Wiese tosses no-hitter, VFW and Legion win
Post 77’s Teagun Ahrens crosses home plate after launching a towering two-run home run in the bottom of the first inning against Albert Lea Post 56. Ahren’s home run gave Post 77 a two-run lead in what would end as a 6-3 win for the squad. Staff photo by Johnnie Phillips
Both Owatonna’s VFW and American Legion Post 77 baseball teams won early last week, with VFW’s Connor Wiese throwing a no-hitter in a 6-0 win over Winona, and Post 77’s Teagun Ahrens blasting a go-ahead, two-run homer to spark a 6-3 win against Albert Lea.
The wins helped Post 77 move into second place at 5-2 overall in the Legion standings. The VFW moves into fourth in its division, with a 5-2 record.
Wiese’s big day on the mound included seven full innings with 10 strikeouts and one walk – which ended the ace’s bid for a perfect game in the fifth inning.
However, he ended up getting the job done on both sides of the plate, adding two hits, two runs and one RBI to lead the team offensively as well.
In total, VFW put up six runs on six hits to dispatch Winona.
Post 77 faced greater resistance from Albert Lea, but still managed to hold on for the win despite some early fireworks.
After holding off Albert Lea in the first inning, Ahrens launched his high-flying home run to deep right field to score teammate Mitch Seykora from second base and put Post 77 up 2-0.
Albert Lea responded with a run in the top of the second, but Post 77 put together a string of hits in the bottom of the inning to score four more runs and go up 6-1.
The last runs of the game came in the top of the third inning when Albert Lea scored twice more.
Post 77’s Carson Olson held Albert Lea in check on the mound, pitching seven innings and allowing three runs on six hits with two strikeouts.
At the plate, Ahrens led the squad with two hits, one run, and four RBIs – all team highs in the game.
Post 77 will play Rochester Lourdes next at Dartts Park on Friday, July 7, at 7 p.m., while VFW will host Century at home on Sunday, July 9, at 11 a.m.