Blackduck, Cass Lake-Bena fall in Section 8A baseball final four

Blackduck and Cass Lake-Bena both saw their seasons come to an end Tuesday as they lost in the semifinals of the Section 8A baseball tournament in Thief River Falls.

Blackduck, which was the top seed from the East Subsection, was eliminated 12-2 by Norman County, the second seed of the West.

CL-B, which was the East runner-up, dropped a 13-1 decision to Red Lake County, the West’s top seed.

The Drakes spotted Norman County a 5-0 lead in the top of the first inning and Norman County expanded the cushion to 10-0 two at-bats later.

Blackduck (19-5) scored single runs in the third and fourth frames to draw within 10-2 but Norman County ended things after five innings with a pair in the top of the fifth.

The Drakes had only four hits. Norman County collected 13, including four by Bill Atwood.

The Panthers didn’t fare any better as Red Lake County forged an 8-0 cushion after three innings and coasted the rest of the way.

Chad Wittner had two of CL-B’s four hits. Robbie Glass drilled two home runs for Red Lake County.

Norman County will face Red Lake County 4 p.m. Thursday for the 8A championship and a trip to the state tournament.

Section 8A Semifinals

Norman County 523 02 – 12 13 0

Blackduck 001 10 - 2 4 2

WP-Tanner Grunwald. LP-Cody Bergquist

Cass Lake-Bena 000 10 - 1 4 4

Red Lake County 152 5x – 13 13 0

WP-Dylan Zutz. LP-Chad Wittner