RAYMOND -- Sparked by Mike Jeseritz's two-run homer, Raymond clipped Willmar 6-3 in the Cornbelt South playoffs Friday.
The Rockets (18-7) move into Sunday's winner's bracket game where they will face Milroy at 1:30 p.m. Willmar (11-7) will host Sacred Heart also at 1:30 p.m. on Sunday in an elimination game.
With Cory Schwantes slugging an RBI double in the first inning and Josh Dahlke scoring in the second, Willmar grabbed an early 2-0 lead as Cody Scott cuffed the Rockets.
After being held scoreless for four innings, Raymond struck in the fifth when Kyle Knott hit a double with the bases loaded to tie the game. Mike Kragenbring later scored on an error to give Raymond its first lead.
But Willmar answered back in the sixth to tie things up again on Kyle Birkland's sacrifice fly. The Rockets had an answer of their own as Jeseritz crushed a two-run homer to out Raymond ahead for good.
ADVERTISEMENT
The Rockets added an insurance run in the eighth on Jed Nelson's RBI double.
Tyler Knott struck out six and scattered six hits and three walks in six innings of work to pick up the win. Zach Nelson earned the save after not allowing a run in the final three innings.
Scott lasted five innings, giving up six hits, four runs -- three earned -- and three walks to get tagged with the loss.
Raymond beat Willmar 2-1 on July 6 in Raymond and Willmar edged the Rockets 4-3 on May 30 in Willmar.
Raymond 6, Willmar 3
Willmar 110 001 000 -- 3 8 3
Raymond 000 032 01x -- 6 9 3
HITTING - Willmar: Matt Sagedahl 2-for-5; Cory Schwantes 2-for-5, 2b, rbi; Steve Wetterling 1-for-4; Lane Kleist 1-for-4; Josh Dahlke 1-for-2; Kyle Birkland 1-for-3, rbi ... Raymond: Mike Jeseritz 3-for-5, 2-run HR, 2 rbi; Jed Nelson 2-for-4, 2b, rbi; Mike Kragenbring 1-for-5; Kyle Knott 1-for-2, 2b, 2 rbi; Zach Nelson 1-for-4; Adam Schieck 1-for-3
ADVERTISEMENT
PITCHING (ip-h-r-er-bb-so) -- Willmar: Cody Scott (L) 5-6-4-3-3-1; Jordan Olson 3-3-2-2-0-4 ... Raymond: Tyler Knott (W) 6-6-3-2-3-6; Zach Nelson (S) 3-2-0-0-1-2
