Faribault Advances in Section 1A Playoffs

Veteran Lakers player Joe Grote retired 16 straight batters at one point during a 6-2 win over Hampton today at Bell Field in Faribault.

The game did not start well for Faribault.  Hampton's first batter Eli Keirstead walked, stole second and advanced to third base when Dylan Oneil's throw ended up in centerfield.

Following a strikeout, Luke Walton stroked a single to left giving the Cardinals a 1-0 lead.

Hampton left handed starting pitcher Liam Bystol managed traffic on the bases throughout his five innings of work, allowng just a run.

The Lakers certainly had their scoring chances, Jack Jandro, Tucker Alstead and Dom Erickson each singled to load the bases in the 4th inning but Faribault did not score due to a pop out, strike out and force out.

Dylan O'Neal clobbered a triple to start the bottom of the 5th inning.  Riley Palmer stroked a fly ball to right center allowing O'Neal to score.  Austin Rendler was safe on an error and went to second base on a passed ball.  Jandro smacked a single to place runners at the corners but a Alstead grounder ended the inning with a double play.

Grote retired sixteen consecutive batters after he attempted to pick off Luke Walton at first allowing him to advance to second.  Walton gained the bases by an error with one out.

The Cardinals did not have another baserunner until the 8th inning when Tommy Belman hit a seeing eye single to shortstop with two outs.  Walton gained first on an error.  Cleanup hitter Tanner Rezny flew out to end the threat.

Tyson Werner came in to pitch in the 7th inning, opening with a walk by O'Neal, following a Palmer fly out to center, Rendler gained first on a throwing error.  Jandro walked, Alstead smacked a two run single to right center..

The Lakers added three runs in the bottom of the eighth.

Grote was hit by a pitch, O'Neal walked, Palmer stroked a two run double.  With two outs Alstead hammered a RBI single.  Palmer scored the final run by stealing home.

Hampton scored their final run with two outs in the ninth when Tyson Holder crossed the plate following a single by Blake Nicolai.  Holder walked with one out.  Tom Driscoll had singled prior to Nicolai and was thrown out trying to gain third base ending the game.

Grote finished the game throwing 113 pitches, 78 strikes with six strikeouts, two walks. 6 hits over nine innings.

After a 27 pitch first inning Grote did not throw more than 14 pitches in any inning the rest of the game with two ten pitch and three eight pitch innings.

The Lakers left 13 runners on base, 8 in scoring position while Hampton stranded 7 runners, 3 in scoring position.

Faribault travels to Rochester Sunday, August 2, 2026 for a 2:00 p.m. game against the Royals in the modified double elimination tournament.

A win advances them to the winner's bracket semifinals.

Hampton will host Owatonna at the same time due to an 8-2 loss to Lakeville.

It is the only elimnation bracket game Sunday meaning the loser is done for the season.

The Loonatics are at Miesville 2:OO p.m. Sunday,

In the other Saturday contest Hastings defeated New Ulm 4-1 wo the Hawks are at Elko Sunday.

The other winner's bracket game features Dundas at New Market.

The tournament continues next weekend.