Esko baseball battled their way back into the Minnesota state tournament after defeating Duluth Marshall twice at Wade Stadium on Thursday night in Duluth.

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The Esko boys, having lost to Marshall earlier in the section tournament, forced a second game by winning the first 10-3 against the Hilltoppers.

“It’s kind of nervous when you’re a highly ranked team playing up against highly ranked teams and you’re out in the field for the first time,” said Sam Haugen, a junior on the team. “Some of the guys haven’t played varsity at all, and they stepped in and just played amazing. That’s what’s so great about this team.”

The team kept the momentum into the second game, closing out with a final score of 4-2.

“Just incredibly proud, I mean these guys have put in a lot of time, a lot of hard work, lot of sweat equity. So, I’m just really happy for our kids, just proud,” said Esko head coach Ben Haugen.

Esko will now return to the state tournament, giving them the chance to defend their 2023 state champion title.

“We have nothing to lose anymore, it’s just go and have fun, and it’s three more left so we’re going to give it everything we got to just win those,” said Finn Furcht, a senior on the team.

The tournament will begin Thursday, June 13 at the Dick Putz Field in St. Cloud. The semifinals will play on Friday June 14.

The State Class AA Baseball Championships will be held on Monday, June 17 at Target Field in Minneapolis.

To learn more about the tournament and brackets, visit MSHSL.com