Pinch-hitter Jared Roiland smashed a liner to left field to score John Weeding in the bottom of the seventh inning as Lac qui Parle Valley edged Ely 2-1 in the quarterfinals of the state Class 1A baseball tournament on Thursday, June 14 at Athletic Park in Chaska.
Lac qui Parle Valley (17-9) advances to play Browerville in the semifinals on Saturday in a scheduled 12 p.m. start at Athletic Park. Ely (20-4) plays Kenyon-Wanamingo in the consolation semifinals at 10 a.m. at the Mini Met in Jordan.
Weeding walked on four pitches to lead off the bottom of the seventh inning and reached second on a sacrifice bunt by Jalen Baldwin. Weeding and Baldwin also were pinch hitters as the Eagles showcased the strength of their bench.
The heroics of Lac qui Parle Valley’s reserves – Roiland’s hit was just his seventh of the season -- ruined a 13-strikeout performance by Ely lefthander Wes Snyder, a lefthander who allowed just three hits and walked three.
Snyder had two hits and scored Ely’s lone run in the second inning.
Lac qui Parle Valley pitcher Brandon Bomhorst allowed four hits in seven innings, walking one and striking out four.
-- Loren Nelson, MN Baseball Hub staff