanted to have a change. I like it here — I can stay at home, hang out with my buddies, my family will be able to watch me play and I can be around for my little cousins’ birthdays and stuff like that.”
Hornecker joins nine current players who have ties to the Vistas, Minot High or Bishop Ryan’s programs on the MSU roster. Of those players, seven are freshman and sophomores. That local connection can only help the Beavers in the future, according to head coach Brock Weppler.
“It is huge,” he said when asked about signing local talent. “We are trying to get the interest back for this program. This can only help with local fans as well as parents. Ryne gives us another local player who will come right in and challenge for playing time.”
Weppler also believes that his core group of current local players have influenced the next generation of players to choose to come to MSU.
“I know what they are going through. I grew up around here and MSU was the last place I wanted to play,” he said. “But we are hopefully changing that. I told Ryne to talk to Teddy (Anderson) and Marty (Jordan Martinson) and Kory (Houston) and ask them what they think of the program. I can go on and on, but it is the kids that know what we are doing here.”
With the high school season right around the corner, Hornecker was happy that he put the college process behind him. He had narrowed his decision down to MSU and the University of North Dakota, but felt staying close to home was important.
“It is a huge burden off my shoulders,” he said after signing. “Now I can just go out and play. I don’t have to think about impressing some coach on every play. I know I am going to college and am happy with my decision.
“It will help that I am familiar with everything. I know most of the guys and know the school and know that I will be playing on what I consider the best field in North Dakota.”
Hornecker helped the Vistas to back-to-back state titles and appearances in the Central Plains Regional tournaments and has been a key figure in three-straight West Region regular-season titles. He batted .332 with 32 runs batted in and also had 20 stolen bases last season for the Vistas and hit .337 with 20 RBI for the Magicians in 2007.
Hornecker will be a second generation Beavers baseball player as his dad, Brian, was a three-time all conference player for MSU in 1984-86.

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MSU Looks To Gain Momentum in Home Opener
By T.J. ALLICK
Staff Writer
tallick@minotdailynews.com
A complete game, a big game or a big hit is all that seems to be keeping the 2008 Minot State University baseball team from breaking out of its funk.
While the Beavers have been in nearly every game they’ve played and they are fresh off a split with Jamestown, they have yet to win a game in the Dakota Athletic Conference.
MSU (0-2 DAC, 3-13 overall) and head coach Brock Weppler will look to do so today in their home opener at Corbett Field starting at 1 p.m.
“It’s the first game at home and we just have to come out and find a way to win some games,” Weppler said. “We are right there every game, right there in the seventh inning with a chance to win. We were down twice to Dakota State late and we put up runs late to make it close. Then we played Dickinson and we started pouding out hits, but we didn’t get the ones we needed the most.
“It would be nice to get a win here and get the fans excited and get the guys some added confidence.”
The Beavers open their home season with a doubleheader against Dakota Athletic Conference foe Mayville State, which holds a 1-1 conference record and is 7-15 overall.
Weppler feels it will be important for MSU to get out to an early lead instead of having to play from behind.
“We have to start hitting the ball earlier, start playing with a lead. We haven’t done that,” he said. “You look at our first two innings this year, I think we’ve been outscored 22-3 or something. That’s where we are losing games — in the first two innings.”
The MSU players also feel the team is on the verge of breaking out. While they managed to split with Jamestown on Thursday in Harvey, the players are looking to sweep the doubleheader with Mayville.
“Absolutely, that’s all we need (a big win). And all we need is one big hit, and I think once we get that it will lead to that one big win and we’ll start rolling,” MSU junior Mike Ronnie said.
“(A win) would be huge,” MSU junior pitcher Josh Hvidsten said. “It’s like I was telling coach, ‘we’ve got all the links of the chain right now, but we haven’t brought all the links to the games.’ So I think it would be big for us confidence wise to come out and get a win in our first home game.”
MSU will have a little added motivation in today’s doubleheader, as it is the Beavers’ parent day also.
“We’re hoping to put together not just one, but a couple wins,” MSU junior Ryan Bodell said. “It’s a home opener and it’s parents day, so we would like to win all four, but we we want to get at least three out of four.”
MSU and Mayville play another doubleheader on Sunday beginning at 1 p.m.

Jordan King Awarded the Doug Lockrem Memorial Scholarship Award
Congratulations to Jordan King for receiving the Doug Lockrem Memorial Scholarship Award. Jordan and Brittany Walker of the MSU Women's Basketball team recieved the award Wednesday, February 20th.

The award is given to two outstanding student athlete's who demonstrate oustanding character and community involvment.

The Minot State University Baseball team helped the Dreamcatchers play in their 2nd annual “Day at the Dome” at the MSU Dome on Thursday night Nov. 15, 2007. The baseball game was a great event and both the MSU players and the Dreamcatchers had a fun filled evening.The Dreamcatchers “Day at the Dome” began last year, as it was organized by senior MSU baseball player Justin Beahm. Justin organized the event as a service learning project for a social work class he was taking at the time. The event was a success and has led to what will continue to be an annual event for the MSU Baseball Team. This year the Dreamcatchers had 33 participants for the game. The MSU Dome was divided at half court and two infields were set up for the baseball games. Two games took place. The modified rules used by the Dreamcatchers, an organization devoted to allowing disabled children to play baseball, stress participation instead of competition. Two teams took the field and two teams were up to bat. The rules are pretty easy to follow, as each person gets to bat once per inning, there are no outs, and the last batter goes around the bases until they touch home. Each player is partnered up with a MSU Baseball player that helps assist with hitting, fielding, and moving around the bases.The 33 participants were up from last year, when there were just under 20 participants. The Dreamcatchers really enjoy the evening dedicated to them and the chance to play baseball inside. Michelle Bliven, the organizations founder, compares the event to the kids “Super Bowl.” “The MSU Baseball players are just like professional athletes to these kids and they really enjoy getting the chance to interact with them” Bliven said.
MSU 1st year head baseball coach Brock Weppler was excited to help organize the event with Michelle and wants to make sure that the event continues to take place for years to come.
“It’s a great event for everyone that is involved. It’s hard to tell who enjoys the event more. You can tell by the reaction on the Dreamcatchers faces that they enjoy meeting the MSU baseball team and getting a chance to play baseball inside. If you look at the MSU players, you will see the same reaction on their faces during the game. The baseball players are a little bit apprehensive at first, but they are quick to settle in and interact with the Dreamcatchers,” Weppler said.
The two organizations also exchanged gifts. The Dreamcatchers exchanged “Blue Dreamcatcher bracelets” with the players and the Dreamcatchers received T-shirts from the event, which theplayers took time to sign.
At the end of the evening a video was shown from the Dreamcatchers 2007 year and plenty of pizza was eaten. Both organizations are looking forward to next year and making this an even better annual event.