Heading into the fourth inning of Friday’s matinee matchup, Delano had a 12-inning scoreless streak that spanned parts of three games. So, when the Tigers loaded the bases in the bottom of the fourth, they were willing to try any way possible to score.

With one out, Delano senior left fielder Claudia Schuler put down a bunt. Senior catcher Abby Thomas beat the Waconia throw to the plate and the Tigers were on the board. With the bases loaded once again, Delano executed another bunt single to grab a 2-1 lead.

The Tigers finished the inning with a 3-1 lead. Those runs proved to be the difference as Delano wrapped up the regular season with its second win over the Wildcats in 2018 as the Tigers prevailed 3-1 at Delano High School.

Heading into Friday’s game, Delano (13-4, 8-3) had faltered after winning eight consecutive games from May 5 to May 12. However, the Tigers had lost their first two games of the week, falling to Orono 3-1 on Tuesday and 4-0 to New Prague on Thursday.

“Prior to this week, we had been hitting the ball all over the place,” said Delano coach Jim VanCura. “We needed to get back into a rhythm and do whatever we could to get back to what we were doing earlier this season.”

To make matters worse for the Tigers, who are ranked No. 10 in the Class 3A coaches’ poll, Delano was tasked with facing Wildcats senior pitcher Alli Christians, an all-conference player a year ago. In the teams’ first game on May 3, the Tigers scored just one run but came away with a 1-0 win.

This time, however, Delano learned early it would need more than one run to defeat Waconia (10-6, 6-4). The Wildcats struck early when Christians looped a RBI double into right field that scored leadoff hitter Savannah Drey.

After the first inning, however, No. 6-3A Waconia couldn’t plate any more runners thanks to senior pitcher Lauren York, who picked up the win in a complete game effort. Though she allowed at least one Wildcat to reach base each inning, York kept Waconia from scoring in the game’s final six innings thanks in part to her nine strikeouts.

“I just did a good job of moving the ball around,” York said. “I wanted to put the pressure on them, not my team.”

Aside from her work in the circle, York was key at the plate. She walked in all three of her plate appearances, including in the fourth inning to load the bases.

With York at first, VanCura decided to call for a bunt. He said it was the first time his team has done that all season.

“They have a really good pitcher and we weren’t making good contact,” VanCura said. “I knew we had good senior baserunners on that would make good plays.”

VanCura was proven correct when Schuler’s bunt tied the game at one. He said after the game he didn’t hesitate to try the bunt play again, which worked the second time as well. York scored the third run of the inning when she came home on a walk. Though Delano had just one hit in its three-run fourth inning, it’s something that the Tigers are fine with.

“I don’t care if it’s a bunt or a ball over the fence, it’s whatever it takes,” VanCura said. “Small ball always wins.”

This was the final conference game for both teams this season and both of these Wright County Conference East Division foes will finish behind No. 5-4A New Prague.

In the past, there would’ve been a chance for Delano and Waconia to meet again in the Class 3A, Section 6 tournament. However, the Wildcats were moved to Class 3A, Section 2 prior to this season, meaning Waconia will be paired with No. 1-3A Faribault, No. 3-3A Mankato West and No. 7-3A Mankato East.

The Tigers, meanwhile, remain in Section 6 and will face stiff competition in the form of No. 5-3A Hill-Murray. And after Waconia helped end Delano’s season in the 2017 section tournament (the Tigers also lost to Orono, which is the game they were eliminated in), the Tigers seem fine with not seeing the Wildcats again this season.

“I’m glad they’re not there,” York said. “One less battle to take on.”