The Park Rapids Blizzard 13-year-old Babe Ruth baseball team claimed runner-up honors in the District 5 playoffs to qualify for state.
Park Rapids, the No. 2 seed in the district tournament after going 10-4 during the regular season, received a bye before defeating New York Mills 8-1 at Park Rapids and Perham 10-3 at Perham to advance to the finals. In the championship game at Sebeka, Perham prevailed 3-2 as both teams advanced to state. Bertha-Hewitt/Verndale, Staples-Motley and Sebeka also competed in the district tournament.
The 13U State Babe Ruth Tournament will be held at New York Mills and Henning beginning with pool play on Thursday (July 15) and Friday (July 16). The single-elimination portion of the tournament starts on Saturday (July 17) and concludes on Sunday (July 18). There are 16 teams competing.
Park Rapids plays Fergus Falls on Thursday and Breckenridge and Waite Park on Friday in pool play with the top two teams from each of the four pools advancing to the single-elimination championship round.
Team members include Cooper Ackerman, Wrigley Clark, Mason Eckberg, Kaden Gartner, Owen Hase, Carter Hirt, Bradyn Hoffman, Alex Holmer, Gabe Hoogakker, Parker Hunter, Andrew Johanning, Brayden Price, Heath Safratowich, Kaden Shepherd and Jackson Soderberg. Travis Hunter is the coach.
