Vikings rally TWICE to win in extra innings

It was almost a "meaningless" game, as assistant Coach J.D. Pesch called it.

But when he come back from a 3-1 deficit and are behind 5-3 in the sixth; then rally one more time to tie it in the seventh and win it in the eighth, it's anything but meaningless.

Freshman Jacob Hennen, who relieved Teddy Pesch in the fifth, went the rest of the way with four strikeouts — then scored the winning run in the eighth when his brother Tom's ground ball drove Jacob across the plate.

Tracy-Milroy-Balaton had taken a 5-4 lead with a two-run rally in the sixth on a two-out, two -run double down the left field line by Jake Byrne. It was his third hit of the day.

But Minneota staged a rally with only one hits, taking advantage of a walk and error. Cole Sanow slammed the ball to deep left field and two runs scored to tie it.

An error in the eighth in left field put Jacob Hennen on base and he'd eventually score the winning run.

"What I like is the way these kids are working the pitch count. They're not over anxious or swinging at pitches way outside the strike zone," said Pesch.

Landon Abraham, who is on a hot streak lately, went 2-4, scored twice and knocked in a run. Brant Buysse was 2-5 and scored a run and Teddy Pesch added a double.

Brant Buysse started on the mound, gave way to Pesch and he gave the game to Jacob Hennen, who got the win.

Byrne was 3-4 for Tracy and Caleb Nordsidon added a pair of hits. Moses Dolan scored two runs for the Panthers.

This was Minneota's final game of the regular season. They finished at 9-4 and will play in Section 3A on Saturday. Playing at home, they play Red Rock Central/Westbrook/WG at home. If theywin, they play a second game later that day. A victory puts them in the double elimination tournament.

Minneota          100 200 21 — 6 7  0

TMB                210 002 00 — 5 10 3

WP-Jacob Hennen. (Brant Buysse, Teddy Pesch in the third, Hennen in the fifth). Catcher Alex Pohlen.

LP-Griff Radke. (Jake Byrne, Radke in the third).

HITTING: Minneota: Brant Buysse 2-5, run; Teddy Pesch double; Landon Abraham 2-4, 2 runs, RBI); Cole Sanow 1-3, double, 2 RBI; Sam Buysse 1-4, double; RBI).

TMB: Jake Byrne 3-4, 3 RBI; Caleb Norsidon 2-4, 2 RBI; Anthony Axford 2-4, 2 runs).