Fargo Post 2 Using Experience in Attempt to Repeat as Region Champions

SAM OSVAK, A 2024 SHANLEY HIGH SCHOOL GRADUAGE AND UPCOMING SOPHOMORE AT ST. JOHN'S UNIVERSITY, RETURNED TO POST 2 THIS SUMMER IN ATTEMPT TO 'RUN IT BACK."

FARGO (KVRR) – “Live the Tradition.”

That is the motto for the Fargo Post 2 legion baseball team.

“We got a chance to go back to Shelby,” said pitcher Caden Nelson. “We just need to keep building and keep winning as many games as we can.”

That is the goal every year for this Post 2 baseball program. Keep winning until the games run out.

The 29-time North Dakota State champions and five-time regional winners have the goal of adding another tally on both of those. The team believes they have what it takes to do it.

“A lot of talent for sure and pitching,” said Sam Ovsak. “Our pitching is amazing and I think all of our guys are all bought in. So, all having that one goal to go back to Shelby is our goal and I think everyone knows that on the squad.”

Post 2 sits atop the North Dakota 2A standings heading into the 4th of July weekend and boasts a 22-5 overall record, which includes a undefeated mark against just North Dakota teams.

A big reason, aside from the talent on this year’s teams, is the experience. That includes Sam Ovsak coming back for another year.

“Sam’s such a competitor,” said head coach Luke Rustad. “He’s provided a lot of leadership this year, and just with the experiences he’s had on our team for the previous two summers, those are things that you don’t see on a baseball field. Even when he’s struggling, he’s actually really helping us succeed at the same time.”

Ovsak is a 2024 graduate of Shanley and just wrapped up his freshman year at St. John’s where is he a member of the football team. He says the decision to return to Fargo for Post 2 was an easy one.

“You know, it’s kind of like, why not?” said Ovsak. “I mean, I can work for the rest of my life, so I just, I love the tradition here and I love the guys, the coaches and the staff. So, it’s just great that I have this opportunity to come back and play one more year.”

For head coach Luke Rustad, he recalls the moment Ovsak said he wanted to return to the team.

“He texted me, it was the school year in the spring or winter, and I just remember he texted me, ‘what do you think if I come back next year?'” said Rustad. “I just texted him back, ‘I don’t know’. Then I obviously said, ‘kidding’. It was a good thing to hear. We’re glad to have him. He’s a great kid, and I’ve been coaching him in different sports and school for a long time and summer. So, you know, when you get a kid back like that, it’s fun to have him.”

With Ovsak and several other players from last season’s world series participant returning, the team is ready to make the push for Shelby for the second straight season.

“You know, we’ll see where the journey takes us,” said Rustad. “I mean, that’s a tall order right now, but… I like the team. We have a lot of good pieces. We’ve got a decent blend of older guys. I mean, besides Sam being back, Jonah DeJong’s back, Levi Sveet’s back. They were on that same ride last year with everybody else. They know what it takes to compete in those types of games. Then, you know, the young players fitting in around them. Iit’s not always about what each individual does, but how the pieces fit together. Right now, I knew coming into the season, I liked our pieces. So, it’s good to see them having success. We’ll see how things go. I mean, there’s a lot of season left.”

Fargo Post 2 returns to the field Sunday, July 6, to take on the Moorhead Blues Post 21 at Jack Williams Stadium in Fargo.