Papio South Walks Off Grand Island, 3-2. Islanders Still Qualify For State
(Papillion, NE) - Grand Island fell to Papillion-LaVista South 3-2 on Saturday in the Class A District 6 championship on the final play of the game. The game was tied at two in the bottom of the seventh when an error scored one run.
The pitching was strong on both sides. Papillion-LaVista South pitchers struck out six, while Grand Island sat down two.
Grand Island were the first to get on the board in the first when Gabe Ruiz hit a sacrifice fly, scoring one run.
Papillion-LaVista South took the lead in the bottom of the fourth inning after Sam Dolphens grounded out, and Caden Circo singled down the left field line, each scoring one run.
Carson Washburn singled down the right field line on the sixth pitch of the at-bat, which helped Grand Island tie the game at two in the top of the seventh.
Griffin Minderman earned the win for Papillion-LaVista South. The righty allowed three hits and one run over one inning, striking out none and walking none. Ruiz took the loss for Grand Island. The pitcher went one-third of an inning, surrendering one run (zero earned) on zero hits, striking out one and walking one. Miles Nelson stepped on the hill first for Grand Island. The pitcher allowed four hits and two runs (zero earned) over six innings, striking out one and walking one. Matthew Gorman started the game for Papillion-LaVista South. The hurler allowed five hits and one run over six innings, striking out six and walking none.
Ethan Mader and Sam Schroeder each collected two hits for Grand Island. Washburn and Ruiz each drove in one run for Grand Island.
Gorman, Circo, Minderman, and Cordell Clinkingbeard each collected one hit for Papillion-LaVista South. Dolphens and Circo were a one-two punch in the lineup, as each drove in one run for Papillion-LaVista South.
Even with the loss, Grand Island was able to have enough points to enter the Class A State baseball tournament field with a wildcard. The Islanders (19-9) receive the 7 seed and will take on 2 seed Lincoln East (29-2) on Friday, May 15th at 9:00 AM. Listen live on KRGI 1430/105.5 & krgi.com.
State Tournament Bracket - HERE