Class C State Tournament: A Battle of the Bases
The Litchfield Blues and Granite Falls met Thursday night in a much‑anticipated Class C state amateur baseball tournament contest, each hoping to advance to the next round with momentum.
Granite Falls drew first blood in the top of the fourth, when Brody Dack’s run scored on an infield error, putting the opposition ahead early and testing the Blues’ composure.
Boerema’s Masterclass on the Mound
Left‑hander Owen Boerema answered the call, delivering a 16‑strikeout performance that left the Granite Falls lineup flailing. His control was evident as he walked just four batters while surrendering four hits, allowing only unearned runs to slip through.
The Blues’ offense finally clicked in the bottom of the fourth, as Avery Liestman’s two‑out RBI single drove in Winky Estrada, tying the game and shifting the pressure back onto Granite Falls.
A Seventh‑Inning Surge
Litchfield pulled away with a three‑run seventh inning that featured clutch hits from Jack Ramthun and Tony Baumann, turning a tight contest into a comfortable lead.
The final score read 4‑1 in favor of the Blues, a result that underscored both Boerema’s dominance and the team’s ability to execute under pressure.
Looking ahead, Litchfield will meet the Windom Pirates at 7:30 p.m. Friday, while Granite Falls, making their first state appearance since 2007, will regroup for future competition.