Rocori Wins Two to Advance in Section 5-3A Playoffs

COLLEGEVILLE -- The Rocori Spartans baseball team won two games on Monday to stay alive in the Section 5-3A playoffs.

Rocori kicked off the day facing Sartell at 10 a.m. at St. John's University, taking down the Sabres in walk-off fashion.

The Spartans scored three runs in the bottom of the seventh inning, capped off by a walk-off single from Matt Koshiol, to come back to beat Sartell 9-8.

Koshiol finished 2-for-4 with one RBI, Jack Steil went 2-for-4 with two RBI and one run scored and Brandon Gill went 2-for-4 with one RBI and one run scored to lead Rocori in the game. Dalton Thelen and Matthew Waletzko each added one RBI.

Eli Emerson earned a complete-game win on the mound, giving up five earned runs, one walk and striking out eight.

Rocori advanced to take on Big Lake later on in the day on Monday, once again coming away with the win.

The Spartans defeated Big Lake 6-0 to continue to advance in the Section 5-3A playoffs.

Rocori, which had a four-run fourth inning, was led by Jack Steil who went 2-for-3 with two RBI and one run scored. Reed Ruegemer went 1-for-3 with one RBI and one run scored for the Spartans.

Brady Klehr pitched six shutout innings on the bump for Rocori to get the win. He gave up four hits, no walks and struck out two in 48 pitches. Blake Miller pitched one shutout inning in relief.

With the pair of victories, Rocori advances to play St. Cloud Apollo in the Section 5-3A loser's bracket at 2 p.m. Tuesday back at St. John's University. The winner of that game will advance to face top-seeded Monticello in the championship round, which will start at 4 p.m. Tuesday.