State tournament newcomer Heritage Christian Academy and defending Class 1A champion Parkers Prairie swapped identities during their state tournament semifinal game Friday.
Two innings of defensive miscues doomed Parkers Prairie in a 7-4 loss at Chaska Athletic Park. No. 1 seed Heritage Christian Academy (22-3) made good use of the extra outs, scoring four times in the second inning and adding three runs in the fifth.
"It's a great thing as a pitcher because it gives you more confidence," said Eagles starter Jonny Flynn, a sophomore at the Maple Grove-based school.
Flynn held the No. 5 seed Panthers (19-10) without a run until their rally in the top of the seventh inning. Parkers Prairie senior catcher Brady Hoppe, who suffered a broken jaw in the section final, entered Friday's game in right field and supplied a key hit in his lone at-bat to prolong the rally.
"We played one good inning," Panthers coach Derek Denny said. "You can't do that against good teams."
Flynn finished 2-for-3 and batted in two runs during the second inning. In the sixth, teammate Seth Halvorsen, a Twins draft pick, collected his 18th career triple.
Sleepy Eye 4, South Ridge 1: Junior Jacob Berg stood near first base, wanting water, air conditioning and teammate Zach Haala to finish what Berg started on the pitching mound — maybe even in that order.
Berg, the Indians' starter, struck out 13 batters in the victory over South Ridge. Pitch count limits prevented Berg from getting the final out on a steamy afternoon at Chaska Athletic Park.
