Nick Carlson allowed just four hits and one unearned run to pitch South Ridge, making its first state tournament appearance, to a 5-1 victory over Rushford-Peterson 5-1 in the final Class 1A quarterfinal on Thursday.
The third-seeded Panthers, who improved to 20-5 on the season, broke open the game with three runs in the bottom of the third. Mason Lane drove in two runs with a double and then scored on a double by Matt Clark.
Carlson, the only senior on the Panthers' roster, walked two and struck out six as he improved to 6-1 on the season.
Shawn Marg had two hits and Payton Hahn had an RBI for the Trojans (15-9).
South Ridge is located in St. Louis County, northwest of Duluth.