Eden Prairie never gave Lakeville South a chance to build on its unexpected playoff run.

The Eagles scored four runs in the second inning and continued to add on its lead for a 13-3 victory in six innings in Friday afternoon’s Class 3A state baseball semifinals at Midway Stadium.

The Cougars turnaround season ends with a 6-2 postseason after their 2-17 regular season.

“Our coach told us [Friday] morning we had to get on them or they’ll stick around. Most teams crumble under pressure.” Eden Prairie right fielder Matthew Cheesman said. “We haven’t let up all year and it showed.”

Eden Prairie pounded out 15 hits and capitalized on six walks. The Eagles scored runs in four of the six innings, highlighted by a five-run sixth to complete the 10-run rule. Cheesman led the offensive outburst going 3-for-3, with three runs scored and four RBI. Ryan Zimmerman, Jack Sullivan, and Michael Parrish each had two RBI. Jeff Athey contributed three hits and scored two runs.

Eagles’ starting pitcher Dan Loats pitched comfortably with a lead. He scattered nine hits, allowed two earned runs, struck out seven and walked one.

Cory Reiter and Luke Peiper each had two hits for Lakeville South.

“[The quarterfinals] showed us that Lakeville South wasn’t a joke to be messed with. They might not have had that great of regular season, but we had to take them seriously.”

The Eagles will attempt to dethrone defending state champion Mounds View on Monday night. The two programs boast team ERAs below 2.00 and have Division 1-caliber aces that should be well-rested for the reschedule championship. Eden Prairie last won state in 2010.

FIRST REPORT

Eden Prairie never gave Lakeville South a chance to build on its unexpected playoff run.

The Eagles scored four runs in the second inning and continued to add to its lead for a 13-3 victory in six innings in Friday afternoon’s Class 3A state baseball semifinals at Midway Stadium.

The Cougars turnaround season ends with a 6-2 postseason after their 2-17 season.

Eden Prairie pounded out 15 hits and scored five runs in the bottom of the sixth innings to end the semifinal early. Matthew Cheesman led the offensive outburst with four RBI, and Ryan Zimmerman, Jack Sullivan, and Michael Parrish each had two RBI.

Eagles’ starting pitcher Dan Loats scattered nine hits, allowed two earned runs, struck out seven and walked one.

JASON GONZALEZ