PRAIRIE DU CHIEN — New Glarus baseball’s historic playoff run came to an end with a 9-3 loss to Aquinas in a WIAA Division 3 sectional final game June 4. It was the Glarner Knights’ first sectional appearance in program history.

NEW GLARUS 4, MARSHALL 0

PRAIRIE DU CHIEN — Five-seed New Glarus faced a familiar foe in six-seed Marshall in the sectional semifinal. The Capitol Conference opponent Cardinals had handed the Glarner Knights their last loss on May 6, which was the end of a three-game losing streak. From that point on, New Glarus had won 10 straight games.

The Knights put one run up in the first, playing by the book. Leadoff hitter Nolan Julseth singled, Ashlin Mihlbauer bunted him over to second, and Leyton Mihlbauer drove him in. 

Although it was the only run NG needed, the team added on with runs in the third and fifth. Julseth and Ashlin Mihlbauer reached on back-to-back errors to lead off the third, and Leyton Mihlbauer loaded the bases with a bunt single. Patrick Alt came through with an RBI groundout to second. In the fifth, Landon Stelter singled and came around to score on an RBI single from Nathan Hendrickson. Designated hitter Zander Hauser drove in the final run on a fielder’s choice.

Leyton Mihlbauer led the Knights at the plate, going 2-for-4 with an RBI. Stelter also recorded a multiple hit game. Alt held the Cardinals scoreless, tossing a complete-game shutout. He gave up seven hits, struck out five and didn’t issue a walk.

AQUINAS 9, NEW GLARUS 3

PRAIRIE DU CHIEN — A four-run fourth by the Blugolds spelled trouble for New Glarus, as top-seeded Aquinas punched its ticket to the WIAA Division 3 state tournament. 

Knight starting pitcher Leyton Mihlbauer faced trouble early, as Aquinas rattled off three straight singles for a run in the first. One hit, two errors and a groundout gave the Blugolds two more runs in the second. With a walk and hit by pitch, Leyton Mihlbauer loaded the bases for the No. 4 hitter. Tanner Peterson grounded out to end the threat. Leyton Mihlbauer escaped another bases-loaded jam in the third, getting leadoff batter Cullen Sackman to pop up.

New Glarus responded in the bottom of the frame. No. 9 hitter Jake Roth drew a one-out walk, setting it up for the top of the order. Julseth and Leyton Mihlbauer were hit by pitches to load the bases. For the third out of the inning, Aquinas attempted to get Leyton Mihlbauer out at second. Eddie Peters fumbled the ball, allowing two runs to score.

Aquinas made up for it in the fourth, scoring four. After a leadoff hit by pitch, the Blugolds chased Leyton Mihlbauer from the game. Relief pitcher Julseth let two inherited runners score as well as two of his own.

The five-run deficit was too much for the Knights to overcome, ending their season. Stelter finished 2-for-4 with two RBIs. Ashlin Mihlbauer tallied the only other hit of the game. Roth reached twice via walk. Leyton Mihlbauer suffered the loss, giving up three earned runs on seven hits. He struck out two and walked one.

New Glarus ended its season with a 19-4 record with the program’s first regional title and sectional semifinal win.