“I’ve been a little shaky the last few games, not throwing as many strikes as I do,” Becker said. “Today I was like, ‘Just be grateful that you’re playing.’ I was overthinking everything. I just calmed down. That was my mindset.”

Becker allowed just one walk and one more baserunner on an error in his seven innings of work.

“I was just finding the zone,” Becker said. “Curveball was finding the zone well, fastball was, I didn’t really leave anything right over the middle. Just all around. Tough to hit anything that’s not right down the middle, so I was working.”

Becker’s play on the mound has been a big reason for why Madelia was awarded the top seed in the tournament, but he was able to elevate his play even further in the semifinals.

Staff photo by Ari Selvey Sleepy Eye's Carson Uecker throws to first during the Section 2A Baseball Tournament semifinals Saturday at Sleepy Eye Ballpark.

“He’s definitely got a bunch of help behind him, which makes it even easier to do his job, but Tate is a tremendous kid,” Madelia head coach Jimmy Kiefer said. “He’s an awesome leader. He’s just that kind of guy where he has a superior competitive edge to him. He’s a pleasure to coach.”

With the win, Madelia improves to 25-2 and advances to play in the section championship game on Thursday at Sleepy Eye Ballpark.

“We think this is the hump that we haven’t gotten over yet,” Becker said. “Two years ago, Springfield, 2-1 loss. That sticks with you in this game. Job’s not finished yet, but we’re one step closer.”

At the plate for the Blackhawks, Bryce Borkenhagen was 2 for 3 with two RBIs, while Becker had a hit, an RBI and a run scored. Evan Coil added a hit and a run scored.

Kayden Klein took the loss for Sleepy Eye, striking out five and allowing three runs on six hits in six innings. Chase Zufall drew a walk, and Brayden Heiderschiedt reached on a single.

Becker retired the first five Sleepy Eye batters by strikeout, and Madelia loaded up the bases with no outs in the bottom of the second. However, a fielder’s choice from third baseman Eric Lozano to home and a 6-4-3 double play got the Indians out of the inning without a run scored. Becker continued to get his strikeouts, earning three more in the third, and when the Blackhawks got baserunners on in the bottom of the inning, this time they capitalized, with Becker singling to drive home Tony Zaleski and Borkenhagen doubling to score Coil and Becker for a 3-0 lead.

Sleepy Eye had its best chance to score in the sixth inning, as Zufall and Heiderscheidt reached base in back-to-back at-bats. A sacrifice bunt by Anden Braun put runners on second and third, but Becker ended the threat with a pair of strikeouts. Neither team allowed another baserunner for the remainder of the game as Madelia secured the win.

“They’re really excited,” Kiefer said. “They’re high school boys, taking it one day at a time. They’re great at living in the moment.”

Sleepy Eye (20-5) falls to the elimination bracket and will play again Tuesday at Sleepy Eye Ballpark.