JORDAN — Carson Hart’s bases-loaded walk in the bottom of the eighth inning pushed Mankato East past Northfield 4-3 in the consolation semifinals of the Class AAA baseball tournament Friday.
The Cougars took the lead in the bottom of the third inning on Caden Hansen’s two-out, two-run single, but Northfield tied the game in the fifth.
Austin Hendley’s sacrifice fly put East ahead again in the sixth. Northfield scored the tying run in the seventh before reliever Nicholas Werk came on to get the final out.
After Werk retired three straight in the top of the eighth, the Cougars plated the winning run. Jack Hansen, who had two hits, reached on an error, and Nathan Bridger and Caeden Willaert were walked to load the bases.
Jack Hansen tried to score on a wild pitch but was out at the plate so Hendley was walked to reload the bases. Hart then drew another walk to end the game.
The Cougars (21-6) were scheduled to play the third-place game later Friday.
Follow Chad Courrier on X @ChadCourrier.