Andrew Hesebeck's bases-loaded double in the seventh produced all the scoring in the game for Lakefield and the Frogs got good performances from three pitchers in winning 3-1 over Ruthton in Game Three of their amateur baseball playoff series at Stan King Field.
Hesebeck's double was only the second and as it turned out, final hit of the game and the only other hit had come from the batter right before Hesebeck.
The visiting Royals scored their lone run in the third inning and that lead stood until the home half of the seventh.
With one out, Jon Hummel walked, Trevon Bargfrede was hit by a pitch and then Levi Lindley got Lakefield's first hit, a single up the middle that loaded the bases.
Hesebeck would follow with a double just inside the left field line to clear the bases.
"I was talking with (Lakefield coach Brent Christopher) before the at bat and he told me to just go up there with a clear mind," said Hesebeck. "We were told most of the game to sit back and wait on his fastball so I went up there looking for a fastball, waited on it and hit it to left."
The Frogs had been talking about patience throughout the game and finally were able to break through.
"We talked like every inning that we weren't getting anything done," said Lakefield player/manager Nolan Luhmann. "We needed to make him throw pitches because we thought he would start struggling and that's what finally happened. We got a couple of walks. Levi broke it open with a base hit up the middle and Hesebeck put the dagger in when he hit one down the left field line. We needed it. It's no fun losing this first round because the regional tournament is a lot of fun and we look forward to it come Wednesday."
After taking the lead, the Frogs needed to get six more outs and they were able to get them, with Keegan Klontz pitching a second scoreless inning of relief in the eighth and Trevon Bargfrede set down Ruthton in order in the ninth.
Dalton Henning started and pitched well for the Frogs, but left with his team trailing 1-0. He went six innings, allowing one run on three hits, walking two, hitting two batters and striking out three.
"I wish we could have got Dalton the win," Luhmann said. "He pitched well enough to win but it just didn't happen that way. Keegan came in and threw well and then Trevon has done that for us all year, come in and shut the door."
Lakefield advances to the Region 13C Playoffs and another best-of-three series that will start on Wednesday. Pairings will be determined Monday.
FIRST NITE-GOPHER LEAGUE PLAYOFFS
Jackson vs. Tracy
Jackson wins series 2-0
Wednesday - Jackson 21, Tracy 0 (7 innings)
Saturday - Jackson 18, Tracy 2 (7 innings)
Lakefield vs. Ruthton
Lakefield wins series 2-1
Wednesday - Lakefield 5, Ruthton 1
Friday - Ruthton 11, Lakefield 1 (8 innings)
Sunday - Lakefield 3, Ruthton 1
Fox Lake vs. Adrian
Adrian wins series 2-1
Wednesday - Adrian 9, Fox Lake 2
Friday - Fox Lake 17, Adrian 7 (7 innings)
Sunday - Adrian 10, Truman 2
Pipestone vs. Heron Lake
Pipestone wins series 2-0
Wednesday - Pipestone 4, Heron Lake 0
Saturday - Pipestone 3, Heron Lake 0
Hadley vs. Mountain Lake
Hadley wins series 2-0
Wednesday - Hadley 14, Mountain Lake 4 (7 innings)
Saturday - Hadley 9, Mountain Lake 7
Milroy Irish vs. Worthington
Milroy Irish win series 2-0
Wednesday - Milroy Irish 9, Worthington 1
Friday - Milroy Irish 6, Worthington 1