CLASS 3A

• SECTION 5: Coon Rapids baseball coach Jerry Coe felt nervous coming into championship game, citing a spotty track record against opponent Maple Grove.

But ace pitcher Logan Shore and early runs gave second-ranked Coon Rapids the result it craved. A 8-1 victory on Wednesday night at Midway Stadium sent Coon Rapids (17-3) to its third state tournament since 2008.

Shore, who has committed to the University of Florida, pitched seven innings, allowing two hits, no earned runs or walks and struck out nine Crimson batters. He threw 78 pitches, making his performance as efficient as it was dominant.

Shore drove in a first-inning run as Coon Rapids jumped ahead 2-0. The Cardinals added two runs in the third and put the game out of reach with four runs in the fourth. Leadoff hitter Tyler Klem scored three runs in the game.

“I knew Logan would pitch well, and that gives our kids confidence knowing he’s not going to give up a lot of runs,” Coe said. “And when we put two runs on the board right away, that took away Maple Grove’s game. If they get ahead, they can bunt, do those delayed steals and everything else and they are hard to beat.”

DAVID LA VAQUE

• SECTION 2: Seniors Maxwell Fahlsing and Maxwell Langheinrich combined on a three-hit shutout, leading Minnetonka to a 2-0 victory over Shakopee in the championship. Fahlsing, the winning pitcher, allowed three hits while striking out five and walking three in five innings of work. Langheinrich, who earned a save, didn’t allow a baserunner over the final two innings while striking out four. Minnetonka scored both of its runs in the first inning. Shakopee losing pitcher junior Sheldon Miks went the distance, allowing five hits while striking out six and walking none. The Skippers will be making their first state tournament appearance since 2003.

• SECTION 4: Senior Mitch Fredrickson laid down a perfect suicide squeeze bunt with one out in the bottom of the ninth inning, giving Mounds View a 3-2 victory over Cretin-Derham Hall for the championship. Fredrickson, who went 4-for-5, tied the score at 2-2 with a run-scoring single with two outs in the fifth. Mounds View ace Max Knutson and winning pitcher Sam Hentges combined to throw a three-hitter. The Mustangs will be making their first state tournament appearance since 2000.

STAFF REPORTS