By Nick Gerhardt
nickgerhardt@mnbaseball.org
Sartell’s John Schumer outdueled Elko’s Jake Petricka Friday in a surprising 3-1 victory for the Muskies at Vollmer Field in Glencoe.
The Muskies moved up to Class A this season after competing in Class C. Sartell emerged from the Section 8 tournament as the second seed, falling to the Moorhead Mudcats in a pitcher’s duel. Sartell, the 2012 Class C state champion became a fixture at the state tournament. In a different class this season, it didn’t make a difference, the Muskies still found a way to extend their season.
Schumer locked horns with Petricka, the former Chicago White Sox reliever, and retired 12 straight batters at one point after surrendering a lead-off single in the fifth inning. Schumer threw a seven-inning perfect game earlier in the season against Becker where he needed only 52 pitches.
Jace Otto supplied all the offense Schumer needed with a bases-loaded, two-out double to score three runners. The Muskies strung together three hits, including two with two outs to take the lead.
Petricka limited Sartell to just two hits through five innings before the Muskies broke through. Petricka went eight innings, struck out six, walked none and allowed three runs on eight hits.
Schumer, who threw a three-hit shutout in 2023 against New York Mills, twirled another gem, keeping the Express off-balance with a good mix of breaking balls and fastballs.
Elko mounted a rally in the top of the ninth inning. Easton Richter hit a solo home run to right field to cut the lead to 3-1. TJ Evanson followed with a double, but Schumer got two fly balls to left field to end the game.
The Express emerged from Section 1 as the No. 4 seed after falling to the Rochester Royals.
Sartell moves on to face the Section 2 champions Chaska Sunday, Aug. 24 at 11 a.m. in Gaylord.
