Fort Ripley's run ends in state tournament opener

GAYLOARD - The Fort Ripley Rebels left nine runners stranded and fell to Hampton 1-0 in the opening round of the Class C state tournament Sunday.

Brett Kramer picked up the loss despite allowing just four hits and one run in 6 1/3 innings. He struck out four and hit four batters.

Jim Kramer went 3-for-4 with a double. Brett Kramer, Joe Tautges and Jason Sather accounted for the Rebels other three hits.

Hampton pitcher Duane Slinde went six innings. He allowed five hits and struck out six.

Kramer held a one-hit gem going into the seventh. That's when Hampton strung together three singles.

The Rebels best scoring opportunity came in the fourth when Tautges dropped down a bunt single. Jim Kramer singled and Sather executed a sacrifice bunt to put runners on third and second. They became just two of the nine Rebels left on base.

Hampton 1 5 2

Fort Ripley 0 6 1

WP: Duane Slinde. LP: Brett Kramer. S: Corey Lorenzon.

Cannon Falls 2, Brainerd 1

GAYLORD - Cannon Falls No. 9 hitter Logan Godfrey singled with two outs in the seventh inning to drive in what would be the game winning run as the Bears eliminated the Brainerd Braves 2-1 Sunday in the opening round of the Class C state tournament.

The Bears Brandon Underdahl homered to right off of Braves starter Tony Whitlock to open the scoring in the fourth.

Ben Kepner scored the Braves lone run in the top of the fifth as John Riewer, playing in his 30th consecutive state tournament, knocked out a two-out double to tie the game.

Nate Foss finished 2-4, Riewer went 2-4 with a double and the RBI. Brandon Wolf had a double and Derek Owen added the Braves other hit.

Whitlock went the distance. He pitched eight innings with two strike outs, two walks and one hit batter. He allowed the two runs on five hits.

Cannon Falls starter Keith Meyers went nine innings. He struck out eight, walked none and hit one batter.

Brainerd 1 6 1

Cannon Falls 2 5 2

WP: Keith Meyers. LP: Tony Whitlock.