Down 8-1, Imperial Juniors rally to reach state final

CREIGHTON, Neb. — The Imperial Pinnacle Bank Juniors unleashed 11 runs in their final two at-bats of a 12-9 Class C state tournament win over Dannebrog-Cairo-Boelus Wednesday.

Trailing 8-1 through nearly five innings, the Horns hammered their way into today’s Class C Legion state finals round.

Carson Lempke and Tristan Jablonski ripped RBI-hits before Mason Wallin’s two-run double formed an 8-8 deadlock.

DCB picked a Horns runner off third base to seemingly stop the momentum.

However, Jablonski drilled a two-out double that scored Wallin for Imperial’s first lead of 9-8.

Jablonski soon scored on a DCB fielding error, then balk called against the pitcher scent Gavin Wisnieski home as Imperial now led 11-8.

DCB answered with a final seventh-inning threat and brought its potential tying run to bat.

That’s when Lempke fired strike one, strike two and STRIKE THREE which finished the Horns’ comeback victory.

Lempke pitched four strong innings, striking out five and allowing just one unearned run.

Lempke and Reeves also were clutch with three hits apiece.

Jablonski tallied two hits, three RBIs while Wallin scored two and drove in two more.

Imperial takes a 26-4 record into today’s 6 p.m. final against tourney unbeaten Malcolm (23-2).

First pitch is set for 6 p.m.

If Imperial wins, a second state final would follow tonight.

The Horns need two wins because Malcolm defeated them, 7-1, Tuesday evening.