By Eric Kraushar
Contributing Writer
Home runs from Ethan Hansen and Calvin James were part of an 11-hit attack for Buffalo, which advanced to the Class C state tournament semifinals with a 13-8 win over Courtland Sunday in Green Isle.
The Bulldogs will play Waconia at 5:10 p.m. in the state semifinal. Young America will face host Jordan in the other semifinal at 4:45 p.m.
Buffalo took a 4-1 lead on a three-run homer from Hansen. A two-run blast from James two innings later in the fourth upped the advantage to 6-2. The Bulldogs would take advantage of Courtland miscues to add three more runs, the final two on a Noah Christenson single.
Christenson was 5-for-6 with a double and four RBIs for Buffalo.
Courtland never backed down despite the lopsided 9-2 start, scoring in four of the first five innings. They ended up scoring a run in six innings.
Carter Lang was 2-for-4 with a two-run homer and three RBIs for the Cubs. Nolan Drill had three RBIs, while Jaden Drill was 2-for-4 with a double.
Evan Souffker earned the win, going six innings for Buffalo. John Weber threw the final three innings for the save.
