New Ulm destroys Winstead in state quarterfinals

 Jordan, MINN.

By Jeff Barthel

The definition of dominance was on display today by the New Ulm Brewers.

Led by an 18-hit, 13-run attack, the Brewers demolished the Winstead Wildcats 18-3 to advance to the Class C amateur baseball tournament semifinals, where New Ulm will battle the hometown Jordan Brewers back here at the Mini Met in this afternoon.

"We just kept giving it to them,” starting pitcher Chris Cariveau said of his team’s offense. “We know it’s the state tournament, so we’ve got to score as many runs as we can.”

New Ulm SP Chris Cariveu

Offense was not the only facet in which the Brewers dominated. Cariveau stumped the Winstead bats to the tune of three hits and one run allowed in seven innings of work.

Following the game, New Ulm veteran catcher Brady Ranweiler could not say enough about his starting pitcher and battery mate.  

“Chris is a kind of a pitcher that I think every single team here would like to have,” Ranweiler said. “ I think for  New Ulm baseball, he’s probably pitched more big games than anybody … He doesn’t have that big power arm, but he definitely has enough stuff to keep the others team off-balanced.”

Cariveau – a righthander and native of New Ulm – struck out seven batters in his seven innings. He was also fortunate to work with a 5-0 lead right out of the gates.

Rightfielder Garrett Fischer ignited the carnage, with a one-out triple off Winstead starter Nik Frank. The next five Brewers batters went as follows:

Single. Single. Single. Fielder’s choice. Walk. And finally another single … Five runs scored before the Wildcats bats even had a chance to rebut.

New Ulm LF Jason Shaul

New Ulm added three more runs in the fifth, followed by a pair of runs in both the sixth and the seventh. Winstead notched a run in the fourth, but that would be all. It was not a good day for Wildcats bats or pitching. Three hits and Winstead's lone run, coupled by a rough performance by Franck (1 IP, 5 H, BB, 4 ER) and the Section 7D representatives were sent packing.

Brady Reinweler (not to be confused with his brother and Brewers second baseman, Cory) finished the game as one of three New Ulm hitters with three hits. He also had a walk, RBI and run scored.

“When he hits the ball, it’s with real authority,” manager Al Flor said of his 20-year veteran. “Everyone looks to him to be the leader. When he does well, everybody follows.”

New Ulm faces its next opponent – Jordan – as it will be Brewers versus Brewers this evening at 5:00.

* Photos for this story were contributed by Chandrasekar Umathurappan. Thanks, Uma!