It took extra-innings, but Minnehaha Academy’s “curse” of playing at Dick Putz Field was put to rest for at least one night.

At the 2013 state tournament at Dick Putz Field, with ace John Pryor on the mound, the Redhawks lost to Watertown-Mayer 1-0 on a catcher’s interference call. Earlier this season at Dick Putz Field, the Redhawks (25-1) picked up their only loss of the season, to undefeated St. Cloud Cathedral.

But on Thursday night, misfortune turned.

Third baseman Alex Fedje-Johnson crossed home plate in the bottom of the eighth inning on a ground ball from Thomas Shogren, and third-seed Minnehaha Academy escaped with a 2-1 victory over Providence Academy (17-6) in the quarterfinals of the Class 2A state tournament.

“We love this field, it’s a beautiful field, and it turned out to be a beautiful night,” Minnehaha coach Scott Glenn said. “We had chances, they had chances, (but) we found a way.”

Minnehaha starting pitcher Jesse Retzlaff pitched eight innings and allowed just two hits and two walks. 

“We really came together as a team and had a really good team win,” Retzlaff said. “It’s pretty exciting. A lot of hard work went into this from everyone.”

With two outs and the score tied in the bottom of the seventh, Minnehaha pinch-runner Simon Huyck tagged up from third base on a fly ball and dashed toward home plate. Providence right fielder Michael Burns caught the ball in foul territory, and threw it on a line to catcher Michael Villafana.

Huyck over slid the plate, and Villafana tagged him on his second attempt.

“The umpire said he missed it by one inch,” Glenn said.

Minnehaha advances to play Rochester Lourdes in the semifinals at 2 p.m on Friday, back at Dick Putz Field.

With two outs and the score tied in the bottom of the seventh inning, Minnehaha Academy pinch-runner Simon Huyck tagged up from third base on a fly ball to the outfield and dashed toward home plate.

Providence Academy right fielder Michael Burns caught the ball in foul territory, and threw it on a line to catcher Michael Villafana. Huyck over slid the plate, and Villafana tagged him on his second attempt.

Huyck argued with the umpire, as did Redhawks coach Scott Glenn – to no avail. The game went to extra-innings.

Third-seed Minnehaha Academy (25-1) held on, beating Providence Academy (17-6) 2-1 on Thursday at Dick Putz Field.

A groundball from Thomas Shogren and a close call at second base ended it when Alex Fedje-Johnson crossed the plate for the winning run.

Minnehaha left fielder Nick Terlizzi walked to lead off the bottom of the eighth inning. Third baseman Alex Fedje-Johnson then followed with a single of his own, and Terlizzi advanced to second. Ford Schroeder then hit a popup out, and no one advanced. Balked and an intential walk loaded the bases, but a comebacker to the pitcher and a throw home made for the second out.

With one out in the top of the sixth inning, Providence third baseman Daniel Fafinski reached second on a single and a wild throw. The next batter, centerfielder William Wade, singled to score Fafinski.

But the Redhawks answered right back.

Left fielder Nick Terlizzi led off the bottom of the sixth with a single. The next batter, third baseman Alex Fedje-Johnson, reached on a fielder’s choice and then stole second.  Two batters later, Matt Ganter doubled him in. Pinch runner Gunnar Nelson made it to third on a wild pitch, but a ground out to the pitcher ended the inning.

With one out in the bottom of the seventh inning, Jesse Retzlaff hit a double over the left fielder’s head. Centerfielder Andrew Wolpert then singled, and Retzlaff advanced to third. Simon Huyck came in as a courtesy runner. Peter Webster hit a fly ball to right field, and Huyck was called out on a controversial call at the plate.

But it was a battle of the Jesses on the mound. Minnehaha’s Jesse Retzlaff threw two strikeouts in the bottom of the first inning and one in the second.

Advances to play Rochester Lourdes in the semifinals back at Dick Putz Field on Friday at 2 p.m.