Minnesota Blizzard Baseball

"When you see the light bulbs go off for a 12-year old, it is the best feeling in the world," 12u Blizzard Head Coach Brent Peters said.  "We have worked hard to play the right way, the Blizzard way, and these kids have come so far since the beginning of the season."

The culmination of tryouts this past July, practice for 8-months, a fall league schedule and five tournaments has brought many of those 'light bulb' moments that has seen kids who have made their first Blizzard Elite teams like Joey Longo to players who have played in the program since they were 12-years old like senior Tommy Seaberg.

This past weekend, three teams - the 12u, 13u and 14u Blizzard Elite teams all played in the last tournament the Blizzard Elite program has this year - the USSSA NIT Spring Championships II.

BLIZZARD 12u Mini Cap

The Blizzard 12u team may have had their strongest tournament showing of the year but didn't have any hardware to bring home after finishing the tournament 2-1-1.  The 12u threw a no-hitter game one when Aaron Lagios, Addison Metcalf and Joey Hurth combined to throw a no hitter.  Couple that with a Bennett McCollow HR and the team secured a #2 seed in the top bracket with a 2-0-1 record.  The 12u team lost a hard-fought battle in their quarter-final game 6-4 vs. the RC Fire.

BLIZZARD 13u Mini Cap

The Blizzard 13u team played well behind such 'veterans' Anthony Lavalle, Max Carlson, Andrew Mathies, Sean LeRoux, Will Wamre and Jeremy Klick but the ball didn't bounce their way this weekend as the team finished 1-3.  Despite a solid offensive effort on the weekend, it was not enough to overcome some quality 13u teams in Arizona.  They took a 6-1 lead into the 5th inning of their semi-final game before giving up the lead in the last inning.

"Our team played hard and with effort," Coach Clarke Comer said.  "We were clicking on all cylinders our last game but fell into a funk that we couldn't get out of.  Coaching this team has been really fun this year and it has been enjoyable to teach these young kids about playing the game."

BLIZZARD 14u Mini Cap

The Blizzard 14u had a record of 5-2 this weekend and earned a 3rd Place finish.  Their final day of play included 21 innings of baseball in 90 degree heat capped by a 13-12 win over the Arizona Halos.

"These kids played their hearts out," Coach Adam Barta said.  "We had five new players added for this tournament and they were nothing less than spectacular.  Bennett Theisen, Jack Munsterteiger, Caiden Bruns, Drew Gilbert and Taylor Broderson contributed like they have been playing with these guys all year.  Our guys bond quick.  I'm not sure if they have more fun on the baseball field or in the van rides or hotel.  They practiced hard and came together in less than a day.  It was pretty remarkable."

After beating the Colorado Spring Falcons 12-4 behind a solid pitching outing by Will Roguske, Bennet Theisen and Will Goodin, the fell in their only pool game to the California Hawks 10-9.  That game saw Addison Elcombe hit an RBI 3B and RBIs by Charlie Rubendall and Bennett Theisen.

Game 3 was a winning effort against the Arizona Hawks 6-3 behind a dominant 4-inning outing by Rochester's Caiden Bruns.  Will Goodin and Drew Gilbert both had two-out RBI with Addison Elcombe pitching an RBI in as well.

The first play off game was a dominant outing when the Blizzard saw some revenge against the Hawks when Bennett Theisen twirled a gem in a 13-1 win.  Jakob Kouneski, Will Frisch, Will Roguske, Addison Elcombe, Bennett Theisen, Charlie Rubendall and Jack Munsterteiger all had RBI.

The Blizzard beat the Corona Reds in the Quarter Finals 9-7 behind a solid pitching performance by Will Roguske and Jack Munsterteigers RBI 3Bs.  Rubendall and Goodin both pitched in two-out RBI.

The Blizzard lost their semi-final game 5-3.  Taylor Broderson and Jakob Kouneski each had RBIs.  Frisch, Kouneski and Theisen all threw one inning of great baseball but came up short to get to the championship game.

The 3rd Place finish was capped by a 12-11 win agains the AZ Halos and saw a lot of offense, pitching and heat - for both teams.  The Blizzard won with a Taylor Broderson one out save that capped a tournament that will not soon be forgotten for it's success, friendships and great stories throughout the weekend !

Blizzard Tryout Dates