Redhawks Open State Tournament With a Win (VIDEO)

The Rochester Redhawks opened the American Legion State Tournament with a 7-5 win over the second seeded Tri-City Reds Friday afternoon at Red Haddox Field in Bloomington.

Zach Robertson sparked the Redhawks offensive with a three home-run in the third inning and Rochester took adnvantage of some Tri-City errors in the 8th to extend the lead to 7-2. The Reds made it interesting by scoring three runs in the top of the 9th before Rochester shut them down and won the game.  Douglas Jackson was the winning pitcher with 9 strikeouts and 2 walks in 8 innings of work.

Game two did not go as well.  The Redhawks started the game with a Brad Mathiowetz solo home-run in first inning, but top-seeded Excelsior benefited from plentiful walks and four hit batters to establish a big lead and maintain it for a 14-7 win.

The Redhawks will next face Alexandria in an elimination game Saturday morning at 11 at Eagan High School.