Led by pitcher Taylor Burmeister (7), Forest Lake celebrates its Class 3A semifinal win over North St. Paul. /Brian Stensaas, Star Tribune
Don't tell Forest Lake it doesn't belong.
Despite carrying Class 3A-most six losses into the state tournament, the Rangers backed up a quarterfinal win over previously undefeated Totino-Grace on Thursday afternoon with a 3-1 victory over North St. Paul in the semifinals.
Forest Lake scored all three runs in the top of the third inning. Andrea Mogren led off with a single and scored on an RBI groundout by Shannon Nelson. Kailey Hanson and Taylor Burmeister also picked up RBI hits in the inning.
Burmeister scattered four hits and struck out just three. She tipped her cap to the Rangers defense.
Forest Lake on Friday will play in its third championship game. The Rangers lost in 1995 and 2000.