Minneota ousted from Sub-State playoffs

The Minneota Senior Legion team capped off the season, losing two of three games in the Sub-State Tournament playoffs.
Minneota lost to Springfield in its playoff opener, 13-2, on July 15, then came back the next day to beat Wabasso 6-5 to stay alive in the double-elimination tournament. But a 6-5 heartbreaking loss to Wells on July 17 ended their season.
"It was a very good run the last couple of weeks of the summer," said Minneota coach Keven Larson. "We came together and played really well against some great teams. I am extremely proud of them."

SUB-STATE RESULTS
Thursday, July 15
Springfield 13, Minneota 2
Springfield's high school team placed third in the Class A State Tournament and the majority of that team plays on the American Legion team.
Minneota stayed close for the first four innings before Springfield's bats started erupting. Thor Fischer started on the mound and held Springfied at bay with the help of some stellar defense.
"We played this team really tough until the fifth inning," said Larson. "We ran out of gas a bit and just couldn't get them out in the sixth."
Springfield invoked the 10-run rule after six innings.

Friday, July 16
Minneota 6, Wabasso 5
Minneota met Wabasso during the high school season and were soundly beaten. With both teams having nearly identical Legion teams, Minneota avenged the loss in the elimination bracket.
"This was one of our most complete games of the season," Larson noted. "We were able to compete the whole game and come away with a great win."
Braeden Panka started on the hill for Minneota and was relieved by AJ Myhre in the third inning.
"(AJ) pitched very well the rest of the game," Larson said. "Once again, our defense and timely hitting helped secure the win."

Saturday, July 17
Wells 6, Minneota 5
Minneota was eliminated from the tournament by Wells, which hit a three-run homer with two outs in the top of the seventh inning to rally for the win.
"This was a tough game for us," said Larson. "Playing three games in three days was difficult because of the pitch count rule, but unlike last weekend when we did the same thing, we were on the road three days in a row."
Josh Schuelke started this game for Minneota and tossed the first four frames, keeping Minneota in the game.
Jacob Hennen came in and pitched the final three innings of relief.
"It was a heartbreaker because we were up by one run with two outs in the top of the seventh inning," Larson said. The home run put them ahead by two."
Minneota scored once in the last of the seventh to cut the deficit to 6-5 and had the tying run on base, but Wells escaped the threat.