The Wanamingo Jacks defeated the hometown Owatonna Aces 3-2 at Dartt's Park Sunday to remain alive in the double elimination Region 5C Minnesota Amateur Baseball playoffs.

Wanamingo was the home team in the game because they were the higher seed, (closed circuit to Region 3C, that's why you play all year to get a seed) but the Aces had to feel right at home on Chuck Fuller Field.

The Aces scored the first run of the game in the second inning off Wanamingo ace pitcher Alex Roosen.

Roosen walked the first three batters in the first inning and Owatonna did not score because he struck out the next three batters.

The turnaround came after a visit to the mound by Noah "China" Grove, which is why I'm endorsing #ChinaGroveforPresident.

Mike Randall had a lead-off single in the second for Owatonna and scored on an RBI single by Sheridan Skala.

Sandwiched in between was another walk and after two innings Roosen's day pitching was over. He threw 54 pitches in the two innings, 31 for strikes, walked four and struck out four while allowing two hits.

Wanamingo scored all three of their runs in the sixth inning thanks to a couple of errors by the Aces.

No. 9 hitter Andrew Anfinson reached first base after a routine grounder was turned into an error. Anfinson would be out at second base on a fielder's choice that Eric Swiggum beat out on the double play attempt.

Owatonna pitcher Brandon Wolf had a no-hitter going into the sixth inning, which Peder Sviggum broke with a single.

After a strike-out to get two outs, Alex Roosen was hit by a pitch to load the bases.

As one of the Jacks told me after the game, Aaron Holmes then had the at-bat of the season for Wanamingo.

On the eighth pitch of the at-bat with the count full after fisting off a couple nasty pitches, Holmes stroked the ball to the outfield to score two runs and the outfielder over ran the ball to allow a third run to score.

Owatonna would score a run in the ninth inning and had the tying and go-ahead runs on base before a line out to second ended the game.

Grove threw the final seven innings of the game and tossed 97 pitches, 61 for strikes. He allowed just one run, struck out four, walked two and hit two batters.

Wolf got the tough loss while throwing 103 pitches through eight innings, 65 for strikes. He fanned six and walked one, also hit two batters.

The loss ended Owatonna's season and Wanamingo will play Dodge County on Saturday at 1PM in the next elimination bracket game.

Owatonna Pitcher Brandon Wolf
Owatonna Pitcher Brandon Wolf
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