In improbable fashion, Ely's American Legion baseball team got both a new lease on life and a heartbreaking defeat Sunday in Sacred Heart.
After Dilworth was disqualified from the Division II state tournament on Sunday morning, the scheduled third-place game between Ely and Stewartville instead became a one-game showdown for both a spot in the state finals and a regional tournament berth.
Post 248 survived that contest and won 7-5 and took a 3-2 lead into the bottom of the seventh inning in Sunday's state title game against Plato.
But needing just one more strike for its first state title, Ely instead had to settle for its second straight runner-up finish, as Adam Prehn deposited a 3-2 pitch over the left field fence and gave his team a 4-3 win.
A rollercoaster 24 hours for Post 248 ended with a devastating defeat, but Ely (29-9) still moves on to this week's Division II Central Plains Regional, which starts Thursday at Wahpeton, N.D. A first-round opponent and game time have yet to be determined.
Ely's fate seemed to be determined Saturday night, when Dilworth pulled out a 4-3 win and advanced to the title game. But the Ninth District champions were disqualified early Sunday, throwing the tournament in limbo.
Given a second chance to advance, Ely took advantage against Stewartville and ripped 11 hits. Ely had two-run innings in the third, fourth and fifth frames to take control and winning pitcher Trevor Bernsdorf kept the First District champs off balance.
Sean Fisher had a two-run single in the fourth and finished with three runs batted in, while Jory Johnson added two hits. Greg Helget's sacrifice fly gave Ely a 7-3 lead in the top of the seventh, and Post 248 needed the insurance.
Bernsdorf, who gave up six hits, tired in the seventh and Wes Snyder came on to record the save.
Ely moved right into the title game with Plato Sunday afternoon and took a 2-1 lead in the third on hits by Fisher, Trevor Bernsdorf and Nick Mathews. Plato tied it in the fourth, and the drama was just beginning.
Post 248 wasted a double by Snyder in the sixth and stranded him at third, but Fisher stroked a one-out double in the seventh. He moved to third on a groundout and scored the go-ahed run on a wild pitch, and Ely was three outs away from the title.
Teddy Peterson's leadoff single started the rally, but Riley Bernsdorf recorded two outs before Prehn stepped in. Plato's number-three hitter worked the count full, then delivered the walk-off blow.
Going the distance, Riley Bernsdorf, gave up eight hits and two earned runs.
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