Maple Grove's Bauer One-Hits Blaine In Baseball Playoff Opener

starting pitcher Mitchell Bauer gave up a hit to the first batter he saw as the Crimson opened the Section 5AAA baseball playoffs on Saturday afternoon—then proceeded to retire the next 21 Blaine hitters in order in a 6-0 victory at Wintercrest Park in Coon Rapids.

The junior hurler dominated the Bengals, striking out 11 batters as top-ranked and seeded Maple Grove remained unbeaten on the season (20-0) and advanced to the winner's bracket semifinals and earned a trip to Midway Stadium in St. Paul.

Offensively, the Crimson scored single runs in the first, second and third innings, before blowing the game open with a three-run fourth frame that brought the score to its eventual final count.

Maple Grove will play either Totino-Grace or Centennial in the next round on Wednesday, June 1 at 8 p.m.