Henry Sibley junior Malik Wilson isn’t an overpowering left-handed pitcher and the Warriors’ lineup doesn’t pack a lot of punch. But that combination is making an improbable playoff run.

The Warriors scored two runs in the top of the seventh inning, surprising second-seeded Northfield 3-1 in the Class 3A tournament quarterfinals Thursday at Siebert Field. Henry Sibley (13-15) has won nine of its last 10 games.

“We didn’t have too good of a regular season,” said Wilson, who threw a complete game three-hitter with seven strikeouts. “We started to click right before the playoffs.”

Charley Hesse broke a one-all deadlock in the seventh inning with a run-scoring double down the right-field line with two outs. The Warriors added an insurance run on a passed ball.

“We were due for something good to happen,” Hesse said. “The first few guys really battled to get on. I was sitting on a fast ball, and put a good swing on it.”

Henry Sibley scored its first run in the opening inning. Hesse reached on an error with two outs and came around to score on Sam Gantman’s triple to deep center field. The Warriors wouldn’t get another hit until the sixth, and finished with four.

“A lot people quit believing in us, except those of us in red,” Hesse said. “We went through some tough times but got hot at the right time.” 

Northfield (20-6) pulled even in the bottom of the fifth when Daniel Glampe scored on Ryan Torbenson’s squeeze bunt. Glampe walked with one out, and went to third on an infield single by Zachary Eddy.

The Raiders’ first two batters reached in the seventh before Wilson settled down to strike out the side. He walked four on the day, including one in the final frame.

“I was able to keep batters off balance with my curveball, and that really helped,” Wilson said. “I knew what I had to do, and kept believing in myself.”

Just like the entire Warriors’ squad is doing right now.

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