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MILROY — Russell-Tyler-Ruthton’s trip to the Class A state tournament, save for The Beatles reference, was a “long and winding road.”
In the opening round back on Saturday, May 24, the Knights survived a 12-inning, one-run thriller over Tracy-Milroy-Balaton and the Panthers’ premium pitcher Trevor Smith.
Russell-Tyler-Ruthton’s Sean Griesse (left) watches as Gabe Elton makes a catch while nearly colliding with teammate Tyson Burns during the first game of the Section 3A Tournament championship at Yankee Field in Milroy. The Knights swept Yellow Medicine East to reach state for the first time ever. (Star photo by Eric Viccaro)
Then RTR (19-7) defeated county rival Edgerton/Southwest Minnesota Christian and twice beat talented Dawson-Boyd 9-2 (Wednesday, May 28) and 5-4 (Tuesday, June 3).
The Knights’ lone tournament hiccup versus Yellow Medicine East, a 7-6 loss on May 31, meant they would need to sweep the Sting in the Section 3A championships Thursday, June 5, at historic Yankee Field.
Russell-Tyler-Ruthton shortstop Gabe Elton (left) tags out Yellow Medicine East base runner Drew Monson (4) during the first game of what turned out to be a Section 3A championship doubleheader Thursday, June 5, at historic Yankee Field in Milroy. The Knights swept the Sting. (Star photo by Eric Viccaro)
In Minnesota, so long as a team wins its first game, the tournament follows a double-elimination format.
In the bottom of the sixth inning of Game Two with the crafty Knights’ lefty Gavin Schreurs pitching, YME’s Braden Nelson flew out to Sean Griesse.
Euphoria ensued, and Brayden Chandler leaped sky high into the air, as RTR thumped YME 18-3. The Knights dominated Game One in similar fashion, 15-5.
“It feels good to be part of this program, with its history, and the school,” RTR second-year head coach Danny Moffitt said. “We had our ups and downs, and I’m glad we figured it out.”
Russell-Tyler-Ruthton’s Danny Moffitt guided the Knights to state in only his second year leading the program. (Star photo by Eric Viccaro)
Moffitt, who formerly coached and played for the Pipestone A’s and also was an Arrow assistant for a time, said the Knights’ seven losses provided a learning tool.
Schreurs pitched the final two-thirds of an inning in relief of Eli Determan, which was part of RTR’s pitching advantage over the Sting.
Russell-Tyler-Ruthton’s Gavin Schreurs pitched both games of the Section 3A championship doubleheader. (Star photo by Eric Viccaro)
Paraphrasing Determan, Eli said it was difficult to pitch in the conditions (rain increased throughout the second game) and he credited outfielders Griesse, Drew Chandler and Schreurs for picking him up with solid defense in such miserable weather.
Determan allowed three runs (just one earned) on five hits with four strikeouts and two walks in 5-1/3 innings. He threw 94 pitches, 55 for strikes (58.5 percent strike efficiency).
Moffitt said the key was grinding out enough offense versus Sting ace Gunnar Fagen in Game One, and that’s exactly what RTR achieved. The Knights touched up Fagen for eight runs (seven earned) on 11 hits with one walk, one wild pitch and just one strikeout in 62 tosses.
“I thought it if we cleaned up our defense, it would be a competitive game,” Moffitt explained. “We had to stay focused (offensively), and keep our bats going.”
Braden Nelson and Eric Jimenez mopped up for Fagen, but the damage had been done and the Knights eventually plated 15 runs.
Russell-Tyler-Ruthton’s Seth Cowell swings for a hit during the first game of the Section 3A championship. (Star photo by Eric Viccaro)
Brayden Chandler, who also qualified for state in wrestling this past winter, was a spotless 4-for-4 with three RBI and three runs scored in the opener.
Schreurs also scored three runs on 3-for-4 hitting. Chase Christianson, Gabe Elton, Griesse and Determan all pushed across two runs. Drew Chandler contributed two RBI, and RTR finished with four doubles.
Tyler Wichman earned the win in Game One, allowing five earned runs on seven hits with five walks and one strikeout in 4-2/3 innings and 87 pitches. Schreurs threw the final 2-1/3 innings, fanning two YME batters.
Game Two featured the same high-octane attack, and an RTR six-run sixth inning eventually put the capper on advancing to state.
Brayden Chandler doubled, scored three runs and went 2-for-4 at the plate. Seth Cowell, Griesse and Elton also scattered two hits. Schreurs and Elton scored three times each.
Russell-Tyler-Ruthton players hoist the Section 3A Tournament plaque after sweeping Yellow Medicine East on Thursday, June 5, in Milroy. (Contributed photo by Jake McNeill, The Marshall Independent)
State information
The Minnesota State High School League seeded RTR seventh, which meant a first-round game versus No. 2 New Ulm Cathedral 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, June 11, at Joe Faber Field in St. Cloud.
Single ticket prices are $13 for adults and $8 for students for early-round contests.
Should the Knights reach the state championship Saturday at Target Field in Minnapolis, tickets are $15.50 for adults and $10.50 students.
In RTR’s half of the bracket, the other first-round game pits No. 3 South Ridge versus sixth-seeded Hayfield.
The other half features top-seeded Parkers Prairie (22-3) versus No. 8 Frazee and fourth-seeded Legacy Christian Academy (Andover) against No. 5 Red Lake County.
The third-place game will be at 3:30 p.m., Thursday, June 12, at Faber Field.
The consolation championship is at 2:30 p.m. June 12 at Bob Cross Field in Sauk Rapids.
Russell-Tyler-Ruthton’s Seth Cowell throws toward first for an out. (Star photo by Eric Viccaro)
INFORMATION
BASEBALL
Section 3A Tournament
Championship Games
At Yankee Field, Milroy
Game One
Russell-Tyler-Ruthton 15,
Yellow Medicine East 5
RTR 0 0 2 6 0 0 7 — 15 16 0
YME 2 0 3 0 0 0 2 — 5 9 2
WP: Tyler Wichmann, RTR
LP: Gunnar Fagen, YME
3B: Gunnar Fagen and Lane Wohlman, YME
2B: Gabe Elton, Brayden Chandler, Tyler Wichmann and Chase Christianson, RTR
Game Two
RTR 18, YME 3 (6)
RTR 0 4 5 0 3 6 — 18 10 2
YME 0 0 0 1 2 0 — 3 5 5
WP: Eli Determan, RTR
LP: Braden Nelson, YME
2B: Gabe Elton and Brayden Chandler, RTR; Gage Wilke, YME
Source: GameChanger mobile application.