By Dave Erickson
The Maple Lake Lakers went on an unprecedented championship run that culminated with a title clinching 6-4 victory over the Bird Island Bullfrogs on Monday, Sept. 4 at Delano in the 100th Minnesota Baseball Association State Tournament.
Bird Island became the fifth straight number one seed to fall to the third seed Maple Lake on the Lakers way to their second title in 12 years and fourth overall.
Maple Lake 3, Sartell 1
Hunter Malachek went the distance for the Lakers, allowing just four hits and three walks while striking out three in Saturday’s (Sept. 2) 4th round state tournament victory over the Muskies. In the first eight innings, Sartell could muster just two hits, and only three Muskies reached second; on two of those occasions, Malachek struck out the last hitter of the inning. A sacrifice fly in the ninth accounted for their lone run.
The Maple Lake Lakers victory pile on the Delano field after defeating Bird Island 6-4 for the Minnesota Baseball Association State title.