The Slayton 11U Baseball Team showcased grit, talent, and consistency throughout their 2026 travel season, culminating in a third‑place finish at the Minnesota Baseball Tournaments (MBT) 11A State Tournament. After going undefeated for the weekend earning them the championship at the Prior Lake Tournament earlier in June, securing their place among 40 qualifying teams statewide. Slayton entered the State Tournament as the No. 14 seed.
In their opening game, Slayton made a statement against the Minneapolis Millers, collecting 16 hits and cruising to a 16–4 victory. Jack Zens and Jarrett Bobeldyk handled pitching duties, combining for five innings on the mound while allowing only four run. Bobeldyk and Merrick Bonnstetter led the offense with three hits each.
Slayton’s momentum carried into their matchup with Rosemount, where the team erupted for 27 hits and a commanding 28–4 win. Russell Larson headlined the performance with five hits and five RBI, while Brennly Plotz, Carter Sell, and Jack Zens added four hits apiece. Strong contributions from Plotz, Bonnstetter, and Creek Johnson on the mound ensured Slayton remained undefeated in pool play.
Their final pool game brought a competitive challenge from Prior Lake. Despite tallying six hits and a late push in the third inning, Slayton fell just short, dropping a 6–5 decision. Zens, Plotz, and Sell shared pitching duties in the narrow loss.
Awarded the No. 1 seed in their pool, Slayton opened bracket play against Lake Elmo with immediate fireworks. Carter Sell launched a two‑run home run to center field, sparking a 19‑hit performance from the entire lineup. Sell, Larson, and LeTendre combined for solid innings on the mound as Slayton advanced with a 23–7 victory.
Next up was Goodview Sandlot. Sell delivered a strong start, striking out five over three and a third innings, while Larson provided effective relief. Plotz and LeTendre powered the offense with five combined RBI, guiding Slayton to an 8–3 win and a berth in the tournament’s final four.
In one of the day’s most thrilling matchups, Slayton faced the Chatfield Gophers. After battling to a 2–2 tie through two innings, Chatfield surged ahead with a five‑run third. Slayton responded with heart and resilience, plating six runs in the sixth inning to take an 8–7 lead. However, Chatfield managed a walk‑off double in the bottom half, edging Slayton 9–8 in a dramatic finish. Plotz and Bonnstetter paced the offense with three hits each.
With pride and determination still running high, Slayton entered the true third‑place game against Minnetonka. The team’s bats stayed hot, producing 18 hits in a 21–9 victory. LeTendre and Sell led the charge with seven combined hits and eight RBI, while Bobeldyk, Plotz, Josiah Paulzine, Russell Larson, and Harrison Larson rounded out a balanced offensive attack. Plotz, LeTendre, and Bonnstetter worked together on the mound to secure the final win of the season.
Slayton finished their travel season with an outstanding 16–3 overall record. In addition to their third‑place finish at the MBT State Tournament, they captured championships in both the Prior Lake and Pipestone tournaments and earned second place in Worthington.
For the Slayton 11U Baseball Team, the summer was defined by teamwork, resilience, and steady improvement — a season the players, coaches, and community will remember for years to come.
