NEW ULM -- The Willmar I VFW team's quest for a state tournament title came to an end late Friday night in a 3-2, eight-inning loss to upstart Redwood Falls.
Willmar finishes the season with a 31-5 record.
Redwood Falls hadn't been to a VFW state tournament in 30 years. The team would end up finishing third, losing to Mounds View 5-0 in the loser's bracket final on Saturday.
Willmar scored the game's first run in the second inning. Alec Saunders singled to lead off the inning then stole second and third bases, then scored on a fielder's choice.
Redwood Falls tied the game in the sixth, then scored twice in the top of the eighth. Micah Gronli led off with a triple and scored on an Elliot Serbus single. Brennan Hagert drove in the final run with a single.
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Willmar answered with a run in the bottom of the inning, but could get no closer.
Willmar starting pitcher Scott Skaalerud threw 5Xc innings, giving up one run on one hit. Jordan R. Smith took the loss.
Redwood Falls 3, Willmar 2
Redwood Falls 000 001 02 -- 3 5 0
Willmar 010 000 01 -- 2 5 3
HITTING - Redwood Falls: Micah Gronli 2-for-3, 3b, rbi; Elliot Serbus 1-for-4, rbi; Brennan Hagert 1-for-4, rbi ... Willmar: Jordan J. Smith 1-for-3; Logan Birkland 2-for-4; Alec Saunders 1-for-3, 2 sb's; Matt Odom 1-for-4, 2b, rbi
PITCHING (ip-h-r-er-bb-so) -- Redwood Falls: Sam Knudson (W) 7-5-2-*-3-4, Tyler Pendleton (S) 1-0-0-0-1-0 ... Willmar: Scott Skaalerud 5Xc-1-1-*-1-2, Jordan R. Smith (L) 1Zc-4-2-*-2-1
