SPORTS WRAP
Playing varsity baseball in Blooming Prairie can start at a young age. The seniors on the roster – Carter Bishop, Brady Kittelson, Alex Lea, and Bo Zwiener – have basically played since sophomore year. Junior Carsten Ingvalson has caught since freshman year and sophomore Gabe Staloch got called up to shortstop late in eighth grade.
Lea says the group is close. “We’ve been growing up playing ball together. We’ve been fortunate these last few years to get some varsity reps early on,” said Lea.
Working alongside older players has helped him develop, “It’s been really nice being able to look up to the older guys and watch mechanics. Learn all that stuff and see overall how they react on the hill.”
Coach Matt Kittelson says the Awesome Blossoms have the luxury of depth on the mound with Lea and Staloch soaking up many of the innings with Ingvalson, Kittelson and Brayton Ingvalson all in the mix.
Matt Kittelson says Carsten Ingvalson gives them steadiness. “He controls the game from behind the plate. Doesn’t give up a lot of stolen bases. So, that helps. Very good at blocking and keeping the ball in front.”
Ingvalson began catching when his youth team needed one, though it took time to warm up to it, “I didn’t like the foul tips into my mask, but I got used to it. I like being involved in the game, like the whole time. There’s not really a break for me,” he said.
He says the older players made him feel welcome early in his career. “We actually had a lot of upperclassmen…They included me a lot, like going out to eat after games, after practices. They just made me feel comfortable.”
Kittelson says the defense is solid. “They just don’t make a lot of mistakes. They’re very athletic. Our outfield is really fast. They can get to pretty much anything. Even our infield. A lot of balls that might be little bloop shots over the infield, they can all get to them.”
Brady Kittelson has manned centerfield since sophomore year. “We’re really fast and can cover a lot of ground,” he said.
Kittelson leads the Blooming Prairie speed show on the bases. “I’d say this is probably the quickest team we’ve had in a long time in BP history. We’ve dang near got the school record for team steals already this early in the season. We’ve been showing off our speed and stealing a lot of bases this year,” he said.
No one more so than Kittelson. “It’s definitely just the jump and being able to read the pitchers’ moves so you can get a good jump off of them.”
“Couple of guys, when they get a single and it’s not too long and they’re on third.” BP is averaging about eight steals a game with a high of 14 or 16,” said Matt Kittelson.
Staloch is new to the pitching rotation this season. “So far, it’s been pretty good. I’ve found my groove. It’s been a lot of fun. Knowing what you’re going to do and when to do it is a lot different on varsity.”
The shortstop works on his fielding year-round, “I play baseball all summer outside of spring. And even just in my backyard with my dad hitting me grounders.”
He’s enjoying the season, “Everything’s been a lot of fun. Even going to practice with these guys. Hope we get to keep going.”
Complete games
Owatonna baseball scored a 10-0 five-inning win over St. Paul Central Saturday at Fuller Field. Connor Wiese struck out six and allowed four hits while going the distance. He also had two hits and two RBIs including the game-ending swing.
Bentley Arvig had two hits. Andy Mitchell and Jack Meneguzzo had back-to-back RBI doubles in the five-run first inning.
Tanner Smith tossed a complete game four-hitter last Thursday in a 5-1 win at Mankato East for a season sweep. Tyler Sheehan moved runners up with a two-strike bunt. Gavin Saxton then drove in those runners.
Walk-off win
Jessalynn Smith delivered a long fly ball over a drawn in outfield to knock in the winning run with two outs in the bottom of the seventh inning for a 4-3 win over Rochester Mayo at Federated Park last Wednesday. Ava Fisher’s fielder’s choice tied the game just before that. Keeli Doran sparked the big inning with a lead-off bunt single.
Kendra Bogen and Leighton Nelson hit solo homeruns early in the game. Coach Jeremy Moran said, “Lilly Trager was strong in the circle again and the defense was solid behind her.”
Nelson had a pair of doubles and two RBIs a day earlier in a 6-5 win over Edina. Bogen hit a homer. “An absolute rocket over the centerfield fence,” stated Moran, who added, “The difference was our defense.”
The Huskies lost to Class AAA No. 1 Mankato East 5-2 on Thursday. OHS stranded nine runners on base, five in scoring position, “We could not get hits in those key situations.” Moran was pleased with their approach to future Gopher Kylinn Stangl. “We drew some walks and were able to put the ball in play.”
Snap to it
Considering I’ve featured a couple of extreme runners recently; I would like to take some time to explore a more conservative approach to exercise. OHS grad Nick Steel is running ultramarathons 100 miles at a time. Owatonna’s Beth Svenby is running across the country, one state at a time.
However, you don’t need to be so immersed in working out to improve your health. Amy Martinez owns Snap Fitness in Owatonna. “Everybody starts somewhere. A lot of people are intimidated to come to the gym or think people are watching you. They aren’t. The most important thing is just getting started. Come for 10 minutes and just start there. Then build on that. It doesn't have to be every day for an hour… Don’t set unrealistic expectations,” said Martinez.
It’s doesn’t have to be a New Year’s resolution to get you in the door. “I think over the last couple of years it has been busy consistently throughout the year, ever since COVID-19 ended and things picked back up and fitness centers were back in action.”
Martinez recently went through a renovation at Snap Fitness. “Painted all of the walls. Painted the ceiling. Replaced all of the ceiling tiles. New light fixtures, flooring. Got some new equipment. Added an infrared sauna, an InBody scanner. Refreshed the vibe,” she said.
The 24-hour facility at 1824 South Cedar has cardio equipment, strength machines, free weights, squats racks, kettlebells and personal trainers. The Snap Fitness app offers videos, nutrition planning, workout tracking and challenges.
She says working out can become addictive and can improve your mental attitude. “Jobs are stressful. Life is stressful. Everything is always so busy. So, taking just a little bit of time to focus on yourself.
“If I just make it a habit of being active every day, it makes me a lot more productive throughout the day. Then my mind is a lot more clear to focus.”
See the full conversation with Amy Martinez on OwatonnaLive.com.
Baseball and BBQ
Owatonna’s Youth 1st program is hosting its annual Baseball and BBQ on Thursday, May 8 and Friday, May 9 at Cash Wise Foods, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. For delivery on orders of 10 meals or more, contact Mark Arjes at 612-968-9192.
Proceeds go toward Youth 1st team awards and the Owatonna Parks and Recreation Youth Scholarship Fund.
Color Run
OHS National Honor Society hosts their Third Annual Color Run on Saturday, May 10 to benefit Community Pathways. Check in begins at 7:30 a.m. at the high school. There is a kids’ run at 9 a.m. with the 5K run/walk at 9:30 p.m. There is a silent auction as well.
OwatonnaLive.com play-by-play schedule
Thursday, May 8
OHS baseball vs. Mankato West, DH, 4 p.m.
OHS girls lacrosse vs. Rochester Century, 7:15 p.m.
Friday, May 9
OHS baseball vs. Minneapolis Washburn, 6 p.m.
Saturday, May 10
OHS boys lacrosse vs. Farmington, 7:30 p.m.
Monday, May 12
Medford softball vs. NRHEG, 4:30 p.m.