Hanska 13, Waterville 3 (8 inn.)
A year ago, the Hanska Lakers found themselves down a pair of runs before even taking an at-bat. This time, it was Hanska who delivered a hot start and kept that rolling the rest of the way as they opened their state tournament run with a 13-3 win in eight innings over the Waterville Indians.
The Indians had a chance to put the Lakers in an early hole in the opening inning but stranded a pair of runners. In the bottom half, Hanska showed off their deep lineup. The Lakers struck for three runs in the inning to take control of things early on.
Despite falling behind early on and letting a scoring chance of their own slip through in the first inning, the Indians answered right back in the top of the second. Waterville struck for three runs of its own, two of which came on an RBI single from Josh Cook to tie the game.
There was never any panic for the Lakers after seeing their lead disappear. Hanska answered back with two runs in the bottom of the fourth to retake the lead, but they didn’t stop there. Thanks to one more run in the fifth, sixth, and seventh innings before ending things early with a five-run eighth inning to put the Indians away for good.
Everybody got in on the action for Hanska in the win as eight different players had at least one hit. Chris Knowles helped lead the charge with two hits, including a home run, two RBI, and two runs scored. Kevin Larson finished with three hits and two runs scored while Brady Mosenden drove in a pair of runs.
On the mound, Aaron Portner got the win for the Lakers. He went all eight innings and allowed just three runs on eight hits while striking out seven and walking two.
For Waterville, Tom Gannon had two hits to lead the way in the loss while Cook drove in two of their three runs.
With the win, Hanska will face the winner of Atwater and Nimrod in the second round Sunday, Aug. 30 in Jordan at 1:30 p.m.
Fairmont 7, Quamba 0
Great pitching and some even better defense were the keys for the Fairmont Martins in their matchup with the Quamba Cubs. Making their return to Class C after playing in Class B a year ago, a gem on the mound from Spencer Chirpich, along with his teammates making plays behind him, helped the Martins to a 7-0 win.
Fairmont came out swinging as they struck for a run in the opening inning, but Quamba turned a big double play to limit the damage to just one after facing bases loaded with nobody out.
The one run for the Martins proved to be enough as Chirpich scattered 12 hits across nine innings in his complete-game shutout. He also struck out 10 and walked none on his way to getting the win.
Chirpich’s defense played well behind him as well in the win for Fairmont. The Martins turned two double plays and had no errors as they made the big plays every time they needed to. For the game, Quamba left 11 runners on base and out-hit Fairmont 12-8.
Leading the way at the plate for Fairmont in the win was Eli Anderson, who went 3-for-5 with a home run, two RBI, and three runs scored. Joey Crissinger added a home run of his own to go along with a double and three RBI. Luke Becker added two hits and two runs scored out of the leadoff spot.
For Quamba, Carter Gmahl led the way in the loss with a four-hit day while Caden Bruley added two hits of his own.
With the win, Fairmont will take on the Cold Spring Rockies in the second round Saturday, Aug. 29 in New Prague at 4 p.m. The Rockies are coming off a 2-1 win over the Aitkin Steam in their first-round game.
Windom 3, Clearwater 2
Sometimes you just have to take a chance. That’s what the Windom Pirates did in their matchup with the Clearwater River Cats.
After leading early, Windom was unable to respond initially after the River Cats evened things up. That was until the bottom of the ninth inning when the Pirates rolled the dice on a squeeze play, and Alex Fink delivered a perfect bunt to give Windom a 3-2 walk-off win.
The Pirates were in control early on and looked well on their way to a win. After holding off Clearwater in the top of the first, Jake Tauer got Windom on the board with an RBI single, and then it was Drew Rothenberger adding one more run with an RBI double to make it 2-0.
With the hot start, Windom looked like they were in cruise control early on, but the River Cats had other plans. Held scoreless through the first four innings, Jacob Carper came through for Clearwater with a two-out RBI single to score a pair and even the game at two.
The River Cats and Pirates remained deadlocked at two into the ninth despite each having scoring chances throughout. In the end, it was Windom rolling the dice on the squeeze play to keep their season alive.
With the win, the Pirates will take on the Litchfield Blues Friday, Aug. 28 in Jordan at 7:30 p.m.
