MINNEAPOLIS — The magic of Mayo's baseball season came to an end on Friday with a 6-3 loss to Lakeville North in the consolation round of the Class AAA state baseball tournament.
After suffering a heart-breaking 3-2 loss in 11 innings to Minnetonka in the state quarterfinals on Thursday, the Spartans were unable to rebound against Lakeville North at Siebert Field on the University of Minnesota campus.
"After last night's (Thursday's) tough loss to Minnetonka in 11 innings, it was very difficult for both the players and coaches to get up for this game," Mayo coach Dan Hoefs said. "I think we were all emotionally, mentally and even physically exhausted after that loss."
Lakeville North scored four times in the second inning and never trailed. Zach Creighton had the big hit with a two-run double.
The Spartans were down 5-0 before scoring three times with two outs in the top of the sixth. Three straight walks, a single by Zach Robertson and another walk plated Mayo's three runs before a ground out ended the threat.
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"Once again our kids wouldn't give up," Hoefs said. "When we were down 5-0 we could have packed it in but the kids rallied to give themselves a chance."
Mayo finishes the season 14-13, including its stellar late-season run which resulted in the state appearance.
"What a great experience for a group of kids who never refused to give up," Hoefs said. "After going 9-10 in the regular season and getting the sixth (section) seed, I don't think anyone thought this was possible. To some degree, maybe even we couldn't imagine a postseason run like the one we put together."
CLASS AAA STATE CONSOLATION
Lakeville North 6, Mayo 3
Mayo#000#003#0#—#3#6#3
Lakeville North#040#101#x#—#6#10#1
Mayo:Christian Rosenow 1-for-3, 1 R; Sam Gunnarson 1-for-1; Michael Michalak 2-for-4; Brad Mathiowetz 1-for-4; Sam Hinsch 1 R; John Lundquist 1 R; Zach Robertson 1-for-3, 1 RBI; Jace Crowley 1 RBI. LP:Ryan Martin 2 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 1 BB, 1 K. Other pitchers: Sam Hinsch 3 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 1 K; Sam Riles 1 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 0 K.
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Lakeville North:AJ Sayer 1-for-3, 1 R; Zach Creighton 3-for-4, 1 2B, 3 RBI; Matt Arnold 1-for-1, 1 3B, 1 R; Ben Jensen 1-for-3, 1 R; Jake Braun 1-for-1, 2 R; Angelo Altavilla 1-for-1, 2 RBIs. WP:Dalton Lehnen 5.2 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 4 BB, 5 K. Sv:Matt Arnold 1.1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 2 K.
