Minnehaha Academy’s Alex Fedje-Johnson may have just earned himself a nickname.

The junior pitcher was impressive in his first start, striking out 12 batters and taking a no-hitter into the bottom of the seventh inning against Independent Metro Athletic Conference rival Blake on Wednesday at Gordy Aamoth Stadium in Hopkins.

He gave up two hits and one run before closing out the side to preserve the Redhawks’ 5-1 victory over the Bears. It was a performance reminiscent of a staff "Ace.”

Whether the moniker sticks will depend on how the 6-foot, 170-pound Fedje-Johnson does in future starts. But that future looks bright after this debut, which was earned after a successful stint as a reliever.

“He’s been very efficient when he’s gone in (relief),” Minnehaha Academy coach Scott Glenn said after Wednesday’s win. “We wanted to give him a shot as a starter, and obviously he’s running with it.” 

That efficiency could be attributed to Fedje-Johnson’s quick delivery, with no wasted time between pitches. 

“I like working fast,” Fedje-Johnson said. “I think it keeps the hitters off-balance, and it keeps me fresh and loose.”

Having a no-hit bid broken up in the last inning didn’t completely dampen Fedje-Johnson’s spirits. 

“Obviously, you’re a little disappointed,” he said. “I didn’t make a great pitch and the kid hit it well…I’m just glad we got the win.”

The Redhawks, ranked No. 6 in the Class 2A coaches poll, improved 7-1 overall and 2-0 in conference play with the victory over the No. 11-2A Bears (5-2, 1-1).

Fedje-Johnson also scored the Redhawks’ first run, crossing home plate on a passed ball in the sixth inning. It was the first of five runs scored by Minnehaha Academy on wild pitches and throwing errors in the inning. 

“We’ll take runs any way we can get them,” Glenn said with laugh. 

Fedje-Johnson’s pitching performance may have been a bit of a surprise, but his success at the plate is not.

He was an all-conference selection in the Tri-Metro Conference as a sophomore and finished the year with 31 hits, nine doubles, 21 RBI and a .456 batting average in 68 at-bats.

Fedje-Johnson has continued that production this season with a team-high 11 hits and six walks heading into Wednesday’s game. 

Minnehaha Academy needs Fedje-Johnson to play at a high level to help the team accomplish its goal of reaching the Class 2A state tournament. The Redhawks, whose only appearance came in 2013, also need the leadership of players such as senior second baseman Ford Schroeder, who has signed to play baseball Augustana College (S.D.). 

Schroeder went 2-for-4 with a run scored against the Bears and is a two-time all-conference selection. He said making that second trip motivates his teammates, especially after Minnehaha Academy fell just short last year when it lost to Holy Angels in the Section 4 final.

“If we don’t make it to state, (the season) is a bust,” Schroeder said.

Junior pitcher Alexander Fedje-Johnson (27) of Minnehaha Academy throwing a pitch. Junior truck out 12 batters and pitched a complete game in a 5-1 victory over Blake. Photo by Chris Juhn

Pitcher Alexander Fedje-Johnson (27) of Minnehaha Academy throwing a pitch. The junior struck out 12 batters and pitched a complete game in a 5-1 victory over Blake. Photo by Chris Juhn

First Report

Junior pitcher Alexander Fedje-Johnson struck out 12 batters and pitched a complete game, leading Minnehaha Academy past Blake 5-1 in Independent Metro Athletic Conference action on Wednesday afternoon at Gordy Aamoth Stadium in Hopkins.

Fedje-Johnson allowed just two hits and two walks in his first start of the season. He also scored the game’s first run, crossing home on a passed ball in the top of the sixth inning.

The Redhawks (7-1, 2-0), ranked No. 6 in the Class 2A coaches poll, took advantage of several more Bears’ miscues to add four more runs in the inning. 

No. 11-2A Blake (5-2, 1-1) scored in the bottom of the seventh when senior outfielder Stuart Hesdorffer hit a double that brought home senior catcher Jacob Chenitz.

Senior second baseman Ford Schroeder went 2-for-4 with a run scored, while senior left fielder Nicholas Terlizzi, sophomore third baseman Ken Kiralti and senior Gunnar Nelson each scored a run for Minnehaha Academy.

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