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Coborn wins pitchers' duel, St. Thomas Academy wins 3A title

By RON HAGGSTROM, Star Tribune, 06/20/19, 8:30PM CDT

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Cadets senior Duke Coborn threw a 7-inning, 1-0 shutout against Benilde-St. Margaret's, keyed by a run-preventing throw from centerfielder Charlie Berg in the sixth inning.


St. Thomas Academy players celebrated after winning the Class 3A state championship, the first baseball title in school history. Photo: NICOLE NERI • nicole.neri@startribune.com

St. Thomas Academy senior Charlie Berg stood in center field, making his seventh appearance in a high school state tournament. He had never left as a champion the previous six times. His right arm let him conclude a stellar prep career with that elusive championship.

Berg’s one-hop laser to the plate threw out the potential tying run in the bottom of the sixth inning. His play helped key the Cadets in a 1-0 victory over Benilde-St. Margaret’s to win the Class 3A championship Thursday at Target Field.

It was the school’s first state baseball title since joining the Minnesota State High School League in the mid-1970s.

“This means so much to me, especially being my seventh state tournament,” said Berg, who also a member of Cadets’ football and Alpine skiing state tournament teams in his final year. “It’s crazy.”

Berg’s throw was perfect to junior catcher Alexander Casale, who had plenty of time to tag out Benilde-St. Margaret’s sophomore Jonny Woodford at the plate. Red Knights senior Ian Bahr had lined a two-out single to center, where Berg’s footwork was perfect to make the throw home.

“I knew what I was going to do even before the ball was hit,” Berg said. “I pictured it in my head. It was the perfect throw, in the perfect situation.”

First report

St. Thomas Academy senior Duke Coborn was hard to hit. He was even tougher with runners in scoring position.

Once it did happen, Cadets senior center fielder Charlie Berg's one-hop laser to the plate threw out the potential tying run in the bottom of the sixth inning Thursday at Target Field.

It allowed Coborn to throw a six-hit shutout, giving the Cadets their first state championship with a 1-0 victory over Benilde-St. Margaret’s in the Class 3A championship.

The start of the game was delayed 2, hours, 46 minutes due to rain.


St. Thomas Academy pitcher Duke Coborn threw against Benilde-St. Margaret's in the first inning Thursday at Target Field. Photo: NICOLE NERI • nicole.neri@startribune.com

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