American Legion baseball: Injury bug Casselton’s main concern
By: Eric Peterson, INFORUM
Filling out the lineup card could be the biggest challenge for Casselton American Legion baseball coach Scott Radloff as his team enters the regional tournament.
“I don’t know if experience is so much a problem this year as injuries,” said Radloff. “We’re absolutely riddled with injuries.”
Casselton, which won the North Dakota Class B state title on Sunday, plays Pratt (Kan.) at 5 p.m. today in the first round of the Division II Central Plains tournament in Le Sueur, Minn. Casselton has made it to the regional tourney in two of the past three summers.
“They’ve put Casselton on the map in the last three years as far as Legion baseball,” Radloff said. “They’ve set quite a legacy for themselves and Casselton Legion.”
Radloff had to juggle his lineup during the Class B state tournament after one of his top arms, Brandon Rust, hurt his elbow. That injury limited Rust to playing second base.
“It’s just been kind of a hodge-podge of putting healthy people somewhere and hiding some people,” said Radloff. “We had six players playing out of their natural positions (at state), just trying to figure out a way to make it work.”
Rust won’t be available to pitch at the regional, but will still play in the field.
The right-hander had impressive numbers prior to the injury, posting a 6-0 record with a 1.31 ERA and four saves. Rust has also tossed two one-hitters.
“You’re main accomplishment is to win state,” said Rust, who added he has a partially torn ligament in his elbow. “This regional is just an added bonus I think. To play a few more games and show other states what you’ve got. We’ve never seen any of these other teams before.”
Casselton has won 37 games this summer, even though its pitching staff hasn’t been at full strength all season.
Beau Sinner and Jalen Ham haven’t been able to pitch this summer after both having shoulder surgeries. Sinner was the team’s top pitcher in 2008 when Casselton also won the Legion state title.
Casselton will lean on starting pitchers Alex Jacobson, Mike Rose, Sam Schumacher and Jon Lubbers at the regional.
Jacobson has 7-0 record with a 2.39 ERA and one save. Lubbers, a 16-year-old, earned a key victory at the state tournament.
“We sure had kids step up in the state tournament and perform well,” said Radloff.
Radloff hopes those new heroes continue to emerge at the regional, which is a non-advancing tournament.
“I want the kids to finish out … and have a positive, memorable experience,” Radloff said. “The more you win, the more fun you have. I don’t know how high my expectations are with our pitching staff being a little depleted and putting kids in different positions than what they are normally used to.”
Casselton
- Record: 37-6
- Coach: Scott Radloff
Top bats
Brandon Rust (.468 BA, 6 HRs, 40 RBIs); Jacob Mogen (.410 BA, 2 HRs, 22 RBIs); Mike Rose (.509 BA, 4 HRs, 46 RBIs); Sam Schumacher (.462 BA, 6 HRs, 47 RBIs); Alex Jacobson (.474 BA, 1 HR, 40 RBIs).
Top arms
Alex Jacobson (7-0, 2.39 ERA); Mike Rose (5-2, 2.94 ERA); Sam Schumacher (6-1, 3.62 ERA); Jon Lubbers (4-2, 3.93 ERA).