MSHSL State Baseball Tournaments Produce Thrillers
The Zumbrota-Mazeppa Cougars took a two run lead into the bottom of the 7th but saw Foley walk-off on a bases loaded sacrifice fly in MSHSL Class 2A State Baseball action in St. Cloud.
Hunter Ohn, Sophomore, started on the hill for the Cougars, going the first 6 and 1/3 innings, striking out 11 batters, walking 3 (1 intentional), giving up 9 hits, 5 runs, all earned, with 4 wild pitches.
Kaleb Lochner, Senior, came in with 1 out in the bottom of the 7th inning and the game tied before surrendering the run that determined the winner.
The Cougars had a 5-3 lead going into the bottom of the final inning and got an out to start that Foley half before Tatum Emmerich hammered a double.
The next batter swung and missed at what would have been strike 3 and out 2, but a wild pitch was recorded allowing him to gain first and advance the other runner. Ohm was replaced by Lochner on the mound.
The next batter was walked, then there was a hit batter to load the bases setting up the Falcons heroics.
Foley had 10 hits, Zumbrota-Mazeppa 8 hits in the game. Each team had 1 error. The Falcons amassed 2 doubles and a home run while the Cougars had 2 doubles and a triple in the contest.
Preston Ohm, Senior, delivered one of the doubles, Dane Damson, Junior, the other double and Hunter Streit, Senior, smacked the 2-run triple. Will Nordquist, Junior, had 2 hits and 2 RBI.
The game took 2:18.
Zumbrota-Mazeppa (17-8) in their first-ever trip to state plays 12:15 p.m. at Orthopedic Field in St. Cloud Friday, June 14, 2024 in Consolation Bracket against Montevideo (20-6).
Montevideo Hawks gave defending State Champion Esko a great game but the Eskomoes prevailed 3-2. The Hawks were held to 2 hits (both doubles) while Esko had 6 hits in the game including two doubles and a triple.
Esko will tangle with Foley at 1:00 p.m. Friday, June 14, 2024 at Dick Putz Field in St. Cloud.
The other side of the bracket #2 seed Rockford (24-5) edged Blake (14-11) by a 2-1 score and #3 seed Perham Yellowjackets (22-3) were defeated by Le Sueur-Henderson (20-6). The Giants won 9-1.
Rockets and L-H meet 11:00 a.m. at Dick Putz Field with winner advancing to championship game at Target Field 1:00 p.m. Monday, June 17, 2024.
The Section 1 Class A Champion #3 seed Lyle/Pacelli Athletics also held a 4-2 lead going into the 6th inning of their game against Sacred Heart, but lost 7-5.
The Eagles flew 5 runs across home plate in the top of the 6th inning.
#2 seed Parkers Prairie Panthers blanked Heritage Christian Academy of Minneapolis 3-0.
The Hawks (17-5) go up against the Athletics (19-4) 10:00 a.m. at Bob Cross FIeld in St. Cloud for a Consolation Bracket game.
Top seed Cherry Tigers (21-3) doubled up Lac qui Parle Valley Eagles (17-7) by a 6-3 score while Springfield Tigers (23-2) set up the cat fight with a 4-0 win over New York Mills.
Cherry and Springfield collide 1:30 p.m. at Joe Faber Field in St. Cloud. Winner advances to Target Field Monday and loser stays and plays for Third Place at 3:00 p.m.
New York Mills (19-6) and Lac qui Parle Valley play at 12:15 p.m. on Bob Cross Field with winner playing in Consolation Championship there at 2:30 p.m.
Class 4A Section 1 representative Farmington was #2 seed but lost a pitcher's duel 1-0 to Forest Lake. The Tigers (24-4) will play fellow South Suburban Conference member Eastview Lightning (14-14) 9:00 a.m. Friday, June 14, 2024 at Palm Field in Consolation action.
The Lightning lost to defending Champions East Ridge Raptors (19-6) by a 7-1 score.
Raptors and Rangers play a semifinal at CHS Field in St. Paul Noon Friday, June 14, 2024.
Top seed Wayzata Trojans (25-0) continued their dream season with a 6-5 win over St. Cloud Crush (19-6).
#5 seed Mounds View Mustangs (19-8) galloped to a 11-1 six inning victory over #4 seed Minnetonka Skippers (17-8) setting up a 2:30 p.m. semifinal between the Trojans and Mustangs at CHS Field.
Skippers hop into consolation contest against Crush at 11:30 a.m. Friday, June 14, 2024 at Palm Field.
Consolation Championship scheduled for 2:00 p.m.
Third Place game will be 5:00 p.m. Friday, June 14, 2024 at CHS.
Semifinals winners go to Target Field for 7:30 p.m. title game Monday, June 17, 2024.
