In Coon Rapids' final regular season game, the Cardinals led undefetaed Maple Grove 3-0 before falling to the Crimson 4-3.

A loss, sure — but to Alex Wojciechowski, it was also a confidence builder.

“It helped us know that we could stay with them and beat them if we got the chance,” he said.

Last Friday, Wojciechowski gave them that chance. The junior right-hander was in control on the mound from the outset, holding Maple Grove to just one run and five hits over seven innings as Coon Rapids became the first team to beat the Crimson, winning 4-1 in the winners’ bracket final of the Section 5, Class 3A tournament.

“I felt really good going in,” Wojciechowski said. “I was a little bit nervous, but then when I got them to go out 1-2-3 in the first inning, I just settled down and everything flowed.”

Wojciechowski was quick to credit his teammates for his success.

“We got an early run on them and then the guys just played great defense behind me,” he said. “It’s nice to know you can just go out and pitch and if they make contact, your defense will  make the plays behind you.”

Coon Rapids still needs to win one more game Wednesday to advance to the state tournament, but Wojciechowski admitted that the victory over Maple Grove was the highlight of his pitching career so far.

“That’s got to rank right at the top as the funnest, most intense game I’ve ever pitched,” he said. "It was a confidence builder."