Minot North finished fifth in its first state tournament appearance in program history. The Sentinels defeated Minot High and Bismarck High over the final two days. Nathan Beitler/MDN

Fargo South got a gem from Caden Nelson on the mound to help the Bruins secure their second Class A state title in a 6-1 victory over West Fargo Sheyenne in the championship game at Corbett Field on Saturday, May 30.

The Bruins won their only other state title in 2011. The Mustangs were seeking back-to-back state titles and their fifth title in six years.

Nelson went all seven innings for the Bruins, allowing one run on four hits, striking out eight and walking two. He kept the Mustangs off the scoreboard through the first five innings.

South (22-10) plated four runs on just two hits in the second inning. Carson Shiek and Brander Hilmert both got hit by a pitch and an error at first allowed Shiek to score the first run of the game. Evan Felber followed with an RBI double and Colby Eberling singled in two with a ground ball up the middle.

Sheyenne (20-14) got on the board in the sixth on a sacrifice fly off the bat of Max Zenker. The Bruins responded with two in the bottom half, taking advantage of two Mustang errors. An error at first to lead off the inning allowed Hunter Giere to reach base safely. He and Nelson scored on Sheyenne’s second miscue of the inning.

JJ McMenamy went 2-for-3 with a double for the Mustangs.

The Sentinels finished their season with a pair of victories at the state tournament, winning their finale against Bismarck High, 7-3, in the fifth place game. Brody Mueller went 2-for-3 with a triple, double, three RBIs and two runs scored in his final high school game. Mueller garnered Senior Athlete of the Year honors.

Minot North (20-9) led from start to finish, plating two runs in both the first and second innings to build an early 4-0 advantage. Mueller tripled home Mason Stewart and scored on a passed ball in the first. Gannon Hedberg and Levi Balas both drove in a run in the second.

The Demons (21-11) cut Minot North’s lead in half in the third, but the Sentinels put some distance between the two teams with a three-run sixth. Mueller and Hedberg both doubled in runs.

Mueller and Hedberg both had multiple hits and RBIs.

Gage Gronberg and Aidan Rakowski both had two hits for the Demons.

West Fargo Horace defeated West Fargo 8-3, for third place. Horace’ Quinn Irey was named Coach of the Year.