Panthers advance to first state tournament in three years

The team will move on to state following 15-5 win against the Rum River Bandits

After having no luck offensively in a 3-0 loss to the Isanti Redbirds on Friday, Aug. 9, the Princeton Panthers offense erupted like a volcano for 15 runs in a 15-5, 8-inning win over the Rum River Bandits at Brennan Field in Hinckley. Princeton advanced to the Minnesota Baseball Association Class C tournament for the first time since 2021 and for the 18th time overall. The Panthers, along with Isanti, will represent Section 1B at the state tournament.

Panthers manager John Patnode said Princeton is hungry for postseason success.

“The boys want it,” Patnode said. “We’ve added some great young players to the team. They’ve been tremendous. They embody Princeton baseball. They’re guys that are ready to play and ready to play at a young age. We’re excited to be back at state. We’ve got a good shot to win at least a few games.”

The Panthers first state tournament appearance came back in 1935. Princeton’s best finish at the state tournament was finishing as the Class C runner-up in 2000.

Princeton scored six runs in the bottom of the first inning. Catcher Eli Gibbs had a two-run triple, Tanner Kinney hit an RBI double, and Tyson Dusosky flied out to right field, allowing Gibbs to score from third base.

The highlight of the game came in the third inning when Gibbs hit a solo home run off the American flag pole in left center field. Pitcher Damon Rademacher threw a complete game. Rademacher allowed four earned runs, nine hits and three walks while striking out 11 Bandits.

Jake Carlson and Nolan Spence also contributed offensively for the Panthers. Carlson had an RBI double, while Spence had a team-high four RBIs. Dusosky and Gibbs had three RBIs, while Kinney had two. Panthers batters struck out only twice against Rum River pitchers Brayden Olson and Mike Koplitz.

Princeton plays the Nisswa Lightning in the opening round of the MBA state tournament on Sunday, Aug. 18, at 11 a.m. at the Mini Met Park in Jordan. The winner of this single knockout game advances to play the Sartell Muskies in the round of 32 on Sunday, Aug. 25, at 11 a.m. at Mini Met. Tickets can be purchased at the ballpark and aren’t available online. They are $5 for adults and $1 for students in grades K-12. Unfortunately, there are no discounts for senior citizens 65 and older.