Cardinals Pull Off Upset Against Top Seed in Area Baseball Tournament – Brainerd Dispatch

In a thrilling Section 6-2A winner’s bracket matchup, the No. 8-seeded Staples-Motley Cardinals pulled off a major upset against the No. 1-seeded Holdingford Huskies. Pitcher Colbe Tappe was the hero of the game, allowing just three hits and striking out the tying run in the top of the seventh inning to secure a 2-1 victory for the Cardinals.

The game was a tense affair, with the Cardinals taking the lead in the bottom of the sixth inning. Tappe played a crucial role in the offense as well, walking and then scoring on a hit-and-run play by Alex Schultz. The Cardinals had earlier scored in the first inning on a base hit by Kris Taylor that brought in Jack Carlson.

Despite the Huskies loading the bases in the top of the seventh inning, Tappe remained composed and struck out the final batter to seal the win for Staples-Motley. The victory improved the Cardinals’ overall record to 15-7 and set up a showdown with Albany in the next round of the winner’s bracket.

In another Section 6-2A matchup, the No. 3-seeded Pierz Pioneers also emerged victorious, defeating the No. 6-seeded St. Cloud Cathedral Crusaders 2-0. Pitchers Brayden Haberman and Max Barclay combined for a four-hit shutout, with Haberman going five innings and Barclay pitching two perfect innings of relief to secure the win. Pierz’s next challenge will be against Foley in the winner’s bracket.