Warriors win district title on final swing

By MATT KING
Daily Journal Sports Writer

STE. GENEVIEVE — Sophomore standout Nathan Geile delivered a clutch two-run single in the bottom of the seventh inning, and the Valle Warriors rallied for a dramatic 4-3 victory over Saxony Lutheran in the finals of the Class 1, District 3 tournament on Friday at Yanks Field.

A surprising intentional walk loaded the bases for Geile with one out, and the Warriors’ top extra-base hitter coaxed a full count. Crusaders reliever Chris Roth was forced to throw a strike, and Geile ripped the pitch back through the middle, allowing both Cole Bieser and Michael Greminger to score.

Freshman pinch-hitter Luke Uding opened the seventh with a critical bunt single, and Greminger drilled a double off the left-field wall, placing the two decisive runners in scoring position.

Geile finished 2-for-3 with a pair of stolen bases, and Greminger went 2-for-4 to lead the Warriors. Geile (9-1) was also the winning pitcher, allowing just three hits while striking out 12 batters in the complete-game performance.

The thrilling ending marked the second straight walk-off win for the Warriors, who escaped a semifinal tussle with conference rival Valley on Tuesday when infielder Jason Blum circled the bases on a misplayed hit.

Valle (20-5) will travel to Winona (16-2) on Monday for a rematch of last year’s state sectional matchup. Winona clipped Naylor, 13-12 on Friday for the District 4 championship.

Saxony (16-6) managed just two base runners over the first four innings, as Geile racked up seven strikeouts over a span of eight batters, but capitalized on three walks in a pivotal fifth frame.

Spencer Sander singled after Brett Steffens drew a free pass, but two subsequent strikeouts appeared to stall the threat. Chad Bachmann drew a key walk from the No. 9 spot in the order, and Roth blasted a three-run double into the left-field corner, giving the Crusaders a sudden 3-2 lead.

Valle stranded two runners in the fifth and sixth frames before breaking through on its final scoring chance. Saxony starter Garrett Fritsche yielded two runs and fanned four through 4 2/3 innings of work, but did not factor in the decision.

The Warriors erased a pair of lead-off runners with strong defensive plays. Catcher Aaron Basler caught a man stealing in the second inning, and first baseman Ryan Roth turned a double play in the seventh after diving to catch an elevated bunt.

Zach Weiler put Valle ahead with a two-out RBI single in the bottom of the second. Blum followed a Basler single with a long RBI double in the fourth for a 2-0 advantage.

Steffens finished 1-for-1 and reached base three times for the Crusaders, who committed no defensive errors.

Saxony Lutheran  000 030 0 - 3  3  0

Valle Catholic  010 100 2 - 4  8  1

WP - Geile 7i 3r 3h 12k 3bb 2hb.

LP - Roth 1 2/3i 2r 4h 2k 2bb.

Hitting:

Saxony - Bre Steffens 1-1, Sander 1-3, Roth 1-4. 2b - Roth.

Valle - Geile 2-3, Greminger 2-4, Uding 1-1, Weiler 1-2, Basler 1-2, Blum 1-3. 2b - Blum, Greminger.