Southwest Minnesota State commit Derek Smith straps on his catcher’s equipment every inning and bursts into a full sprint from the dugout to home plate, often chopping his feet several times behind the plate before coming to a complete stop.
 
This act may garner a few chuckles from the opposing team’s fan section, but it’s a ritual Champlin Park has been accustomed to for the past six years. The routine comes from his older brother, Matt, who played three years as varsity catcher before him.
 
“That’s what (Matt) did every single time,” Smith said. “I just believe in great hustle. The only thing you can control is how hard you work.”
 
Smith’s tenacity put him in scoring position in the bottom of the ninth inning against Hopkins on Tuesday, as his aggressive base running allowed him to score the game-winning run in a 5-1 victory over the Royals in the regular-season finale.
 
Ranked second in Class 4A by Let’s Play Baseball, Champlin Park didn't record a hit until the fifth inning, when the Rebels tied the game 1-1.
 
With two outs in the top of the ninth, Smith laid down a bunt and left a cloud of dirt behind him as he charged down the first-base line.
 
Smith collided with Hopkins’ first baseman Tommy Auth, which resulted in a passed ball that allowed him to advance to second base.
 
“Right at the last second I saw (Auth) step into me, but I had to make sure to get on base,” Smith said. “It just happened to work out that way, that I got destroyed in the process.”
 
After a brief rest at second base, Smith then daringly challenged Royals catcher Alex Schwartz on a wild pitch that fell in close reach near the third-base line.
 
Smith beat the throw at third, putting himself 60 feet from home. Junior Cole Albers then drilled a two-run double to left-center field to spark the Rebels’ four-run rally.
 
“Seeing Derek (in scoring position), you gotta give it everything you have. It helps you step into that next role of making a play knowing you have his back and he has yours,” Albers said.
 
If Smith sparked Champlin Park’s rally, then pitcher and Grand View (Iowa) commit Drew Nelson was the kindling, as he struck out all three batters he faced in the bottom of the eighth and helping buy the Rebels (17-2) another opportunity to put the game away in the top of the next inning.
 
“(Nelson) came in and chucked,” Albers said after a five-strikeout, one-hit performance by Nelson. “I’ve never seen him throw like that before, and he’s been waiting for that opportunity.”
 
Nelson struck out two more batters in the bottom of the ninth to finally seal the win for Champlin Park, locking up a school record 17th regular-season victory for the Rebels.
 
Boasting a roster with 14 seniors, including seven who are starters, Champlin Park clinched the Northwest Suburban Conference title this year, its first since 2003 - which also is the last time the Rebels reached the state tournament.
 
In the nonconference matchup with Hopkins (7-12), which plays in the ultra-competitive Lake Conference, the Rebels found themselves a prime tuneup for the Class 4A, Section 5 playoffs.
 
“We were a little distracted at the start, but as the game progressed, we got a little more focused and from there on, it heated up," Smith said. "You can see in the last inning what we were able to do."
 
Smith was never fazed in the game, including early on as he threw out two baserunners to help keep Hopkins from scoring while Albers was on the mound.
 
“(Smith’s) a great catcher, blocks everything and helped me out tonight with a few throwouts. There’s nothing else I can ask for,” Albers said.
 
Albers is one of two juniors who start in a lineup riddled with playmakers and veteran experience, and one who is looking to take the Rebels back to the state tournament.
 
“The only team that can beat us is ourselves,” Albers said. “We have to stick with each other like we did tonight. Keep fighting and keep trusting each other, and it’ll take us where we want to be.”

First Report

Cole Albers’ two-RBI double sparked a four-run ninth inning as Champlin Park clinched a 5-1 road victory over Hopkins in extra innings on Tuesday night.
 
Ranked second in Class 4A by Let’s Play Baseball, the Rebels (17-2) were held without a hit through the first five innings.
 
Albers set up the tying run with a bunt that advanced Zach Loven to third base, leading to an RBI from Alex Bakritges in the top of the fifth.
 
Drew Nelson struck out five batters and allowed only one hit in the final two innings, earning the win for Champlin Park.
 
Royals (7-12) sophomore Tommy Auth drove in Aaron Jensen in the bottom of fourth for Hopkins’ only run of the game.

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