Red Lake Falls vs. West Lutheran

Recap

Red Lake Falls vs. West Lutheran Class A Semifinals

North Mankato, MN — The Red Lake Falls Eagles were left wondering “What if?” after a controversial triple play thwarted a bases-loaded, sixth-inning rally.

West Lutheran took advantage of 4 first inning walks as Evelyn Valleau delivered a 2 RBI single to make it 2-0 in the opening frame. From there it turned into a pitchers duel as neither pitcher allowed a hit for the next 2 and a half innings. In the top of the 4th a leadoff walk haunted the Eagles as West Lutheran was able to score off of an error to make it 3-0. In the top of the 5th the Warriors finally used the bats to score yet another run after they got 3 hits including an RBI single from the 9 hitter Juliet Roeber to make it 4-0. Red Lake Falls finally got their first hit of the game in the bottom of the 5th on a bunt single from Ella Breiland, but the Eagles were unable to do anything. The bottom of the 6th is where mayhem ensued. The Eagles’ Kylie Klipping opened up with a double to right center field. Grace Knutson then walked and then Ava Seegar delivered a bloop single to load up the bases with 0 outs to give the Eagles a terrific chance to get back into the game. Kayla Schafer came up and scorched a low liner back to the pitcher, which was hard to tell if she caught it in the air or not, the Eagles runners, and the Warriors fielders were all confused, but Warriors’ pitcher Eleanor Rolf decided to throw over to first as the touched the bag and then threw over to 3rd and touched the bag while the Eagles still weren’t sure what to do. A long discussion began between the 3 umpires, and then a discussion between the home plate umpire and head coaches, and then a meeting with the three umpires and 2 rules officials, and then finally again between the home plate umpire and coaches. The ruling was that it was a triple play because of the catch and then touching both 1st and 3rd. Neither team got anything going in the final inning and Red Lake Falls will leave with that looming question of “What if?”

WP: Eleanor Rolf: 7 IP, 3 hits, 0 ER, 4 BB, 5 K’s

LP: Kylie Klipping: 7 IP, 6 hits, 4 R, 6 BB, 8 K’s

West Lutheran will play in the Championship Game in Class A on Friday on the University of Minnesota campus (Jane Sage Cowles Stadium) against the 1 seed, United South Central at 5:30pm.

Red Lake Falls will be back at Caswell Park in North Mankato to take on BOLD in the 3rd place game at 1:30pm.