Defending state champion New Life Academy wins

New Life Academy didn't look as polished Friday as its state championship group of a year ago.

But it didn't have to be.

Junior Thomas Gunderson bailed the Eagles out of a possible disastrous fifth inning, delivering a run-scoring, two-out double to give the private Woodbury school a 4-3 victory over Red Lake County in the Class 1A quarterfinals at the Mini Met in Jordan.

"We're a better team than last year, but didn't show it," New Life Academy coach Dave Darr said. "We didn't have the mental edge we usually have today."

The Eagles (20-2) had a chance to break the game open in the fifth after the first two batters singled. However, the next hitter popped up a bunt to the pitcher. After a double steal, the lead runner was picked off third base with Gunderson at bat.

"The message we sent the players was to survive and advance," Darr said. "That's what we did."

Thanks to Gunderson. He drove in the go-ahead run with his double after striking out twice.

"I was a little nervous after my first two at-bats," Gunderson said. "I was pretty mad. I knew I had to get a hit."

Junior Simon Killeen drove in the Eagles' first three runs. He had a run-scoring double in the first and a two-run single the following inning.

"I was in a little slump with my bat in the section," Killeen said. "It was nice to see it come back."

Rebels losing pitcher Tristan Knott crushed a two-run home run in the top of the first, and scored on a squeeze bunt by Taylor Kenfield in the fourth to tie it at 3-all.

Springfield 7, Kimball Area 6 (12 inn.): Somebody eventually had to get a clutch hit. And it was Sam Baier.

The junior infielder hit a homer leading off the bottom of 12th inning, moving the Tigers (22-3) into the semifinals. "I was looking for a pitch up in the zone that I could drive," Baier said. "I was just trying to get a base hit, and get on."

The problem wasn't getting on base for either team. It was driving in runners in scoring position. One team or the other or both left a base­runner on third in eight of the innings.

"That was nerve racking," Baier said. "Quite a few runners were left in scoring position."

Both teams appeared to finally get that key hit in the 11th. The only problem, both center fielders — Jacob Vanderwerf of Springfield and Ty Morrison of Kimball — threw a runner out at home plate. Vanderwerf's two-out, run-scoring single in the sixth tied it at 6-6.

"It was an unforgettable game," Baier said. "It was crazy."

Springfield starting pitcher Carter Erickson had four hits and scored three runs. Winning pitcher Jevan Richert, who threw 6⅔ innings of scoreless relief, and Vanderwerf each had three hits.

Brandon-Evansville 5, Lewiston-Altura 0: Kevin Campbell is small in stature. That doesn't prevent him from swinging a big bat.

The sophomore hit his first high school home run, a three-run shot, for the Chargers (20-6) in the win.

"I thought it was just going far," Campbell said. "I didn't know it was going out. It was exhilarating."

The blast was more than enough support for winning pitcher Thomas Bosek. He threw a two-hit shutout, striking out six and walking one.

"I just wanted to throw strikes because I knew our defense would play great," Bosek said.

New Ulm Cathedral 6, Deer River 1: Collin Helget wasn't overpowering, but he was nearly unhittable. Helget threw a four-hitter with four strikeouts in the Greyhounds' victory.

Brandon Beranek hit a solo home run for Cathedral in the second inning. He went 2-for-2 with three RBI.

The Greyhounds (18-7) scored in every inning but the first and sixth.