Bemidji overcame an odd turn of events that forced extra innings to advance to the Class 3A state championship game.

The Lumberjacks rallied for two runs in the eighth inning to defeat Eden Prairie 8-6 in the first of two semifinal games at Midway Stadium in St. Paul on Friday.

After Eden Prairie (15-11) tied the game 6-6 in the bottom of the seventh, Bemidji (25-2) managed to keep its composure for one more burst of offense aided by a couple errors.

Four Lumberjacks contributed multiple hits, with catcher Collin Leif going 3-for-5 with 3 RBI. Nick Hovila, Mitch Hendricks and Mason Bellew had two hits apiece.

Brett Guba and Logan Borg drove in four of Eden Prairie's runs. Guba was hitless, but walked twice, and Borg collected two hits.

Bemidji will play the winner of tonight's second semifinal game between Eastview and Grand Rapids.

JASON GONZALEZ, Star Tribune
 

Mitch Hendricks, Bemidji- Mitch Hendricks was the the winning pitcher in this afternoon's crazy extra inning game.  He went 4 2/3 innings giving up 5 hits, allowing 3 runs and 1 strike out. Hendricks was also one for three at the plate and scored two runs.  

Collin Leif, Bemidji- Leif was clutch at the plate in Friday's AAA semi final action at Midway Stadium.  Collin was three for five and scored once in the Lumberjack's 8-6 victory.  

Dan Loats, Eden Prairie- Despite the loss, Dan Loats came on for a strong performance in early relief of Corey Binger.  Loats went 6/23 only giving up two runs on six hits and striking out two.  Entering the game with a 6-0 deficit, he gave the Eagles a chance to take it to extra innings.  

-Ryan Brodd, MN Baseball Hub Staff