Journal Sports Writer

ST. JAMES — In the bottom of the 13th inning of the American Legion Division II Southwest Sub-State Championship game, Sleepy Eye Post 7’s Caden Evers hit a single into left field that brought home Jon Petermann, walking off Windom 2-1 Saturday at Veterans Park.

With the win, Sleepy Eye advances to the DII American Legion State Baseball Tournament in Roseau, beginning on Friday.

“I don’t think I’ve had many walk-offs at all,” Evers said. “It was cool to experience that, and just always be ready for the moment.”

Staff photo by Ari Selvey Sleepy Eye Post 7's Caden Evers throws out a batter during the American Legion Division II Southwest Sub-State Championship against Windom Saturday at Veterans Park in St. James.

Evers had a chance in the 11th inning with the bases loaded to end the game, but flew out to right field, ending the inning. Evers was glad he had another chance to redeem himself in his next at bat.

“Left the bases loaded,” Evers said. “That was huge. Sucked. I was trying to go up and do too much. Just went up, simple approach, hit the ball hard somewhere.”

Winsten Nienhaus earned the win for Sleepy Eye, getting one strikeout while allowing two hits and no earned runs in 4 1/3 innings pitched. Nick Mielke started the game, getting seven strikeouts while allowing one earned run on four hits in 7 2/3 innings pitched.

Sleepy Eye head coach Zach Haala was impressed with both of his pitchers’ performances in the game.

“Our pitchers today, Nick and Winsten, came out and they absolutely went out on the mound and just competed today,” Haala said. “Both of them went out there, went after their hitters, kept them off-balance, threw strikes, and kept us in this game. That’s huge. To go 13 innings and give up one run, that’s a pretty impressive feat for those guys.

At the plate for Sleepy Eye, Evers was 3 for 6 with an RBI, while Petermann was 2 for 5 with an RBI and a run scored. Mark Anderson added a hit, a run scored and an RBI in the game.

Evers, the team’s catcher, also had an excellent defensive game, throwing out five of seven Windom runners going to second.

“It’s big,” Evers said. “Keeping runners off base is the main thing. Getting in the dugout, getting outs is ideal. Noting having to be out there, leaving outs on the field.”

Haala complimented his catcher’s defensive efforts also.

“That was awesome,” Haala said. “Evers came ready to go. They had some fast runners, things they can usually steal upon, and Evers kept them in check today. It was huge for us, gave us energy, and honestly kept us in this game too. They get a couple runners to second base off those steals, this could be a different ballgame.”

Sleepy Eye defeated Windom 8-1 earlier in the tournament.

Windom got one runner to second in the first inning Saturday, but neither team got a runner in scoring position again until the seventh, when Sleepy Eye’s Talan Helget reached second but was thrown out.

The game went into extra innings, and Windom managed to score a runner in the top of the eighth. With the pressure on, Anderson drew a walk, was moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Caleb Wait, then brought home on a single by Petermann to tie the game up.

After four more scoreless innings, Petermann singled to lead off the 13th inning, was bunted to second by Austin Uecker, then was brought home by Evers’ game-winner.