Elk River never cooled down after its walk-off victory in Thursday morning’s Class 3A quarterfinals. The Elks quickly began scoring runs in the semifinal and never stopped in a 9-3 victory over Forest Lake to secure a spot in Friday’s state championship game.

The Elks scored two runs in the first inning and forced Forest Lake pitcher Rachael Harrington out of the game with just one out recorded. Her replacement, Michelle LaCasse, didn’t have much more success. Elk River’s Michaela Bruns and Jayme Langbehn both homered off LaCassse.

Forest Lake scored once in the third and twice in the sixth behind a pair of hits from Taylor Shortly.

JASON GONZALEZ

Prior Lake consistently threatened and steadily collected enough offense to earn a spot in the Class 3A championship game. The Lakers defeated Maple Grove 5-3 in Thursday evening’s Class 3A semifinals at Caswell Park in North Mankato.

It’s the first trip to the title game for Prior Lake, where it will meet Elk River.

Kara Lattery drove in a pair of runs and helped the Lakers take an early 4-0 lead. Maple Grove scored three runs in the fourth before Sydney Smith hit into a double play with the bases loaded to end the threat.

Dee Wibbens got the win in the circle for Prior Lake.

JASON GONZALEZ

Justus Perry made defending champion Stillwater regret its decision to pitch to her. The Prior Lake freshman drove in two runs with a double in the top of the eighth inning to give the Lakers a 3-1 lead that would hold in Thursday morning's Class 3A quarterfinals at Caswell Park in North Mankato.

Stillwater pitcher Hannah  Heacox intentially walked Perry in her prior two at-bats. 

The teams played six scoreless innings before each scored one in the sixth. Kara Lattery's sacrifice fly gave Prior Lake a brief lead. Then Stillwater's Hayley Balzart homered to even it up.

Prior Lake advances to face Maple Grove in the semifinals.

JASON GONZALEZ

Jordan Mauch's line drive with two outs in the bottom of the seventh inning handed Maple Grove a 2-1 victory over Bloomington Jefferson in Thursday morning's Class 3A state quarterfinals at Caswell Park in North Mankato.

Abby Bunnell scored the game-winning run and had a pair of hits in the win. Sydney Smith scored the Crimson's first run in the first inning and gave up just two hits over seven innings in the circle.

Cassie Santiago doubled and drove in Jefferson's only run in the fourth inning.

Maple Grove advances to face Prior Lake in the semifinals.

JASON GONZALEZ

Elk River scored two runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to defeat Orono 2-1 in Thursday morning's Class 3A quarterfinal at Caswell Park in North Mankato.

Courtney Jensen beat out her infield hit with two outs and Jayme Langbehn scored the winning run. 

Kathi Opsahl tied the game with a solo home run to kick off the rally.

The Elks advance to play Forest Lake in the semifinals.

JASON GONZALEZ

Taylor Shortly provided all three of Forest Lake's three RBI as the Rangers held off Farmington 3-1 on Thursday morning at Caswell Park in North Mankato.

Shortly had a two-run single in the second inning and a solo home run in the fourth. 

Farmington's lone run was scored on a passed ball with bases loaded in the sixth inning, but nothing more came of the scoring opportunity.

Forest Lake advances to face Elk River.

JASON GONZALEZ