Grand Rapids baseball wins two to top Denfeld and earn program’s 22nd state berth
The No. 1 Grand Rapids baseball team would need two wins over No. 3 Duluth Denfeld Wednesday in order to punch their fourth straight ticket to state, and they would get them.
The Thunderhawks shut out the Hunters 10-0 in game one held at Rock Ridge High School, then took game two 2-0 after a lengthy rain delay.
Despite being the number one seed, Grand Rapids fell to Denfeld 4-2 in the semifinals Saturday, knocking them into the elimination bracket. The Thunderhawks then beat Hermantown 10-0 to win the elimination final and earn their way back into the championship games. For the full Section 7AAA bracket, Click Here.
Grand Rapids now earns their 22nd state tournament berth in program history, making them Minnesota’s leader in state tournament appearances. They were tied with New Ulm who has 21.
The Class AAA 2024 state tournament is June 13-14 at the Chaska Athletic Park, with the championship June 17 at Target Field.
Grand Rapids baseball state tournament history: 1958, 1974, 1977, 1978 AA Champion, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984 AA Champion, 1987, 1988 AA Runner-up, 1990, 1996, 2005 AAA Runner-up, 2008, 2012, 2018, 2021 AAA Runner-up, 2022, 2023, 2024.