Lakeville North Wins Section Baseball Title 2-0 over Owatonna

The Huskies had their chances, with runners in scoring postion in four innings. They even loaded the bases in the sixth. But Lakeville North earned their fourth straight trip to state.

The 2-0 Panthers win at Memorial Park in Dundas completed a perfect run through the tournament in North's return to Section 1. North (20-4) was the state runner-up last season, representing Section 3.

Tuesday's game was a pitching and defensive dual that remained scoreless until the fifth inning when Lakeville North accumulated four of their seven hits. The game-winning blow was a two-out single by Michael Dooney.

The Huskies loaded the bases in the sixth but Ross Bastyr, who went the complete game, kept OHS off the board. Owatonna's Clay Leidall threw 4 1/3 innings, giving up two runs on four hits with three strikeouts. Alec Holcomb pitched 1 2/3 innings, allowing three hits and fanning two. He was also named the Section 1AAAA player of the year.

Brett Solie went 2-for-2 with a sacrifice and a stolen base and was named the Kottke Jeweler's Diamond Player of the Game. Sam Hylle and Holcomb had the other Owatonna hits. The only error of the game was committed by North. It allowed Eric Benson to reach base early in the game. He reached second but got stranded.

Owatonna (15-10) ends the season as the section runner-up for the second straight year. Seniors on the team include Jacob Mundale, Eli Havelka, Clay Leidall, Sam Hylle, Blake Westphal, Alec Holcomb and Eric Benson.

Other Section 1 results

In Section 1AAA, Northfield repeated as section champ with a 9-0 win over Albert Lea, but only after the Tigers defeated the Raiders 9-6 to open the night.

Pine Island captured the 1AA title 4-1 over Chatfield, extending the season and career of longtime Panthers coach Craig Anderson, who is retiring after the season.

Lewiston-Altura won the Section 1A crown 7-0 over Randolph.

The state tournament in all classes begins Thursday, June 16. Class A will be at Chaska Athletic Park, Class AA is in St. Cloud, Class AAA is at Siebert Field at the University of Minnesota, and Class AAAA will be at CHS Field in St. Paul.