Sleepy Eye junior Jacob Berg stood near first base wanting water, air conditioning and teammate Zach Haala to finish what Berg started on the pitching mound – maybe even in that order.
Berg, the Indians’ starter, struck out 13 South Ridge batters in a 4-1 victory Friday in the Class 1A semifinals. Pitch count limits prevented Berg from getting the final out on a steamy afternoon at Chaska Athletic Park.
Berg helped No. 2 seed Sleepy Eye (18-5) reach its first title game appearance since winning the championship in 2000.
No. 3 seed South Ridge (20-6) got a fourth inning run but left the bases loaded.