Opening Sparks
The St. Paul Falcons and Woodland Hawks met in a highly anticipated Class S semifinal, with the Falcons emerging victorious by a 10-4 margin. The game opened with Woodland’s Charlie Napoleone delivering a triple in the top of the third that cleared the bases, giving the Hawks a 3-0 lead.
St. Paul answered quickly. Jay DeRosa’s own bases‑clearing triple in the same inning tied the contest at 3‑3, and Nicky Vlastos followed with a hit that put the Falcons ahead 4‑3.
Building Momentum
The Falcons extended their advantage in the bottom of the fourth, pulling the score to 8‑3. Relief pitcher Chace King entered in the top of the fifth and shut down Woodland’s offense, preserving the lead.
In the fifth, Keaton Kroll launched a home run, stretching the margin to 10‑3. The final run of the game came in the seventh inning, sealing the 10‑4 final score.
A Historic Rivalry
This matchup marked the fourth meeting between the two teams in a single season, the second year in a row they have faced off in the postseason. St. Paul holds a recent edge, having defeated Woodland in the last two NVL Tournament title games and twice in the Class S State Tournament.
With the win, the Falcons advance to the Class S championship game, scheduled for later this week at Palmer Field, where they will await their opponent.
Key Performances
Dom Napoletano earned his eighth win of the season, while King recorded his first save of the year. Offensively, DeRosa, Vlastos, and Kroll were instrumental in driving in runs, and Woodland’s Charlie Napoleone took the loss.
The Falcons’ upcoming championship promises a showdown against an as‑yet‑undetermined rival, but the team’s recent form suggests they enter the final with confidence and momentum.