Spirit Lake baseball executed in every facet of the game Wednesday as they secured a spot in the Class 2A District finals by defeating North Sentral Kossuth/Armstrong-Ringsted, 6-0, in Estherville. Mitch Peschon limited the Eagles to three hits and struck out seven through the game’s first five innings. During that time, Spirit Lake took a 1-0 lead in the second when Brandon Stoll drove in Tate Hanson, then busted the game open in the fifth with a four-run frame. The Indians took advantage of four hits and two NSK/AR errors. Zach Herrig finished with two hits, two RBI and a run scored. Casey Jones scored twice on his two hits, and Paul Brown drove in a run and crossed home once, as well. The loss was taken by Spencer Clausen, who allowed four earned runs on six hits in less than five innings of work. Jake Larson and Evan Hagebock both went 2-for-3 to lead the offense. North Sentral Kossuth/Armstrong-Ringsted’s season ends with a 26-8 record. Spirit Lake, at 23-6, will play against Alta-Aurelia on Saturday in Spencer for the District title. That game will be carried live on Q102 and at ExploreOkoboji.com starting at 6:45pm.
Elsewhere in Class 2A, Sheldon held court at home to eliminate South O’Brien behind a 4-1 decision. The Orabs will travel to Sioux Center on Saturday to battle Western Christian, after the Wolfpack sent the Warriors packing with an 8-6 victory in Sioux Center.
Harris-Lake Park and Graettinger-Terril/Ruthven-Ayrshire met up in the first round of the Class 1A District playoffs, and the Knights earned a 3-1 win in Lake Park on Wednesday. The low-scoring, pitchers dual featured a twelve-strikeout, four-hit performance by Wolves righthander Nathan Kyle, who took the loss. Ethan Peterson and Blaze Alesch combined to limit HLP to three hits, with Alesch striking out five down the stretch. Colin Brons led Harris-Lake Park with two hits, Kyle had one and Tanner Hiveley drove in the lone run. The Knights were paced by Mitch Girres, who was 2-for-3 with two RBI. Trevin Enderson had a pair of hits and Alesch drove in one run. Harris-Lake Park wraps up their season at 8-16. Graettinger-Terril/Ruthven-Ayrshire takes their 14-9 record back to Lake Park on Thursday to battle Clay Central-Everly in the second round. First pitch is set for 7pm.
