While hits were hard to come by in a low-scoring affair on Tuesday, Gerber was able to record a pair of hits and finished 2-for-4 with a double and the walk off. 

“I feel like I’m at my best right now, honestly. I feel like most of the balls I hit are barrel, so it’s just good to see them drop,” Gerber said. “It’s just a matter of whether they drop or not.” 

The Crimson (11-4, 8-3) would have liked to see more hits drop, but Champlin Park was stingy on defense and saw a strong start from pitcher Myer Schmitz. Schmitz kept the Crimson off the board for five innings, and pitched six total, finishing with five strikeouts. 

Schmitz’s strong start allowed the Rebels (11-6, 9-2) to strike first in the fifth inning. Senior Dylan Shuck reached on a single and was brought home off a double from fellow senior Clayton Caswell. Center fielder Evan Hammonds followed up with a single to left to bring Caswell home. 

Maple Grove, meanwhile, had tabbed a couple hits, but couldn’t put anything on the board and found themselves down 2-0. 

But the Crimson were able to string together a couple of hits in the sixth inning, and they plated enough runs to tie it up. 

Junior Cam Elder opened the inning with a single and was brought home not long after by another single from Zane Vitense. Vitense went home for the tying run shortly after, when third baseman Aiden McMahon tabbed a single of his own.

“I give the kids credit here at the end. They put a couple balls into play and then Gerber hit… We’ll take the win,” Carlson said. 

From the mound, Maple Grove pitcher Kole Krier settled back in after giving up two runs in the fifth. Krier tossed all seven innings and tallied eight strikeouts. Carlson said it was Krier’s best performance of the season and that he’s excited about the team’s pitching staff. 

“It’s great to see and you love to see it. There’s no better kid who deserves it more,” Gerber said of Krier’s performance. 

With a strong pitching staff and a win over one of the best teams in the state, the Crimson have reason to be optimistic as the season moves toward the playoffs. But Carlson said they “aren’t even looking” at the postseason yet. They still have five games remaining, including a season-closing matchup against No. 1-4A St. Michael-Albertville. 

“It’s just a matter of getting better. And hopefully our hitting gets hot at the right time, our pitchers continue to throw strikes, and we’ll be alright,” he said.