By Mike Bialka
Contributing Writer
JORDAN – Right-hander Ben Shepard pitched six solid innings to lift the Hopkins Berries past the Sobieski Skis 5-1 in the opening round of the Class B state tournament Saturday.
Shepard, a former Minnesota Gopher, didn’t allow an earned run, yielded just four hits while fanning five and walking one.
Gabe Olson went three shutout innings to close the game for the Berries. He permitted just one hit while whiffing two and walking two.
Hopkins’ Brock Zimmer was 2-for-4 with a 2-run single in the third. Teammate Andrew Fazio was 2-for-3 with an RBI single in the fourth.
Sobieski’s Beau Thoma was 3-for-4 and plated the only Skis run with an RBI single in the fifth. The Skis finish 15-9.
Starting and losing pitcher Matt Filippi went 2-for-3 at bat for Sobieski. Filippi threw five innings allowing three runs and five hits with three strikeouts and a walk.
Colin Eckman finished on the mound for Sobieski surrendering three hits and a walk.
Hopkins (11-9) plays plays the North St. Paul Snowmen/Victoria Vics winner 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 24 at Green Isle.
