By Nathan Cooper, Tribune Spots Writer

ST. PETER &045; It was a tall task to take down the high-flying Kasson-Mantorville KoMets twice in the section championship, but after a 14-4 win against NRHEG, United South Central had plenty of momentum.

The Rebel used that momentum, but it wasn’t enough to force K-M to a decisive game two in the double-elimination Section 2 Class AA tournament.

Kenny Sandt started on the mound and pitched four sparkling innings against an offense known to put up numbers. He walked none and hit two, allowed six hits and two earned runs.

The Rebels got their first run in the second on a hit by Shea Kaiser after a Kurt Pitcher sacrifice bunt.

In the fifth, USC got another as Adam Schrader crossed the plate after a Brandon Haugh double.

After four innings, Schrader entered on the mound. The senior ace went pitched four solid innings, but the KoMets got to him in the ninth.

The leadoff batter singled and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt. Two more singles sent Kasson-Mantorville to state.

Schrader was 2-for-4, leading the offense. Haugh was 1-for-2 with an RBI and two walks. Kaiser, Derek Schmidt, and Kurt Pitcher each singled.

&uot;It was a great game,&uot; said coach Thomas Williams. &uot;It was what the championship is supposed to be like, two teams duking it out.&uot;

Williams also knows the quality of baseball that the KoMets play, which is apparent it K-M’s 23-2 record and No. 5 ranking in the state polls.

&uot;We ran into a real good team,&uot; commented Williams. &uot;They were fresh, and our arms were a little tired.&uot;

It’s understandable, considering the Rebels were forced to come through the loser’s bracket.

&uot;Kenny threw four great innings, and that’s what we were looking for,&uot; said Williams.

Williams also commented on a great season. &uot;I am proud of the season that the guys had, putting together 20 wins.&uot;

The Rebels finished with a 20-7 mark on the season, and a 10-3 Gopher Conference record, which was good enough for the South Division title.

(Contact Nathan Cooper at tribsports@albertleatribune.com or 379-3437.)