The Brew Crew grabbed the hardware at the New Prague Invitational with 3 big victories over tough competition. Chad Berg, Chris Clemenson, and Jeremy Peschel were all named to the all-tournament team.
The Brewers faced the Green Mill Brewers and the Minneapolis Rocks in the first two rounds to advance to the championship game against Jordan. The Brewers beat Jordan 6-3 and got another great outing from Mike Peschel, who struck out 11 Jordan batters through 7 innings. Jordan advanced to the championship by beating Cannon Falls and St. Benedict and entered the game with a 12-2 overall record. It was noted that each team the Brewers faced in the tournament went on to win their remaining games. The Green Mill Brewers defeated Canon Falls in the consolation bracket.
The Brewers were congratulated for traveling the farthest distance of any team in the history of the long-running tournament.
The road to the championship game was interesting. 3 out of the 5 scheduled tournament games went into extra innings, including the opening game which lasted 15 innings.
In Game 1, Jeremy Peschel saved the team and the tournament by slugging a 2-out game tying solo HR in the bottom of the 7th inning against Green Mill closer Pat Gornick. Austin Baukol lead off the 8th inning with a single to right and two fielding errors led to a play at the plate with Mike Peschel sliding in and avoiding the tag to give the Brewers the go ahead run. Todd George scattered 4 hits and struck out 10, allowing 1 unearned run and going the distance in a gritty performance.
The Brewers didn't start the round 2 game (originally scheduled at 8:30) until 9:45pm. And it should be noted there was a rowdy crowd for the late game, as the Canon Falls Bears doused themselves in 12-packs to take home the beer trophy. In the nightcap game, the Brewers took care of the MPLS Rocks 4-0 behind veteran lefthander Brook Lyter. Lyter was efficient, going the distance on 83 pitches, allowing 3 hits while striking out 6. The Brewers backed him up with good defense and a 10-hit attack which produced 4 runs. Chris Clemenson went 3-4, with a run scored, Chad Berg 2-4, 2 R, and Mike Peschel went 2-2.
Brewers rookie Chad Berg lead off the championship game with a sharp single to set the tone for the Brewers offense. The bats were hot early as the Brewers netted 4 hits in the first inning and produced 3 runs to give starting pitcher Mike Peschel a nice cushion. Peschel proceeded to hold off a good hitting Jordan ballclub, striking out 11.
The Brewers have now won 2 very competitive tournaments and extend their season record to 11-1, with an eleven game winning streak. The team is looking forward to more good baseball in the month of June, with the upcoming Green Isle/Miller Lite Invitational and the Border Battle Tournament.