ESSIG — Sleepy Eye defeated Mankato American 7-2 in an Upper Midwest Classic baseball game on Saturday.

With the win, Sleepy Eye advances to play New Ulm Junior Legion at 9 a.m. on Saturday in the semifinals round.

Derek Wales earned the win for Sleepy Eye, striking out 13 and allowing two unearned runs on 10 hits in a complete game. At the plate, Merrick Mathiowetz was 3 for 4 with two runs scored, while Jaxon Saenz had three hits. Landry Folkens added two hits and two RBIs.