BURNSVILLE TOOK ON BRAINERD IN THE CLASS AAA QUARTERFINAL STATE BOYS’ BASEBALL GAME

In the second Class AAA state boys’ baseball state tournament game Burnsville took on Brainerd. The starting pitcher for Burnsville was Brandon Peterson and for Brainerd their starting pitcher was Kyle Crocker. Brainerd had a record of 20-4 and Burnsville had a record of 19-5.

Leading off the game for Brainerd was Kyle Crocker. Crocker flew out. Joel Martin bounced to the second baseman and was thrown out at first base. Tate Rusk was caught looking at the third strike.

Jacob Threkeld flew out to the first baseman in foul territory. Justin Therkeld flew out to left fielder. Brandon Peterson struck out.

In the top of the second inning Thomas Fairbanks flew out to the first baseman. Reid Mimmack struck out. Brett Jenkins struck out looking.

In the bottom of the second inning Matt Stemper lined out to the right fielder. Tom Sherman ripped a grounder to the centerfielder for a single. Tom Sherman was thrown out trying to steal second base. Derek Johnson struck out.

After two innings the score was 0-0.

In the top of the third inning Ethan Nichols hit a grounder to the shortstop and was thrown out at first base. Jack Hegarty was walked. Alex Rohde walked. Kyle Crocker hit a grounder to the centerfielder. Jack Hegarty scored on the play. Joel Martin struck out swinging. Tate Rusk bounced out to the shortstop.

In the bottom of the third inning Billy Vermeer led off the inning with a hit and a double down the left field line. Brian Vanderwoude hit a bouncer to the third baseman who threw him out at first base. But Billy Vanderwoude advanced. Dan Motl popped out. Jacob Threkeld was thrown out at first base.

After three innings of play the score was Brainerd 1 and Burnsville 0.

Thomas Fairbanks hit a single to left field. Reid Mimmack laid down a bunt but was thrown out at first base. Reid Mimmack got a double. Brett Jenkins was thrown out at first base. Ethan Nichols hit a grounder to the shortstop and was thrown out at first base.

In the bottom of the fourth inning Justin Threkeld popped out to the leftfielder. Brandon Peterson hit a liner up the middle of the field for a single. Matt Stemper hit a single that dropped into short centerfield. Tom Sherman grounded into a double play to end the inning.

After four innings the score was Brainerd 1 and Burnsville 0.

Jack Hegarty walked. Alex Rohde laid down a bunt and the pitcher threw him out at first base. Kyle Crocker hit a liner to right field scoring Jack Hegarty. Joel Martin struck out swinging. Tate Rusk popped out to the first baseman for the final out of the inning.

In the bottom of the fifth inning Derek Johnson lead off and he reached second base on an error. Billy Vermeer flew out to the centerfielder. Brian Vanderwoude hit a single and scored Derek Johnson on the play. Dan Motl flew out to left field. Jacob Threkeld bounced out to the first baseman.

After the fifth inning the score was Brainerd 2 and Burnsville 1.

Thomas Fairbanks bounced out to first base. Reid Mimmack flew out to the centerfielder. Brett Jennins was thrown out at first base.

In the bottom of the sixth inning Justin Threkeld was called out on strikes. Brandon Peterson hit a fly ball to center and he ended up with a triple. Matt Stemper hit a bouncer to center field and Brandon Peterson scored. Tom Sherman hit a liner down the right field line for a double, Matt Stemper scored. Derek Johnson flew out to the shortstop. Billey Vermeer hit a double and scored Tom Sherman. Brian Vanderwoude was thrown out at first base.

With six innings complete the score was Burnsville 4 and Brainerd 2.

In the top of the seventh inning Ethan Nichols led off the inning for Brainerd and he hit a double. Jack Hegarty hit a bouncer to right center field. Alex Rohde hit a three run home run over the left field fence. The ball went 353 total feet. Kyle Crocker flew out to the centerfielder. Kevin Peterson was thrown out at first base. Tate Rusk flew out to left field.

In the bottom of the seventh inning Dan Motl was hit and advanced to first base. Jacob Threkeld flew out to the pitcher. Justin Threkeld hit a bouncer to left field. The runners advanced on a pass ball. Brandon Peterson was walked to load the bases. Matt Stemper flew out to right field Dan Motl scored Tom Sherman was walked Derek Johnson got a single and scored the winning run.

Burnsville came away with the 6-5 victory over Brainerd.