Madelia turned that into a seven-run two-out rally, going on to win 9-2 to take the victory and move on to the Class A State Championship game.

“All the support and all the extra work we put in, I think we 100 percent deserve to be here,” Madelia’s Zach Jacobs said. “All the support, just everything, it’s helped us in the long run. We’re very appreciative of the coaches and the fans, just everyone.”

This will be Madelia’s first-ever state championship game, not only in baseball, but in any sport.

“It’s just a testament to all the hard work that we put in,” Zaleski said. “We keep trusting ourselves and keep trusting each other and believe that we can do it. That’s the only thing that we got. We’ve just got to keep working and keep grinding and believe that we can.”

Staff photo by Ari Selvey Madelia's Bryce Borkenhagen (7) celebrates with Evan Coil (32) during a Class A State Baseball Tournament semifinals game against Murray County Central Friday at Joe Faber Field.

Madelia head coach Jimmy Kiefer has been to this level before as an assistant coach for Mankato West in 2023, but this trip has extra significance to him.

“It’s been one of the most fulfilling experiences of my life,” he said. “Same group of boys we’ve been rolling with for three years now, built a really strong bond with them. One of the happiest moments of my life. It’s really fun.”

Jacobs was the winning pitcher for Madelia, striking out two and allowing two runs on three hits in 5 2/3 innings pitched.

“This is the most special moment in my whole career,” Jacobs said. “I love my teammates, my coaches, the fans were great the last two days. All the support, it means the world to me and everyone else.”

Jacobs also started his final batter faced with less than 75 pitches, meaning he and the rest of the Madelia pitchers will all be available for Monday’s championship game.

Staff photo by Ari Selvey The Madelia crowd cheers on their team during a Class A State Baseball Tournament semifinals game against Murray County Central Friday at Joe Faber Field.

At the plate for the Blackhawks, Bryce Borkenhagen was 2 for 4 with two RBIs and two runs scored, while Tate Becker was 2 for 4 with two RBIs and a run scored. Zaleski had a triple with two RBIs and two runs scored, and Noel Davila had a hit, an RBI and a run scored.

Madelia opened the scoring in the second inning, with Brayden Grev bunting in Borkenhagen for a 1-0 lead. MCC responded with an RBI single by Teague Meyer in the third inning to tie the game. Madelia broke the tie in the bottom of the third, with Borkenhagen grounding into a fielder’s choice at third, but beating the throw to first to allow Zaleski to score a run.

Zaleski’s two-RBI triple in the fourth inning got the bats rolling for Madelia.

“Just keep it simple,” Zaleski said. “Get it to the outfield, look for my pitch. I saw fastball, so I had to get after it. Don’t miss the cookie, that’s what I was thinking.”

That hit was followed by a single by Davila to bring Zaleski home. Borkenhagen singled to make it a 6-1 game, then Becker added an RBI single of his own. Finally, a popup put into play by Miah Garza got lost in the sun by the MCC defense, bringing home Becker to round out the rally.

Staff photo by Ari Selvey Madelia's Tony Zaleski celebrates after hitting a triple during a Class A State Baseball Tournament semifinals game against Murray County Central Friday at Joe Faber Field.

“The guys stayed in our game plan,” Kiefer said. “Not getting too emotionally high or low. Executing in the situations that we need to execute on.”

Evan Coil came into the game to pitch the final out of the sixth inning, where Becker threw out an MCC runner trying to stretch an RBI double into a triple. The run scored, however, making it a 9-2 game, but Coil and the Madelia defense held strong in the seventh, with Coil earning a strikeout to end the game.

“The boys played great, defense is something we take pride in,” Kiefer said. “Evan Coil did a good job of unexpectedly coming into a situation and doing what he needed to do. Really proud of all of them.”

Madelia will now face last year’s state champion in second-seeded Red Lake County Monday at Target Field. The game will begin at 10 a.m.

“Our boys love to rise to the occasion,” Kiefer said. “I expect them to compete at the highest level just like they have all year long.”

Jacobs acknowledged that RLC will be tough, but Madelia has had what it takes to get things done all season.

“I know they’re a great team, I think it’s going to be a great game,” he said. “I have trust in our pitcher Tate and in our defense, and I think we can pull through with our hitting.”