Aces Qualify for State Baseball Tournament, Still to Play for Top Seed

The Owatonna Aces clinched a state tournament berth on Sunday, but will still host action this coming weekend at Dartts Park while determining the top seed from Region 5C.

It took extra innings on Sunday in the winner's bracket final between top-seeded Wanamingo and third seed Owatonna. Wanamingo scored three times in the bottom of the eighth to tie the game at 4-4. The Aces pushed across a run in the 12th inning, only to see Wanamingo level the score in the bottom of the inning. The Aces added another in the 13th for the 6-5 victory. Cody Johnson pitched into the ninth inning. Tyler Smith followed on the mound. Brandon Wolf picked up the save.

The win guarantees the Aces one of the two spots from Region 5C. Owatonna plays again Sunday, Aug. 16, at 11AM against the team that survives Saturday's action. Hayfield and Stewartville play at 1PM on Saturday, Aug. 15. The winner faces Wanamingo at 4PM. The winner of that game would have to beat Owatonna twice on Sunday to take the top seed from the region. All games are at Fuller Field at Dartts Park in Owatonna.

The state Class C baseball tournament will be held in Cold Spring and Watkins beginning Aug. 21.