Brainerd loss forces rematch for district title

ST. CLOUD - Waite Park scored five runs in the fifth inning as it routed Brainerd 10-1, ending Brainerd's five-game winning streak in the championship game of the District 6 Division I tournament Friday night at Putz Field.

Kevin Peterson collected two hits for Brainerd, which saw its bats fall silent with one run on just five hits.

Trevor Howard struck out three and issued three walks as he was tagged with the loss.

Brainerd will have another chance to lock up its first district championship since 2005 as it faces Waite Park for a rematch Saturday at 11:30 a.m. The winner will advance to the Division I state tournament July 30 to August 2 in New Ulm.

Waite Park 0 1 1 0 5 3 0 0 0 - 10 15 2

Brainerd 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 - 1 5 2

WP: Reece Gregory. LP: Trevor Howard. Record: Brd entered Friday's game 12-13. Next: Brd vs Waite Park 11:30 at Putz Field.