Fillmore Central/Lanesboro, Rushford-Peterson, and GMLOK baseball each made it to Memorial Day by winning two of their first three play-offs games. The Falcons and Trojans then suffered heart-breaking losses while the Bulldogs had some fun offensively, but were vanquished nonetheless.
At Winona State, Dan Mlsna’s Trojans (5-seed, 9-14) almost continued their low-seed run. Versus Randolph (2-seed, 16-4) for the 1A East Runner-Up, Halen Schwendinger’s RBI single in the top of seven put R-P ahead 2-1. The Trojans left the bases juiced. In Randolph’s seventh, the Rockets went strikeout, eight-pitch walk, past-ball, and single (runners on the corners). An error tied the game. Andrew Wenstrom’s RBI sac fly gave the Rockets the walk-off 3-2 win. Schwendinger (2-4, RBI), Dawson Dahl (2-4, R), Tim Highum (1-1, RBI, R), and Shawn Marg (6 2/3 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 0 ER, Loss) led R-P. Grant Otte (7 IP, 8 H, 2 ER, 2 K) took the win. R-P out-hit Randolph eight to four. All three of Randolph’s runs were unearned. The Trojans finish at 9-15.
In Lake City, the TRC-East’s top two teams, FC/L (2-seed, 18-5) and Caledonia (1-seed, 19-4) went after the 1AA East Runner-Up. The first 5 5/6 innings were defined by pitching and great defensive plays. In the Warrior bottom six, Casey Storlie worked a two-out nine-pitch walk. Three straight singles (in combination with two outfield bobbles) then plated three runs. Only one run was earned. FC/L went quietly in the seventh. The Warriors prevailed 3-0. Scott (2-3, 6 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 1 ER, Loss, 2-3) and Samuel Peters (2-3) led the Falcons. Keith Larson’s bunch concludes a fine season at 18-6. It’s their best campaign in over a decade (maybe ever). FCL’s seniors have posted an 8-4 record in the play-offs the past three years. Riley Means (.431, eight 2Bs, 12 SB, 27 R), Sam Peters (.349, seven 2Bs, 5-1 pitching, 1.31 ERA), Collin Scott (.405, 18 RBI, 22 R, 14 SB, 4-2 pitching, 2.30 ERA), Cole Schwichtenberg (.337, 23 RBI, 20 R, 2-1 pitching, 1.94 ERA), Walker Ward (22 RBI), Sam Rustad, and Casey Olson are bit parts of a tough group to replace.
Finally, GMLOK was the one baseball squad not to have its heart stepped on. Jamie Fenske’s group (5-seed, 8-15) faced off with Pine Island (1-seed, 16-6) for the second time in the play-offs. The Panthers won a semi-final game 16-6. The re-match in Cannon Falls, for the 1AA West Runner-Up, again saw a lot or runs scored, per a lot of hitting and a lot of walks (nine per team). The Panthers again came out the victor by a final of 17-10. Drew Copley (2-4, 2B, 3 RBI, 2 R), Ethan Fenske (2-4, 3 RBI), Zach Myhre (1-2, 3 R), Cody Merkel (2-4, R), and Reid Kruegel (2-3) did work for the Bulldogs, whose season’s ends at 8-16. They graduate just one senior.