The Muskies entered the second round of Region 3C action as the #1 seed. The second round of Regions is a six-team, double elimination tournament, with the top four teams earning bids to State. Yesterday, the Fish had a chance to punch a ticket to the big dance for the second year in a row, but they came up short against Faribault in something of a heartbreaker. It was a well played game on both sides; great crowd, great atmosphere, intense baseball. Here's how it all shook out.

Derek Bergstrom took the hill for the home team, squaring off against the Lakers righty Evan Knutson. The Lakers looked like they were going to get off to a good start, as Faribault lead-off hitter Blake Langerud started the game off with a double to the right center field gap on a 1-2 pitch. But when the next hitter attempt a sac bunt, New Market's lanky lefty made a spectaculor diving catch, and would proceed to get the next two hitters in order.

New Market's lead-off hitter matched Faribault, sending a liner down the left field line for a double. Scotty Lyden laid down a beautiful sac bunt, moving Stewart to third, and he would come in to score a few pitches later on a past ball. 1-0 in favor of the Fish after one inning. 

The Muskies had to wiggle out of another jam in the second after three walks. But Bergstrom proved up to the task again, inducing a pop up to the second basemen and striking out two hitters, leaving the bases juiced for the Lakers and preventing them from scoring a run.

Harry Ballantyne led of the bottom of the second with a single, he stole second, and after the next two hitters were retired, he came around to score on a two out single from the lead off hitter. Stewart was then thrown out trying to steal second, and that ended the inning. 2-0 Muskies after two.

And that would be our score until the top of the 7th.

The Lakers led off the inning with a single from Jake Stocker. Kyle Murphy tried to lay down a sac bunt, which he did, but then an errant throw to second base made everyone safe. The nine hitter, Adam Kline, did lay down a sac bunt, and then the lead-of hitter (Langerud) doubled into the gap once again to bring the Lakers within one. The next hitter (Adam Jensen) put a little seeing eye single through the right side of the infield to tie the game. Then, with one on, Joe Grote hit a two run bomb to dead center to give the Lakers the lead 4-2. 

Faribault brought in their big righty Matt Lane in the 8th to close the game. New Market battled back in each inning, but they were unable to pull it out in the end, leaving the bases loaded in the 8th and two men on in the 9th. 

With this loss, the Muskies are now in a win-or-go-home situation. New Market will play Union Hill on Tuesday night, the winner will go to State and the loser will make a tee time. The winner will also play on Friday night for seeding purposes. Check out the full Region 3C bracket here. Seeya tomorrow night in UH!