Robbinsdale Armstrong third baseman Matthew Bachmeier‘s seventh-inning hit that went through Wayzata shortstop Mickey Leius’ legs had a Bill Bucker feeling to it, as it gave the Falcons a 5-4 win over the Trojans on Tuesday night at Parade Stadium in Minneapolis. 

Bachmeier not only gave the Robbinsdale Armstrong the victory on his seventh inning dribbler, but he drove in the first two runs for the Falcons in the first and third innings.

As for his winning hit, Bachmeier didn’t actually see the ball make its way past Leius. 

“I didn’t even see it go through his legs, I just knew I had to beat it out no matter what,” Bachmeier said.

Robbinsdale Armstrong fans erupted after Bachmeier gave his team the first lead since the first inning, when the Falcons had a 1-0 advantage from a Bachmeier double. He said he was ecstatic to help the Falcons take the lead in the seventh inning. 

“I was pumped up, just so pumped up, so intense, so excited that we got the run to take the lead,” Bachmeier said. 

Although Bachmeier showcased his skills to drive in runs, Robbinsdale Armstrong coach Brian Sobiech said the team connected as a whole. 

“We executed when we needed to,” Sobiech said. “There were times when we made a mistake or two in the field, but our pitchers got ground balls and kept getting ground balls and just kept executing.”

Besides executing on the mound, the Falcons displayed their small ball skills. Robbinsdale Armstrong brought in numerous pinch runners and laid down multiple sacrifice bunts and hits to advance those pinch runners and score runs. A sacrifice bunt scored the Falcons' third run in the fourth inning, and a sacrifice fly in the sixth moved Jordan Kuznia from second to third. He would later score on a single. 

Sobiech said if the situation calls for it, his team can succeed playing that style.

“We like to play small ball if we need to,” Sobiech said. “If we need to open up and hit we can, but we will play a lot of small ball. We love putting pressure on teams.” 

Robbinsdale Armstrong has made the state tournament three times, with the most recent appearance coming in 2010. The Falcons will square off against Benilde-St. Maragaret’s on Wednesday night at Parade field. The Red Knights have appeared in the state tournament only once as part of the MSHSL, which was in 2005. 

“Benilde’s got a good team, it’ll be fun to play them tomorrow,” Sobiech said. “We have a couple pitchers left in our pocket we can use, and we’re just hoping we can put the ball in play and keep competing.”

Bachmeier said the Falcons possess the attributes to beat the Red Knights.

“We have a good shot,” Bachmeier said. “We got the pitching for it. We got everything we need, we just need to come and hit.”         

Robbinsdale Armstrong third baseman Matthew Bachmeier hit a dribbler in the seventh inning that found its way through Wayzata shortstop Michey Leuis' legs, giving the No. 3-seeded Falcons a 5-4 victory over the No. 2-seeded Trojans on Tuesday night in a winner's bracket game in the Class 3A, Section 6 playoffs at Parade Stadium in Minneapolis.      

Bachmeier also drove in the first and second runs for the Falcons (11-9) in a game that had four lead changes. Junior outfielder Jack McDonough and first baseman Jacob Woessner also drove in runs.

Robbinsdale Armstrong junior starting pitcher Jack Wibben went five innings, giving up four runs, walking three and striking out one. Junior Lance Kilde earned the win, pitching the final two innings. He gave up a hit, hit a batter and struck out one. 

Wayzata sophomore pitcher Thomas Skoro pitched a complete game, surrendering five runs, walking two batters and striking out three. 

Senior designated hitter Connor Trygstad drove in two runs for the Trojans (10-9), with senior second baseman Christian Linhardt and left fielder Jack Sorensen also driving in runs.

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