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Photo by Emma Geiwitz
Fillmore Central football and boys basketball each had high-water seasons. After three baseball games, with help from some Lanesboro kids, baseball is off to a strong start. Josh Jones’ group went 3-0 to start the season, including notching a notable non-conference win. They began by sneaking by TRC rival Rushford-Peterson. FC/L led 3-1 after three but R-P had a four-run fourth to lead 5-3. The Trojans had the bases loaded in the sixth, but Falcon Cooper Ferrie got the last two outs via “K.” The game’s key play came a half inning later. After FC/L’s first two batters walked, on a Ty Sexton sacrifice bunt attempt, an error sent the throw to first down the right field line. Both Falcon runners scored to tie the game (including speedy Bryce Corson from first). Levi Rogers then had the game-winning, two-out, off-the-pitcher single a few batters later, scoring Sexton. The Falcons went head, and prevailed, 6-5. Ferrie (2-2, 3B, R, 3 2/3 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 4 BB, 7 K) did double duty in recording the win. Stephen Schultz (2-4, 2B), Rogers (1-4, 2 RBI), Jacob Mandelko (2-2, RBI, R), Corson (1-1, 2 R), and Peyton Olson (1-3, 2B, R) also did work. R-P was led by Zach Baker (2-4, two 2B, R), Caden Johnson (2-3, two SB), Riley Tesch (1-3, 2B, 2 R), Rylan Schneider (1-4, 2 RBI), and Evan Skalet (5 IP, 7 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 4 BB,
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Photo by Paul Trende
1 K, No Decision). FC/L then hosted Goodhue. In a 4-4 game in the fifth, a Mandelko single plated Rogers for the go-ahead run. FC/L went on to win 7-4. Dillon O’Connor did double duty (2-2, HR, 3 RBI, 4 2/3 IP, 10 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 2 BB, 9 K), hitting a first inning two-run home run and grabbing the pitching win. Schultz (2-4, 2 RBI), Sexton (1-3, RBI, 2 R), and Gunner Benson (2 2/3 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K, Save) helped. The Falcons then beat defending 1A champ and Class A runner-up Hayfield by 13-4 final. Schultz (1-3, 4 RBI, R) hit a sixth inning three-run home run to make it an 8-4 Falcon lead. The Falcons then tacked on a five-run seventh. Ferrie (6 1/3 IP, 4 H, 4 R, 0 ER, 3 BB, 5 K,) nearly went the distance in recording the win. Mandelko (2-3, RBI, 3 R), Corson (1-3, 2B, 2 RBI, 2 R), Sexton (1-2, RBI, 2 R), O’Connor (1-2, RBI, 2 R), and Olson (2-4, 2 R) also did work offensively. Hayfield beat FC/L 20-4 in last year’s playoffs. The Falcons are 1-0, 3-0.
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