ST. CLOUD – In the bottom of fourth inning, Minnehaha Academy pitcher Alex Fedje-Johnson slapped his hands together emphatically after hitting a lead-extending RBI triple.
The jubilation was back about an hour later, when Fedje-Johnson chest bumped catcher Alan Ho after the game's final out.
It was an emotional day for the third-seed Redhawks as they upset previously undefeated Rochester Lourdes 6-2 in the Class 2A baseball state semifinals at Dick Putz Field.
The Redhawks earned a rematch against St. Cloud Cathedral, the only team they lost to this season, in Monday's championship game at Target Field.
"We've dreamt about this for a couple of years," Minnehaha coach Scott Glenn said. "… We really fought hard and went out and earned it. We played good defense, and Fedje was strong on the mound."
Minnehaha Academy played without senior captain and shortstop Peter Webster, who was ill. But others stepped up in his absence. Ford Schroeder filled in at shortstop and went 3-for-4 with an RBI. Center fielder Andrew Wolpert went 2-for-3, including an RBI double in the fifth inning. Left fielder Nick Terlizzi went 2-for-4 with a run scored.
Second-seeded Rochester Lourdes (25-1) took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning on a sacrifice fly from shortstop Daniel Burriss.
Minnehaha (26-1) took a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the second, taking advantage of three walks and a hit batter.