By TYLER HENRY
Lead Sportswriter - Salina Post
The Sacred Heart baseball team led for the majority of their regional semifinal against Mission Valley, but a late Viking surge pushed them over the top, eliminating the Knights in a tight 3-2 contest.
The Knights wasted no time getting on the board, as Maddox Wells was hit by a pitch in the top of the first, advanced on an infield single, then came in to score on an RBI knock by Noah Hines.
That 1-0 lead held until the top of the fourth, where Sacred Heart added another run, this time on a throwing error that allowed Kolton Sprague to turn the corner and score after stealing third.
Opportunities were plentiful for both sides, with each stranding five runners throughout the game, including nine total in scoring position.
In the bottom of the sixth, the dam finally broke for Mission Valley, who scored all three of their runs to flip a 2-0 deficit into a 3-2 lead.
Rykin Kraus began the party with a leadoff single but was gunned down at the plate after trying to score on a Keegan Hoelting hit.
A diving catch by Kolin Wilson recorded the second out of the inning, but began a Viking rally, with two additional singles bookending a Jacob Mills RBI triple to give Mission Valley the lead.
Gunner Trickle entered the game in relief and struck out three Knights to record his second save of the season and secure the win for Mission Valley.
The Vikings advanced to the final where their season also met its end at the hands of Rossville, who punched their ticket to state.
For Sacred Heart, another stellar season comes to a close at 17-9.
This game can be watched back any time on demand below.