Sean Williams/MDN Jett Lundeen (12) of the Bishop Ryan Lions delivers a pitch during the 2023 NDHSAA Class B Baseball State Tournament on Thursday afternoon.

Presented with a wonderful opportunity to not only show off their home facilities, but also have the opportunity to play at them during the 2023 NDHSAA Class B Baseball State Tournament were the Bishop Ryan Lions, as they met with the No.1-seeded Thompson Tommies on Thursday.

Making their way back to the state tournament for the first time since 2019, the Lions were ready to roar. Standing in their way, however, were the defending state champs in Thompson, as they presented the Lions with a big test to open state tournament play.

After taking an early lead, the Tommies cruised the rest of the way and were able to advance to the state semifinals with an 11-1 win over the Lions.

Thompson got off to a fast start, scoring a total of three runs in the first two innings, however, Bishop Ryan starting pitcher Jett Lundeen did a good job of keeping the damage to a minimum early on.

A double by Reece Berberich gave Thompson a good opportunity to get on the board in the first, to which they cashed in. An RBI single by William Welke got the Tommies going, as they took a 1-0 lead into the second inning.

Consecutive singles by Braden Tyce and Berberich gave Brayden Wolfgram a chance to extend the Tommies’ lead, which he did on a two-run single to make it a 3-0 game. The Lions looked to counter in the next inning, with singles from Macksen Shean, Carson Merck, and Bennet Warren, but their efforts came up short.

Putting up one of their most productive innings in the bottom of the fourth, the Tommies continued to extend their lead. An error led to the first run in the frame, then Thomas Schumacher doubled home a pair and a groundout helped the Tommies balloon their lead to 7-0.

The Lions were able to avoid a shutout by getting on the board in the top of the sixth when Merck got the rally started with a walk. Brady Feller moved Merck to third on a single, then Merck scored on a double play off the bat of Warren to make it a 7-1 game.

Countering in the bottom half of the frame, the Tommies had another four-run inning that brought the game to its final score of 11-1.

Merck led the way for the Lions, going 2-for-2 with a walk, followed by B. Feller, Warren, and Schean who added one hit each. Lundeen went for five innings, allowing seven runs (four earned) on nine hits with two walks and two strikeouts.

Thompson was led by Wolfgram and Schumacher who had a hit and two RBI each, followed by Berberich who went 4-for-5 with an RBI, and Welke and Brody Gibson who added an RBI each. Berberich also took the mound and tossed six innings, allowing one run on five hits with one walk and six strikeouts.

With the win, Thompson advances to the semifinals where they will face North Star or Central Cass 35 minutes after the 4:30 p.m. game. The Lions will face the losing team of North Star and Central Cass 35 minutes after the 11:30 a.m. game.