Spartans Top Sabres to Reach Section Semifinals

SARTELL — After a 10-run win over Hutchinson in the opening round of the Section 8-3A Playoffs two nights prior, the fourth-seeded ROCORI Spartans traveled to face top-seeded Sartell on May 28 in the second round.

And like two nights prior, the Spartans came away victorious.

ROCORI jumped out in front of Sartell early in the contest, not giving up the lead the rest of the way to pull away with a 6-3 win to advance to the section semifinals.

Leading the way for the Spartans at the plate was Zander Folkerts, who went 2-for-4 with a triple and three RBI, and Cal Heying, who finished 2-for-4 with a home run, two runs scored and one RBI. Max Fredin was the other Spartans player with multiple hits, going 2-for-4 with two runs scored. Caleb Maddox and Blake Kelly each added one RBI for ROCORI.

Nolan VanLoy tossed the first 6.1 innings on the mound to grab the postseason win, giving up just four hits, three runs, three walks and striking out six. Reece Kally pitched the final 0.2 innings to close things out, giving up two hits and no runs.

With the win, ROCORI continues on in the Section 8-3A Playoffs, next facing seventh-seed Fergus Falls on June 2 at the Municipal Athletic Complex in St. Cloud. The winner advances to the championship series, while the loser will move into the elimination bracket with a chance to still reach the section championship.