Prep Blog: State Champs Crowned At Target Field
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – Six teams got the thrill of a lifetime on Monday, not only playing for a state championship, but doing it at one of the finest baseball stadiums in America.
The State Baseball Tournament wrapped up Monday with championship games at Target Field. Regardless of how your team fared, it was one of the few times to take in a baseball game at the gem of a stadium for $10 or less. It also was a chance for many high school kids to realize a dream that started on the first day of the season.
I'll give an educated guess that the three shut-outs that took place on Monday has never happened on a state championship day in baseball in the history of the Minnesota State High School League. At best, it's an educated guess.
In the Class A championship, St. Agnes walked away with the title after beating Lac qui Parle Valley 6-0. Jack Fossand tossed a complete game shut-out for the Aggies. In three tournament games, St. Agnes outscored its opponents 14-0. That's right, the Aggies didn't give up a single run in the entire state tournament. Now that is impressive. Charlie Turch also had three hits and scored three times.
In the Class AA championship, Holy Family Catholic continued the string of rarities with three shut-out wins of their own to complete a state championship. The Fire beat perennial state power St. Cloud Cathedral 5-0 in Monday afternoon's title game. Holy Family had seven hits in the contest, and five of them were doubles. Connor Riddle led the Fire with two doubles and three RBI. Kasey Rolston tossed a two-hit shut-out and finished his season 9-0 as a starting pitcher. Not a bad story for your kids some day. Oh yeah, and Holy Family Catholic outscored its opponents 16-0 in the title run.
In the Class AAA title game, Bemidji faced Eastview in a battle of greater Minnesota versus the metro. Evan DeCovich tossed a two-hit shut-out for the Lightning and scored the only run of the game on A.J. Stockwell's ground out in the second inning. The Lightning beat Red Wing 3-1 and Grand Rapids 5-3 to get to the title game. Not a bad year for the Lumberjacks either as they reached the state championship in baseball and got to the Class AAAA Prep Bowl in football.
The state baseball tournament wraps up an exciting spring state tournament season. A sophomore won the state girls golf title with an under par score, while a senior in boys tennis graduated with four straight state championships.
It also wraps up a fun and exciting first year of the Prep Blog at WCCO. We'll be back for football season, which starts with two-a-day practices in about eight weeks. In other words, by the time I'll be ready to kick my feet up and take a break, it'll be time to get back to work. See you in August.
