Red Wing, MN

The Winona VFW Buddies are heading back to state for the first time in 22 years after winning the First District title Sunday in Red Wing, MN.

The Buddies defeated Northfield 10-5 in comeback fashion to advance to the state tournament in Bemidji, MN August 11-14.

The Buddies trailed 4-0 going into the bottom of the second before scoring 3 runs on two outs. With runners on 1st and 2nd, Josh Duellman singled in Hunter Kruse and Drew Thompson advanced to third and Duellman to second on the throw home. After a wild pitch scored Thompson and advanced Duellman to third, Skyler Marks beat out an infield single to score Duellman and cut the deficit to 1.

"Josh really came through for us when we needed something positive to get us going," Buddies' Assistant Coach Matt Cada said. "He's been a real spark plug at the bottom of our order and that at bat was big."

Northfield tacked on one run in the third and the Buddies responded with 2 of their own in the bottom of the fourth to tie the game at 5.

In the bottom of the fifth, Winona broke the game open with three runs highlighted by a two run double from Thompson.

"Drew's at bat changed the game for good," Buddies Head Coach Matt O'Brien said. "You could tell that just took all the wind out of their sails, and capped off a phenomenal weekend at the plate for him."

That's when Owen Burnikel took over. Burnikel who was touched for five runs through 3 innings, kept Northfield scoreless and allowed only 1 runner to reach base in the final four innings of the game.

"Owen does a tremendous job staying composed on the mound in tough situations," O'Brien said. "Once we took the lead, I knew he would be in complete control of the game, and he was."

The win advances the Buddies to the state tournament for the first time in 22 years and is something they will never forget.

"Every year we talk about getting to state and how hard it is to get there," O'Brien said. "Words can't express how much this means to the players, coaches, and families of the Buddies, we're excited to go to state and enjoy the ride."

The Buddies open the state tournament at 9:00 a.m. Thursday at Bemidji State's baseball field, in the double elimination tournament.

Box Score vs Northfield