MITCHELL, S.D. – The Flandreau Cardinals advanced to Sunday’s championship game with a 5-1 win over Dimock-Emery in the first semifinal on Saturday night at Cadwell Park.
Flandreau (16-10) would score two runs in the third inning and two more in the fourth. It was the bottom of the order that did the damage for the Cardinals as seventh place hitter Bret Severtson and eighth place hitter Drew Demers had back-to-back doubles in the third and back-to-back singles in the fourth to spark the offense.
Dimock-Emery (14-11) would threatening in the fifth inning with the bases loaded and one out before Phil Johnson grounded into an inning ending double play. Johnson would finish 0-for-4 in the cleanup spot.
The Raptors would score their only run in the seventh when Luke Bamberg hit a two-out double down the right field line to score Sam Pischke from second.
Jason Schmidt went all nine innings for Dimock-Emery, allowing five runs on 11 hits with six strikeouts.
Drew Weber got the win for Flandreau, throwing 7 1/3 innings, allowing just one run on six hits.
Severtson would come from right field to record the final five outs on 15 pitches.
Flandreau, winners of seven straight, advances to the state championship game where they will play the Dell Rapids Mudcats at 2:30 pm Sunday.