EDEN PRAIRIE -- Hoping for a repeat of last season, the Willmar baseball team stayed alive in the Section 2AAA tournament Saturday with a 4-3 win over Mankato West.
In 2007, the Cardinals (8-12) ventured through the loser's bracket only to fall in the championship game.
On Saturday, Mike Dunham hit a sacrifice fly to center field and Travis Hanson hit an RBI fielder's choice to score two runs in the top of the seventh inning to give Willmar a 4-3 lead.
Willmar lost to Mankato West in the first round, 2-1.
David Anderson faced five batters in the bottom of the inning and left runners at first and second base.
ADVERTISEMENT
"I see guys stepping up, making plays," Willmar coach Brad Dean. "Our minds are in the game a little better. Everybody's picked it up."
Willmar scored twice in the second on a Logan Birkland double and a Mankato West error.
The Scarlets plated two runs in the fifth to take a 3-2 lead.
Anderson scattered eight hits, struck out six and walked one in the complete-game win.
The Cardinals play host Eden Prairie at 5 p.m. today. Willmar would need to beat the Eagles twice to advance in the section tournament.
The second game would be held following the conclusion of the first game.
Willmar 4, Mankato West 3
Willmar 020 000 2 -- 4 7 1
ADVERTISEMENT
Mankato West 010 020 0 -- 3 8 1
HITTING - Willmar: Josh Oesterich 1-for-4, 2b; Jordan Smith 2-for-4; John Sawatzky 1-for-3, 2b; Logan Birkland 1-for-2, 2runs, rbi; Alex Malmgren 1-for-3, 2b; Travis Hanson 1-for-2, rbi ... Mankato West: Derrick Catrysse 1-for-4; Adam Trautman 2-for-3; Brendon Watts 1-for-3; Brock Watts 1-for-3; Brock Lloyd 1-for-3, rbi; Alex Sukalski 1-for-3; Jon Howard 1-for-3, rbi; Ray Teachout 1-for-3
PITCHING (ip-h-r-er-bb-so) -- Willmar: David Anderson (W) 7-8-3-2-1-8 ... Mankato West: Luke Weber (L) 7-7-4-3-0-3
