Hayfield and Zumbrota-Mazeppa Softball are a Game Away from State

The Hayfield Vikings are a game away from repeating as Section 1A champions and advancing to the state softball tournament next weekend.

The Vikings crushed the ball and defeated Randolph in the winner's bracket 12-2 in five innings at Todd park in Austin on Wednesday evening.

Hayfield goes back to Austin on Thursday and has to win just one game to go to state.

Randolph went down to the elimination bracket and played Wabasha-Kellogg after their loss to Hayfield and lost a tough one 7-6. That means Wabasha-Kellogg will play Hayfield for a state berth and must beat them twice.

In Section 1AA, Zumbrota-Mazeppa was dialed in and rolled to a 9-0 win over Winona Cotter on Wednesday evening and play Cotter again Thursday. The Ramblers have to defeat the Cougars twice to advance to state.

After losing to Zumbrota-Mazeppa, Winona Cotter played Pine Island in a dandy game, winning 1-0 to end the Panthers' season.

Pine Island had just defeated Chatfield 5-1 to earn the right to play the Ramblers.

The championship is at 5PM Thursday at Austin's Todd Park.

In Section 2AA, Le Sueur-Henderson plays St. Peter at 5PM Thursday at Caswell Park in North Mankato and needs to win just one game to advance to state.

In Section 1AAA, Winona bested Kasson-Mantorville 3-1 in the championship bracket Wednesday in Austin.

The Komets then tangled with Austin and rolled to a 11-1 win to advance to a rematch with Winona on Thursday at 6PM in Austin.

In Section 2AAA, Mankato East plays Mankato West for the title and the Scarlets have to win just one game to advance while the Cougars must win twice at Caswell Park in North Mankato on Thursday.

In Section 1AAAA, No. 2 seed Farmington beat No. 1 seed New Prague 9-3 in the championship bracket at Todd Park in Austin on Wednesday.

The Tigers will play Lakeville South or New Prague at 6PM Thursday for the section title.