Rebels Close Season with Second‑Place Finish
The Red Lake County Rebels concluded their season as the runners‑up in the Class A state baseball tournament, falling to Madelia in the championship game after a hard‑fought battle.
Their path to the final included a decisive semifinal victory over South Ridge, where timely hitting and solid pitching turned the tide.
South Ridge, despite finishing fourth overall, was anchored by senior Benjamin Pretasky, who drove in three runs and provided a steady presence at the plate.
Teammates Will Gieseke and Ben Gullingsrud were recognized on the all‑tournament team, earning the distinction for the second year in a row and highlighting their sustained excellence.
Grand Rapids and Aitkin’s Tournament Journeys
Grand Rapids, competing in its sixth consecutive state tournament, opened with a narrow loss to Mahtomedi before securing a consolation runner‑up spot in Class 3A.
Aitkin’s run ended early, as the team fell in the first two rounds of the Class 2A bracket, concluding a brief but challenging appearance.