Region 8B playoffs: D-C outlasts Maple Lake, 10-9

Dassel-Cokato and Maple Lake played to two one-run games in the regular season. So, what else would be expected in the first round of the Region 8B playoffs?

Luke Peterson beat out a strong throw from Maple Lake right fielder Tyler Decker on a Dan Birkholz sacrifice-fly in the eighth inning in the 10-9 Saints win.

Eighteen-year-old Jordan Flick picked up the win in relief, getting the final two outs of the eighth inning. Jordan Danielson closed the door on the Lakers in the ninth, stranding two runners with a strike out to reserve outfielder Mike Starke for the final out.

Brent Opsahl went 3-for-4 with two doubles and five runs batted in for the Saints. Birkholz, who lasted only three innings in his start, also had two hits while Cole Flick drove in two runs with a double to cap a five-run fourth inning.

Sam Marsnik took the loss in relief for the Lakers despite giving up only a solo hit while striking out five batters in 2 2/3 innings.

Tim Queck led all hitter with a 4-for-6 night, while Nate Johnson was 2-for-4 with three runs. Cody Decker was also 2-for-6 with a RBI-triple as Maple Lake pounded out 18 hits off four Saints pitchers.

D-C plays Plato at 4 p.m. Saturday. Danielson and Plato ace Tony Wischnack are the expected starters.

Maple Lake will play Thursday's St. Michael/Delano loser at 2 p.m. Sunday in an elimination game.

Dassel-Cokato 10, Maple Lake 9
ML 211 100 130 - 9 18 1
DC 011 502 01x - 10 10 3
Hitting - ML: Graham Brown 0-4, R; Tim Queck 4-6, R, 2RBI; Chad Raiche 0-5; Bert Marsnik 2-6, 2B, R, 2RBI; Nate Johnson 2-4, 3R, 2BB; Cody Decker 2-6, 3B, RBI; Marcus Zahn 2-3; Mike Starke 1-2, 2R, RBI; Tyler Decker 2-4, R, 2RBI; Riley Decker 2-3; Darin Decker 1-1.