Mahtomedi coach John Hardgrove likes veteran leadership in pressure situations. It was a no-brainer who he was trotting out to the mound on Friday: senior Mitch Nordin.
The right-hander responded with a workmanlike four-hitter, leading Mahtomedi to a 4-1 victory over Little Falls in the Class 3A semifinals at Siebert Field.
The Zephyrs, who have reached the state tournament for three consecutive years, will play in their first baseball championship game Monday at Target Field.
“He hasn’t been on a regular schedule for us this year, but he was the key to our success last year,” Hardgrove said. “He gained a lot of confidence last year.”
Nordin, who raised his record to 5-2 on the season, gained even more as the matchup progressed. He retired the last 10 batters.
“This was probably my best performance of the year,” said Nordin, who struck out three and walked three. “I put trust in our defense to make plays, and they did again today.”
Mahtomedi (21-5) provided Nordin with more than enough support with a four-run second. The bottom three hitters in the order — Joe Rock, Adam Stone and Charlie Bartholomew — delivered three run-scoring singles. It was No. 9 hitter Bartholomew’s fourth consecutive hit and third RBI of the tournament. Rock finished 3-for-3 as the trio accounted for five of the Zephyrs’ eight hits.
“We can produce runs one through nine in the order,” Nordin said. “The bottom of our order came through with some key RBIs.”
Little Falls (20-6) scored its lone run in the third. Thomas Miller singled home Austin Jenks, who walked to open the inning.
“Mitch is a warrior,” Hardgrove said. “He took over the game the last three innings.”
Nordin pitched out of jams in the second and fourth. In the second, he induced an inning-ending double play grounder with runners on the corners. In the fourth, Little Falls losing pitcher Mitchell Boros hit a soft liner to first base for the final out with the bases loaded.
“I think we were destined to make the state championship this year,” Nordin said.
