Schuster, Budach Spark Owatonna Legion Baseball to Victory

Brady Schuster threw six strong innings and launched a two-run home run in Owatonna Post 77's 8-2 win over the Rochester A's Thursday at Fuller Field at Dartt's Park.

Schuster's blast came in the second inning after Alec Holcomb walked to open the frame and gave Owatonna a 3-1 lead. On the mound, Schuster set the A's down in order in the first inning, but Rochester threatened in nearly every inning after that. Good defense and hustle ended most of those scoring chances. In the second inning, Schuster covered the plate on a pitch that got to the backstop and tagged out a runner on a throw from catcher Tucker Alstead.

Left fielder Zach Mensink made a play on a sinking line drive in the third inning that was ruled a catch for the third out with men on base for Rochester. Second baseman Dawson Leer caught a line drive in the fourth and doubled a runner off of second. Shortstop Noah Budach raced behind second on a sharply hit ball in the sixth inning and made a strong, on-target throw to first to end an inning where Rochester had two more men aboard. Rochester stranded 11 men, including leaving the bases loaded in each of the final two innings. Matt Bothun pitched the seventh for Owatonna.

Budach opened the game with a walk and scored on a double steal after Kodey Kiel was hit by a pitch. Budach also walked in the sixth and proceeded to steal second, third and home, hollering to batter Alstead not to swing on what was a close pitch that could have been called strike three.

Owatonna Post 77 plays at Byron Monday at 6PM and Tuesday at Austin at 7PM. Their next home game is Thursday June 22 against Winona at 6PM.