With three runs in the third, the varsity nine pulled within one run of host Springfield in the first round of the section tournament.
But the third-ranked Tigers responded with seven runs in the bottom of the frame before ending the 14th seeded Clippers’ season after a 13-3 five-inning walk-off victory.
With two outs, Brady Bostic walked. Nathan Seeman walked too, and Kyle Connor hit a line drive to right for two RBIs. Connor slid in for a triple (above) and scored when Jack Voit hit into an error in left field.
Keeping the rally going, Gabe Sullivan and Caleb Connor singled after that, but the inning ended on a ground out to strand all three.
A single by Alex Garcia in the fourth was the Clippers' only other hit. They struck out four times and walked three times.
The Tigers scored three runs in the first on a single, three walks, a hit batter and a sacrifice fly. They went up 4-0 in the second on a pair of singles. The seven runs came after six walks and three singles.
They scored one run in the fifth on a double, a ground out and a passed ball. The second, game-ending run scored on a walk, a stolen base, a passed ball and a Clipper error.
Tanyon Hoheisel was on the mound for the first two and two thirds innings. He allowed three hits and nine walks while striking out three. In relief, Kale Kelley gave up four hits, walked three and struck out three.
Each team committed one error.
It was the end of a high school career for Hoheisel, Voit and Garcia.
A talented crop of younger players, who should be a boost to the program, will be coming up next year.
Springfield lost in the next round to Martin Luther/GHEC/Truman but beat Madelia in the elimination bracket. The Tigers take on Mankato Loyola/Immanuel Lutheran on Saturday. Seconded seeded New Ulm Cathedral takes on top-ranked Sleepy Eye in the semifinal on Saturday.
Photo courtesy of Patty Sullivan.