CROOKSTON REDS RALLY LATE AGAINST BEMIDJI TO CLINCH RETURN TRIP TO THE STATE TOURNAMENT

The Crookston Reds scored seven runs in the seventh inning to complete a thrilling comeback in a 12-8 semifinal win over the Bemidji Lumberjacks, securing a second-straight trip to the State Tournament, in the Region 10C tournament hosted at Jim Karn Field in Crookston.

Crookston struck first as Will Zimmerman singled to open the first inning before stealing second and third base. Zimmerman ultimately scored from first base giving the Reds a 1-0 lead after one inning. In the bottom of the second inning, Bemidji responded in the second inning. The Lumberjacks started the inning with a strikeout before Bazil Zuehlke was hit by a pitch. Terry Hadden reached on an error and with runners, at first and second base Mitch Hendricks blasted a home run over the left field fence giving Bemidji a 3-1 lead. Crookston countered with one run in the top of the third inning. Will Zimmerman walked before stealing second and third base followed by a Bailey Schmitz sacrifice fly hit to centerfield scoring Zimmerman while cutting the deficit to 3-2. Bemidji started the bottom of the third inning with three-straight singles loading the bases before Matt Baier drove a fly ball into left field deep enough to plate Cody Rutledge giving Bemidji a 4-2 lead. A strikeout and groundout ended the threat from Bemidji in the third inning. In the fourth inning, Aaron Hollcraft singled to start a Reds’ rally before advancing to second base on a wild pitch. Cody Wardner singled into the outfield to score Hollcraft dropping Crookston’s deficit down to 4-3 heading into the bottom of the fourth inning. The Lumberjacks started their half of the fourth inning with a groundout before a single and walk put runners at first and second base. Cody Rutledge singled to plate one run before Zach Braun hit a double plating two more runs and boosting Bemidji’s lead to 7-3. A Matt Baier base hit plated the final run of the inning pushing the Lumberjacks ahead 8-3. Two straight scoreless innings from both sides sent the game into the seventh inning with Bemidji leading Crookston 8-3. Dave Grabowski started the inning with a solo home run for the Reds cutting the deficit down to 8-4. Matt Morin followed with a single before Aaron Hollcraft was hit by a pitch putting two runners on for Lars Brevik who doubled plating both Hollcraft and Morin putting Crookston within two runs of Bemidji. Brevik advanced to third base on a wild pitch followed by a Taylor Kenfield walk to get runners on the corners. Will Zimmerman hit a single to plate Brevik before Noah Zimmerman doubled plating both runners and giving the Reds a 9-8 lead. Dave Grabowski connected on a two-out single to complete the seven-run inning pushing the Crookston lead to 10-8. Bemidji looked poised to tie the game in the eighth inning with the base loaded and only one out but a strikeout and fly out dialed up by relief pitch Lars Brevik eliminated that threat preserving the Reds’ 10-8 lead into the eighth inning. Crookston added some insurance runs in the ninth inning. Taylor Kenfield walked with one out followed by a Will Zimmerman walk putting runners on first and second base before an errant throw to first base, trying to retire Noah Zimmerman on a ground ball, ended up along the first base line fencing plating two runs to give Crookston a 12-8 lead heading into the bottom of the ninth inning. Lars Brevik stepped back on the mound three outs away from a return trip to the State tournament and picked up back-to-back groundouts before a dropped fly ball in center field allowed Bemidji to get a runner on base. The next batter popped up to shortstop Will Zimmerman who made the catch to secure the 12-8 comeback victory. “I don’t think words can describe it, it’s exciting,” explained Crookston player/manager Matt Morin, “two years in a row and beating a team that finished third in the state last year to get there, we’re excited, to say the least.”

The Reds improve to 23-17 and are guaranteed a spot in the State tournament. They now take on the Ada A’s in the Region 10C championship needing a win this afternoon to force a winner-take-all title game tomorrow. State tournament game times and locations (New Prague, Shakopee, Jordan) will be announced Sunday morning.

For Crookston
Will Zimmerman – 3-3, 4 runs, rbi
Dave Grabowski – 4-5, run, 2 rbi