It may have taken eight innings to finish the job, but Kasson-Mantorville ultimately got the result they hoped for on Monday. They came out on top in a nail-biter against the Austin Packers, sneaking past 3-2. For those keeping track at home, that's the closest win the Komets have posted since May 2nd.
Sam Graunke
| 05/19/25 vs Austin | 3 |
| 05/09/25 @ Zumbrota-Mazeppa | 2 |
| 04/30/25 vs Goodhue | 2 |
| 05/16/25 vs Pine City | 1 |
| 05/10/25 @ Winona | 1 |
Sam Graunke was a major factor while hitting and pitching. He looked comfortable on the mound, striking out six batters over eight innings while giving up just one earned (and one unearned) run off four hits. He is becoming a predictor of Kasson-Mantorville's success: when he allows at most two earned runs the team is 3-1 (and 7-8 when he doesn't). Graunke was also big at the plate, going 3-for-4 with three stolen bases, two runs, and one double. Those three stolen bases gave him a new career-high.
Graunke wasn't the only one making solid contact as five players wound up with at least one hit. One of them was Brooks Irish, who went 2-for-4 with two stolen bases and one run. Irish has become a key player for Kasson-Mantorville: the team is 5-1 when he posts at least two stolen bases, but 5-8 otherwise.
Kasson-Mantorville's victory was their sixth straight at home, which pushed their record up to 10-9. Those home wins came thanks in part to their pitching effort, having only surrendered 2.3 runs on average over those games. As for Austin, they are on a four-game losing streak that has dropped them down to 6-12.
Both squads will have to hit the road in their upcoming games. Kasson-Mantorville will face off against Lakeville South at 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday. As for Austin, they will take on John Marshall at 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday.
Article generated by infoSentience based on data entered on MaxPreps
