LITCHFIELD -- Willmar got some revenge against Alexandria Thursday as Post 167 held on to earn a 9-6 win in the winner's bracket final of the District 7, Division I playoffs at Optimist Park.
Just over two weeks ago, Alexandria had snapped Willmar's 10-game winning streak. Post 167 (20-6) has since gone 4-1 and will look to extend a current three-game winning streak today when they take on Alexandria, again, in the championship at 5 p.m at Litchfield. A win by Alexandria would force a second game.
The champion would play next Thursday at 10 a.m. in Burnsville in the first round of the state tournament. Willmar is the defending District 7 champion.
Willmar never trailed as RBI singles from Kyle Birkland and Kyle Townswick in the second inning gave Post 167 a quick 2-0 lead.
Two more runs followed in the fifth as Jordan Smith, who went 3-for-5, knocked in Townswick, who had led off the inning by reaching on an error, with a two-run homer.
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The lead grew to 6-1 in the sixth after Mike Dunham drove in a run with a fielder's choice and later scored on an error.
Smith later brought in Townswick with a single in the eighth and scored on a passed ball, as did Matt Seehusen.
Two-run homers from Joe Snaza and Tyler Erickson in the seventh and ninth closed the gap for Alexandria, but Willmar starter Jason Scheffler stood his ground, going the distance to pick up a complete-game victory. Scheffler surrendered six hits and four walks while striking out six and also doubled twice at the plate.
Alexandria advanced to the final after outslugging Marshall 26-15 in the loser's bracket final. Marshall clipped Litchfield 8-4 earlier in the day.
Willmar 9, Alexandria 6
Willmar 020 022 120 -- 9 12 3
Alexandria 010 000 302 -- 6 6 2
HITTING - Willmar: Kyle Birkland 2-for-5, rbi; Kyle Townswick 1-for-4, 2 runs, rbi; Matt Seehusen 1-for-4; Jordan Smith 3-for-5, 2b, 2-run HR, 2 runs, 3 rbi; Ross Van Hauen 1-for-3; Jason Scheffler 2-for-5, 2 2b's; Alex Malmgren 1-for-4; Mike Dunham 1-for-4, 2 runs, rbi ... Alexandria: Jake Leuschke 2-for-4, rbi; Joe Snaza 1-for-4, 2-run HR, 2 rbi; Tyler Erickson 1-for-5, 2-run HR, 2 rbi
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PITCHING (ip-h-r-er-bb-so) -- Willmar: Jason Scheffler (W) 9-6-6-5-4-6 ... Alexandria: Mike Gronseth 6-8-6-5-3-5, Chris Koep (L) 2-4-3-3-5-0, Spencer Timm 1-0-0-0-0-0
