Monticello's Isaac Frandsen slid safely into second base as Duluth Denfeld's Payton Budisalovich jumped over him in the second inning of the Class 3A quarterfinal Thursday at Siebert Field. Photo: ELIZABETH FLORES • liz.flores@startribune.com
Monticello seniors Ethan Bosacker and Alex Otto take turns bailing each other out on the mound when one runs into difficulty. It was Bosacker’s turn Thursday.
The Xavier recruit threw one-hit ball over the final 5⅓ innings as the Magic, appearing in its first state tournament, overcame an early four-run deficit to defeat Duluth Denfeld 5-4 in the Class 3A quarterfinals at Siebert Field on the University of Minnesota campus. Bosacker struck out seven and walked one.
“Ethan was extra sharp today,” Monticello coach Cole Deibele said. “That was his best performance of the year.”
Senior Carson Sawatzke broke a 4-4 tie with a run-scoring single between third and short with one out in the bottom of the sixth inning. It was his second hit of the game.
“I wanted to put a good swing on the ball, and get it to the outfield,” Sawatzke said. “I think people overlook our hitting a little bit because our pitching is so good.”