Elko Walks Their Way to Title Game

The Faribault Lakers Sunday saw a 6-2 lead fall in a 7-6 loss to the Elko Express at Fredrickson Field in Elko.

Elko scored 4 runs in the 5th inning to tie the game with just one hit due to 3 walks and 2 Laker errors.

The Express got the winning run in the sixth when the inning opened with a double followed by a RBI single by Joe Peterson.

Peterson would try to score on a throw to second but shortstop Joey Grote threw a bullet to catcher Tucker Alstead for the out.

Faribault High School graduate and one-time Lakers player Jake Petricka came on in relief in the 4th inning and went the rest of the way.

After giving up 3 runs on 4 hits in the 4th inning, Petricka hit his spots with 9 strikeouts over the final 5 innings of work.  He walked 3 batters and gave up 3 hits the rest of the game finishing with120 pitches thrown, 71 strikes.

Faribault left handed thrower Mason Miller started the game and looked good in his 3 innings of work.  He threw 43 pitches, 29 strikes allowing 2 hits and an unearned run thanks to two out error.

Carter Quinlan pitched next throwing to 8 batters with 3 hits, a home run, single, double and 2 walks allowing 3 runs.

Porter Sartor took the hill after that and faced 9 batters with 3 runs scored including the first two batters he faced who he walked.  Two Lakers errors didn't help them that inning either.

Dom Erickson threw to 7 batters with 4 walks but no hits or runs allowed and Joey Grote finished the game with 4 batters faced, a strikeout and hit batter.

Rosemount High School player Callan Ronay played shortstop and led off for the Express clubbing two doubles and scoring two runs.

Chase Hentges smashed an 0-2 count home run and collected a sacrifice fly RBI.  The Express roster lists the 36 year old having some professional experience.

Elko goes to Miesville Friday, August 14, 2026 to determine the top two seeds from Section 1A.

Faribault hosts New Ulm  Friday with a win gaining one of the four State Tournament berths from the Section.  The other elimination bracket game Friday has Rochester going to New Market,

The winners of those games square off Saturday to determined the #3 and #4 seeds from the Section with the Miesville/Elko game deciding the #1 and #2 seeds.

Here are the other scores this weekend in Section 1A from Saturday.  Rochester over Hampton 8-7 ending the Cardinals season.

New Ulm blanked Dundas 3-2 ending the Dukes year. The Brewers then clipped Hastings 3-1 to end the Hawks season.

Sunday Miesville clobbered New Market 10-2 in the other winner's bracket contest.

The Faribault game at Bell Field Friday has a first pitch of 8:00 p.m.