The Springfield Tigers emerged victorious in the Section 2A Baseball Championship game against New Ulm Cathedral, securing a spot in the Class A state tournament after a 10-2 win at ISG Field in Mankato on Thursday.
Jakob Nachreiner, the winning pitcher for the Tigers, credited his team for their support, saying, “I can’t do it by myself. The team behind me gives me the confidence to throw it anywhere I need to, and Jackson [Ludewig] behind the plate. I can just throw it hard wherever I need to and people are going to make plays behind me.”
Nachreiner, who was a freshman the last time the Tigers made it to the state tournament, has now taken on a leadership role as the team’s leadoff hitter and ace pitcher.
Cathedral head coach Alan Woitas praised Springfield’s performance, acknowledging their solid execution and defensive prowess. He also commended the pitching of Jakob and Kade Nachreiner, stating that Springfield is a strong contender for the state title.
Noah Neperman’s inside-the-park grand slam in the sixth inning sealed the victory for Springfield, with a final score of 10-2. Neperman emphasized the importance of staying calm in high-pressure situations and credited the team’s growth and cohesion for their success.
Springfield’s impressive offensive display, combined with Jakob Nachreiner’s dominant pitching performance, secured their ticket to the state tournament. The Tigers will now await their playoff seeding for the opening round of the Class A State Tournament, set to begin on June 13 at Joe Faber Field in St. Cloud.