Holy Family shuts out LeSueur, keeps rolling in baseball playoffs - photo slideshow

Holy Family was a very hot baseball team going into the Section 2AA quarterfinal Thursday against LeSueur-Henderson.

A good start to the wet afternoon game and a strong finish helped the Fire to an 8-0 shutout of the Giants.

The Fire, winners of 14 of their past 15 games, will play either Waseca or Maple River in the 2AA semifinals at 11 a.m. on Saturday at Waseca. Another Fire victory puts the team in the championship game, set for 5 p.m. on June 5.Eric Koehler

LeSueur-Henderson drops to the elimination bracket, and faces Norwood Young America at 1:30 p.m. Saturday at Waseca.

Holy Family starter Pat Balius got two quick outs to begin the
game, before LeSueur’s Matt McPartland dinged a double down the left-field line. Balius then stopped the threat with a inning-ending strikeout.

The Fire made two quick outs in the first inning, but then
benefited from several Giants fielding miscues.

Holy Family junior Eric Koehler hit a single, and Balius followed with a bloop hit to shallow right field. Giants second baseman Nathan Mediger caught the ball on the run, but collided with teammate Joe Savage and tumbled awkwardly, landing on his shoulder. The ball popped out, and Balius was
safe at second base and Koehler scored. Mediger left the game and was taken to a hospital for x-rays.

But the inning was not over for the Fire. Senior John Anderson hit a very high popup to the infield, but the ball popped out of the first baseman’s glove. Anderson, rounding first, was suddenly caught in a rundown, but was able to scamper safely to second base. Junior catcher Tony Bauer then singled in Anderson.

A pair of walks loaded the bases, but the inning finally ended
for the Giants on a long fly ball to center field off the bat of Brad Hallman.

The Fire doubled the lead in the second inning. Bennett Dragos hit a blooper to right field, but the ball was again dropped by a LeSueur fielder. Chris Campbell then singled with the hit-and-run play on as Dragos went to third base. Koehler then singled up the middle to plate Dragos. Balius then singled drive in another run, and a misplay in the outfield allowed Koehler to come home.

The Fire is 16-6 overall going into Saturday's action.

- By Tim McGovern, Chaska Herald Sports Editor

Results Thursday, May 29

Championship bracket

Holy Family 8, LeSueur-Henderson 0

Waseca vs. Maple River

Elimination bracket

Norwood Young America 13, United South Central 2

Jordan vs. St. Peter

Games Saturday, May 31

at Waseca

Championship semifinals

#3 Holy Family vs. #1 Waseca/#2 Maple River, 11 a.m.

Elimination bracket

#3 Norwood Young America vs. #4 LeSueur-Henderson, 1:30 p.m.

#2 Jordan/#8 St. Peter vs. #1 Waseca/#2 Maple River, 4 p.m.

Game Tuesday, June 3

at Waseca

Elimination bracket

Saturday’s elimination-bracket winners, 5 p.m.

Game Thursday, June 5

at Waseca

Championship, 5 p.m.