Mahtomedi players knew the deciding game in the Metro East Conference race would be nothing short of a battle on the road at South St. Paul.

Emotions were buzzing before the Zephyrs (15-5, 12-4) and the Packers (15-5, 11-5) met for the second time this season. South St. Paul took the first game on April 29, winning 4-3.

But Mahtomedi coach John Hardgrove already knew his players' mindsets going into the final regular season contest of 2016.

“We like to take it one game at a time, talk about playing ‘a game’ 20 times, instead of a whole season. The team tried to keep the energy under control a little bit tonight so we could focus on the game," Hardgrove said.

The Zephyrs heeded their coach’s words, taking control of the game against the Packers in the fourth inning, when senior Adam Stone and junior Graham Devore drove in Mahtomedi's only runs of the game. Then in the bottom of the fourth, a beautiful double play at third base kept a run from scoring and the Zephyrs in the lead.

Charlie Bartholomew, Mahtomedi's third baseman, had a great catch and tag to secure the double play.

“When it was all happening, I just tried to read and react. Our shortstop had a great throw, he had to throw it fast to get (the baserunner) out, and I just tried to put the tag on him.”

Adam Stone had revenge in his sights ever since the Zephyrs' loss to South St. Paul in late April.

“Winning after they beat us last time means everything to me," Stone said. "I’ve been planning this since the last time they beat us.” 

But Packers junior pitcher Ryan Duffy didn't make things easy on the Zephyrs. Duffy recorded 12 strikeouts on Friday, bringing his total on the year to 67.

Hardgrove said the defense would have to be fantastic with Duffy on the mound in order for Mahtomedi to come away with a conference championship. Baserunning was also a key, as the Zephyrs constantly moved deeper into scoring position, stealing both second and third base.

“It’s not easy to (hit) against a great lefty pitcher like Ryan Duffy, so we tried to have him focus on the runner, to take his attention off the batter, but that didn’t work out great either, Hardgrove said. "Playing against him changes the course of your offense, you can’t practice against it.”

Jack Schwietz pitched a complete game on the road Friday to give Mahtomedi a 2-1 victory over South St. Paul and clinch a Metro East Conference title.

The Zephyrs (15-5, 12-4), ranked No. 1 in Class 3A by Let's Play Baseball, scored two runs in the top of the fourth inning with RBI from Charlie Bartholomew and Adam Stone.

Ryan Duffy had 12 strikeouts in six innings for the No. 8-3A Packers (15-5, 11-5), bringing his total on the year to 67.

Mahtomedi held off a late rally in the bottom of the seventh to avenged a 4-3 loss to South St. Paul on April 29. 

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