The Rochester Redhawks had all parts of their game working this past weekend, and the result was the championship of the Holmen, Wis., American Legion tournament.
The Redhawks won twice Saturday and twice Sunday, beating the host team in the championship game.
Holmen's high school team finished second in the Wisconsin baseball tournament in the large-school category and had been winning games by large margins in Legion baseball.
The Redhawks, behind pitchers Vince Anderson and Matt Meyer, won the championship game 6-4.
Overall, the Rochester team had 55 hits in the four games, while allowing just 13 hits by opponents. Tim Gerlesberger was 7-for-11 with two homers in the tournament. Tom Senne was 7-for-12 and two homers. Andy Leisen went 7-for-14 and Ben Becker 8-for-16.
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In addition, the team pulled off a rare triple play Saturday in the first game, which coach Jim Sonju said set the tone for the rest of the tournament.
"That was one of the best plays I've seen, maybe ever," said Sonju.
With bases loaded and nobody out, right fielder Becker made a running catch, then threw a strike to catcher Tim Wahl to get the second out. Wahl then gunned a throw to third to Gerlesberger, who tagged out the runner for the third out.
The Redhawks beat GDS Select 10-1 in that first game. Brandon O'Reilly had a four-hitter, with four strikeouts. Becker went 3-for-4 and Gerlesberger 2-for-3.
In the second game Saturday, Ben Heydt went four innings on the mound and Becker one inning as they combined for a one-hitter in a 16-2 win over GET Blue. The Redhawks had 19 hits. Leisen and Becker each had two hits. Gerlesberger was 3-for-3 and Meyer was 3-for-3. Ryan Rank made a diving catch in the outfield and hit two doubles and a triple.
In Sunday's first game, the Redhawks beat Black River Falls 12-2. Tom Senne had two homers and Gerlesberger had one. Josh Brady and Leisen each had two hits and pitcher Zach Nesler threw a three-hitter.
Then in the championship against Holmen, Brady, Senne, Leisen and Becker all had two hits.
The Redhawks improve to 17-6 overall after starting out 3-3. Four of their losses are by one run.
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Next up is a big game Tuesday against rival Rochester A's.
