Northfield Falls to Defending Class B Champions

The Northfield Knights could not master Chanhassen Red Birds ace John Straka in the second round of the Class B Minnesota State Amateur Baseball Tournament tonight in Dassel.  The Knights got a terrific pitching performance from their ace Jake Mathison.

Both pitchers went the distance with Mathison scattering 6 hits over 8 innings.  The Northfield HIgh School graduate struck out 7 and walked 2 in the game.  Straka also struck out 7 and walked 2 while allowing 3 hits in his 9 innings of work.

Mathison, Sam Maus and Thomas Meland each singled for Northfield.

Chanhassen clubbed three doubles in the game.  Garrett Fischer, Michael Jurgella, Aaron Kloeppner connected for the extra baggers.  Nick Smith notched a sacrifice fly RBI and Shawn Riesgraf had the other RBI for the Red Birds.

Chanhassen also had two stolen bases in the victory.

The Red Birds also have Logan Spitzack of Triton Cobras fame on their team.  Spitzack had a successful college baseball career at St. Cloud State.  He now lives in Albertville.

Logan excelled in high school in football, basketball and baseball.

The Red Birds will play Friday, August 30 at 7:30 p.m. against the winner of the Saturday game between Blaine and the Moorhead Brewers.

Northfield begins elimination bracket action Sunday in Delano at 4:30 p.m. against the loser of the Moorhead Brewers vs. Blaine game.

In other Class B games Miesville plays Chaska 1:30 p.m. Saturday in Dassel.

Dundas faces Victoria at 4:30 p.m. Saturday in Dassel.  Losers of those games play Sunday in Delano at 7:00 p.m.  Winners of those game play Friday, August 30 in Dassel at 5:00 p.m.

Other KDHL area teams in the single elimination Class C Tournament this weekend include:

Region 5 representative Lake City plays Region 13 Champion Fairmont in Maple Lake at 1:30 p.m. Saturday.

Region 3 Champion New Market takes on Luverne at 4:30 p.m. Saturday in Maple Lake.

Region 3 representative Prior Lake faces Region 16 Champion Fergus Falls in Delano 11:00 a.m. Saturday.

Region 5 Champion Red Wing plays against Avon 11:00 a.m. Sunday in Delano.