ST. PAUL, Minn. – The No. 4 seeded Farmington Tigers opened the MSHSL Class AAAA state tournament with a convincing 8-2 win over No. 5 seeded Edina on Wednesday night at CHS Field. Due to rain delays that affected earlier quarterfinal matchups, first pitch was pushed back to 9:30 p.m., but Farmington wasted no time establishing control in the late-night showdown.

RECAP
Farmington erupted for five runs in the bottom of the first inning, setting the tone early. Marshall Gordon opened the scoring with an RBI single, Brodie Gibart followed by drawing a bases-loaded walk, and Ben Keppler capped the surge with a three-run single that gave the Tigers a commanding lead.

Gordon added to the Tigers' momentum in the second inning with a solo home run to left field, extending the lead to 6-0. That was more than enough support for starting pitcher Joe Baldus, who delivered six strong innings, allowing just two runs on five hits while striking out two.

Edina got on the board with a pair of runs but couldn't generate consistent offense against Farmington's pitching staff. Gibart closed out the game on the mound, working a scoreless seventh inning and recording two strikeouts.

TOP TIGERS

• Marshall Gordon went 2-for-2 with a home run and three RBIs.
• Ben Keppler drove in three runs on a single in the first and also recorded a team-high 14 defensive chances at first base.
• Joe Baldus earned the win, tossing six innings with two strikeouts and just one walk.
• Brodie Gibart contributed at the plate and on the mound, walking in a run and striking out two in a scoreless relief appearance.

UP NEXT
With the win, Farmington advances to the state semifinal where they will face No. 1 seeded Cretin-Derham Hall at 2:00 pm on June 12 back at CHS Field.

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