(KNFL/KFGO) – The Perham Yellowjackets took on the Pine Island Panthers this morning at Dick Putz Field in the Minnesota Class AA Semi-Finals. Perham earned their way here with a 2-0 win over Maple River in the Quarterfinals, while Pine Island got a Quarterfinal win over Pierz 1-0.
Pine Island struck first in the top of the 4th, thanks to a Ben Grabau sacrifice fly to make it 1-0 Panthers. Perham would score on a sacrifice fly from Bradyn Anderson, tying the game at 1 a piece in the bottom of the 7th. The game would then go into extra innings. Pine Island would immediately take the lead back, on an RBI single by Landon Lowrie. Pine Island would have a 2-1 lead in the top of the 8th. Gavin Griffin ripped an RBI single, tying the game for Perham in the bottom of the 8th inning. Pine Island would then erupt for 4 runs in the top of the 9th. They would get an RBI double by Nick Thein, a Brandon Week RBI double, a passed ball that brought a run home, and a Ben Grabau sacrifice fly that scored a run. Perham would load the bases in the bottom of the 9th. But they could not cash in, as Pine Island would end up winning the game 6-2 in 9 innings.
Pine Island would score 6 runs, including 4 in the 9th. They would also collect 7 hits, and they committed no errors. Perham scored 2 runs on 9 hits, while committing 2 errors. The winning pitcher was Lucas Sems of Pine Island. He would go 8 and 2/3 innings, giving up 9 hits, 2 runs that were all earned, no walks, while striking out 7. The losing pitcher was Alex Blume of Perham. He ended up being put in for relief duties in the 8th for starting pitcher, Drew Ellingson, who went 7 strong innings. Alex Blume surrendered 5 hits, 5 runs, 4 that were earned, while walking 3, and striking out 1 batter.
Pine Island would advance to the Class AA Championship on Saturday at Target Field and play Glencoe-Silver Lake. Meanwhile, for Perham, it gets tricky. A handful of 3rd place, and Consolation Championships in the Minnesota High School baseball state tournaments have been canceled due to rain. The official decision, is that Perham will share the 3rd place title with Marshall School, Duluth, who lost to Glencoe-Silver Lake.
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