Studer wins MVP award with astonishing tourney
FAIRFAX -- As the public address announcer read off the accomplishments of the most valuable player in the Class C amateur baseball tournament Monday there was little doubt whom he would eventually identify.
Brainerd Braves catcher Chris Studer had a magnificent tournament in helping the Braves to the championship. In six games at state, all Braves victories, Studer was 13-for-26 with 10 runs, 11 RBI, two doubles and six home runs. Behind the plate he had 53 putouts and six assists.
"I've got one left to go," Studer said afterward as he referred the North Central Conference MVP award he hopes to secure next spring. "My full goals are not met yet. This is a good start to get that."
Studer was like a man among boys at bat and a rock behind the plate for his pitching staff.
State amateur baseball tournament
Class C
Friday, Sept. 1
Winners Bracket
At Sleepy Eye
New Ulm Brewers 9, Waterville 8 (10 inn.)
At Fairfax
Brainerd Braves 15, Luverne 5 (8 inn.)
Losers Bracket
At Sleepy Eye
Princeton 8, Elko 7
At Fairfax
Litchfield 9, Watkins 8 (11 inn.)
Saturday, Sept. 2
Losers Bracket
At Fairfax
Princeton 6, Luverne 4
Litchfield 8, Waterville 6
Sunday, Sept. 3
Winners Bracket
At Sleepy Eye
Braves 15, New Ulm 4 (7 inn.)
Losers Bracket
At Sleepy Eye
Princeton 15, Litchfield 11
Princeton 14, New Ulm 3 (7 inn.)
Monday, Sept. 4
Winners Bracket
At Fairfax
Championship: Braves 9, Princeton 5
Class B
Saturday, Sept. 2
Winners Bracket
At Fairfax
Cold Spring 12, Marshall 7
Jordan 9, New Ulm Kaiserhoff 7
Losers Bracket
At Sleepy Eye
Rochester 13, Mankato 11
St. Michael 8, Dassel Cokato 7
Rochester 6, Marshall 4
St. Michael 23, New Ulm Kaiserhoff 19
Sunday, Sept. 3
Winners Bracket
At Fairfax
Cold Spring 16, Jordan 8
Losers Bracket
At Fairfax
Rochester 11, St. Michael 3
Rochester 10, Jordan 8
Monday, Sept. 4
Winners Bracket
At Sleepy Eye
Championship -- Rochester 5, Cold Spring 4
Cold Spring 18, Rochester 1
"He was in a slump for a while," said winning pitcher Tony Whitlock, who along with first baseman Ryan Thiesse, pitcher Luke Weiland and third baseman Jade O'Brien joined Studer on the all-tournament team. "Then all of a sudden 'Bam.' Some of those shots he hit into a stout wind in left. To get them up on a hill like that ... Every one he hit in the tournament he could almost toss the bat, stand and watch.
"He's a heck of a catcher too. I've thrown to quite a few people. I like throwing to (teammate) Marty Hill because we know each other. But Chris is by far the best at setting up. He's so good defensively. If you make a bad pitch he blocks it. He definitely deserves MVP."
Whitlock won four games in the tournament. His most impressive outing may have been a 3-2, 13-inning win in the tournament opener against Arlington.
"He's got a rubber arm," Studer said of Whitlock. "Talking to him after he threw 13 innings he said he could have gone two more easily.
"He's fantastic. He was on his heels a little bit (Monday). Even when (Princeton) kind of had him down he fought back. He threw some good pitches and the umpire didn't help him much. He's a battler. He's a fireball on the mound."
Lineup may change
This Braves team, consisting almost entirely of former Brainerd Warriors who won the Minnesota State High School League title in 1995 and were runners-up in 1996, may lose a few key individuals. O'Brien will graduate from Iowa State and Studer may play in a wood-bat league.
"You never know how many guys will be around," first-year manager Derek Schmeck said. "We wanted to get together one more time. Quite a few will be moving on with their lives."
Whitlock said the Braves set their goals high and didn't stop until their goals were met.
"It took us a while longer than we would have liked," he said. "We're still a young team. Players peak at about 27. We figured out our average age is 22.1."
The Braves will move up to Class B next season, as each Class C champion and runner-up had been mandated to do by the Minnesota Amateur Baseball State Board. However, this year the board will evaluate the status of the Class C champion and runner-up on a case-by-case basis.
"This is my first championship," Studer said. "It feels good to know we're the best team in Class C. Our goal is to get here in Class B next year and win the whole thing."
Happy Hill
Tears saturated the eyes of Marty Hill, at 33 the oldest Braves player, following the victory. He has been with the team for 16 years but wasn't surprised this group of players won the title.
"I've seen what they can do," Hill said as teammate Jeff Barrett poured champagne on Hill's head. "They're all champions. They've all been to the state tournament. This is nothing new to these guys."
Tournament tidbits
-- The Braves won the tournament's sportsmanship award.
-- Brainerd's win assured the state championship trophy will remain in Region 8C. Buckman won the state title last year.
Class C All-tournament team
BRAINERD -- Ryan Thiesse, Chris Studer, Tony Whitlock, Luke Weiland, Jade O'Brien.
PRINCETON -- Jason Miller, Tony Stay, Brian Dorr, Jesse Zimmer.
WATERVILLE -- Doug Harmon.
NEW ULM -- Jeremy Weiland, Brad Weber.
LITCHFIELD -- Jeff Gillespie, Ed Estrada.
LUVERNE -- Mike Wenninger.