End of state tourney drought for Fort Ripley, Braves

Eight years have passed since the Fort Ripley Rebels and Brainerd Braves played in the state tournament.

Both will end their droughts Sunday when they open state play Sunday at Gaylord. Fort Ripley will play Hampton at 11 a.m. and the Braves will take on Cannon Falls at 1:30 p.m.

The Rebels won the Victory League North Division regular-season title and the Region 8C championship. Nick Jelacie leads Fort Ripley at the plate with a .400 average, followed by Austin Schmolke at .380 and Brett Kramer at .320.

Kramer picked up two wins in the region tournament, with lefty Ethan Branum collecting the other. Josh Haberman and Billy Sather have also been effective for the Rebels.

Fort manager Tim Veith said pitching and defense have been carrying the Rebels, who have committed just two errors in the last four games.

"Brett's been throwing good for us, and we're playing good defense," Veith said. "We're not going to put a lot of runs on the board, but our pitching and defense, the last half of the year, have been good for us. Ethan has been throwing well, too."

Meanwhile, the Braves, got hot when it counted, winning the North Division playoff title and finishing second in the region. They were 11-6 entering the postseason and have won six of their last eight games.

"Really, our record didn't show how good we were," Braves manager Nate Foss said. "We didn't start playing well until midway through the season. We had a lot of new guys on the team so it took a while for everyone to feel comfortable and start meshing together.

"We're in the position we thought we should be in, or could be in, at the beginning of the year. The pieces of the puzzle fell into place."

Foss said the entire team has been hitting lately, especially region tournament MVP Jason Roepke, Jamie LaDouceur and Brandon Wolf.

Tony Whitlock and John Riewer, who will play in his state-record 30th consecutive state tournament, have been the Braves' leaders on the mound, followed by Christian Larson.

"Christian has done a nice job," Foss said. "We haven't played defense behind him when he's pitched. His stats or record don't show like the other guys."

Bus chartered to watch Fort Ripley, Braves

A fan bus is being chartered to watch the Rebels and Braves play at state.

It will leave at 7:30 a.m. Sunday from the Fort Bar in Fort Ripley. Cost is $15 per person.

Anyone interested in riding should call the Fort Bar (218) 829-7300.

Fort Ripley Rebels (23-9)

Austin Schmolke, 3B

Rhett Williamson, SS

Brett Kramer, P

Joe Tautges, C (draftee from St. Mathias)

Jim Kramer, DH

Josh Haberman, LF

Jason Sather, RF

Ray Austin, 1B

Andy Waletzko, 2B

Rob Veith Jr., CF

Brainerd Braves (17-8)

Tony Whitlock or John Riewer, P

Derek Owen, 1B

Nate Foss, 2B

Ben Kepner, SS

Adam Hardy, 3B

Jamie LaDouceur, OF

Chris Klabo, OF

Chris Munsch, OF

Jason Roepke, OF

Curt Caughey, C (draftee from Harding)

Brandon Wolf, C

MIKE BIALKA may be reached at mike.bialka@brainerddispatch.com or at 855-5861.