SSC baseball: Tigers rally, remain unbeaten

Farmington holds 2 1/2-game lead after defeating Apple Valley

On the same day they celebrated the 1,000th varsity game for Apple Valley baseball, the Eagles would have liked nothing better than to hand Farmington its first loss of 2023. That’s not how it worked out, though.

Down two runs after four innings, Farmington came back to win 4-2 and remain undefeated at 12-0. Through Monday’s games, the Tigers and Wayzata (also 12-0) are the only unbeaten teams in Class 4A baseball.

Preceding the game was a celebration of Apple Valley’s baseball history. Since the school opened in 1976, the Eagles have been to three state tournaments and won the Class 3A championship in 2006. All five head coaches in program history attended Monday’s game at Apple Valley High School.

With the game tied 2-2 in the seventh, Farmington’s first two hitter reached on a hit by pitch and bunt single. A sacrifice fly by Kelin Rasmussen put the Tigers ahead, and their fourth run scored when Marshall Gordan hit into a fielder’s choice.

Relief pitcher Brodie Gilbart struck out five batters over the final two innings to earn the victory.

Ryan Christiansen drove in Apple Valley’s runs with a first-inning double and third-inning single. Brandon Gentz pitched the first six innings for the Eagles and held Farmington to two runs, one earned. The Eagles are 3-9 in the conference and 4-9 overall.

Tanner Renzy drove in Farmington’s first run with a single in the top of the fifth. Dillon Carlson’s sacrifice fly in the sixth tied the game at 2-2. Ethan Bombardier pitched the first five innings, allowing five hits and one earned run while striking out six.

Monday’s victory kept Farmington in the South Suburban Conference lead by 2 1/2 games. The Tigers, ranked second in Class 4A, had six SSC games remaining starting Wednesday at Shakopee.

Baseball notes

• After Monday’s games Farmington, Prior Lake and Shakopee were the only South Suburban Conference teams with winning records. Burnsville improved to 7-6 with a 4-3 victory over Lakeville North on Tuesday. Eagan is making a push to get above .500 after defeating Lakeville North 5-2 on Monday for its sixth victory in the last eight games. The Wildcats are 5-7 in the conference and 6-7 overall after losing their first five games.

Wildcats pitcher Will Mitchell threw a complete game, holding Lakeville North to three hits and one earned run while striking out seven. He also went 2-for-3 at the plate. Brandon Lunneborg also had two hits.

Jacob Hammer and Kutter Herzig drove in runs for Lakeville North (5-7 conference, 5-8 overall).

• Cooper DeSutter of Eastview and Reid Marland of Lakeville South didn’t need help from the bullpen as both pitched complete games on Monday. Each pitcher held the opposing team to four hits, but DeSutter and the Lightning earned a 3-2 victory. DeSutter also drove in a run for Eastview (6-7 SSC, 6-8 overall). Luciano Maccarone’s third-inning single drove in a run to make it 3-0 and the Lightning held on even though Lakeville South (3-9) responded with two runs in the bottom of the third.