It will be the third time since 2004 that the Eagles (21-4) will be playing for a baseball championship. New York Mills was the Class A runner-up to Sleepy Eye St. Mary’s in 2004 and finished second again in 2014 to New Life Academy.

A four-run sixth inning fueled the Eagles latest trip to the state championship game. Sophomore pitcher Derin Gaudette highlighted the outburst with a bases-loaded double to the gap in left-center field that drove in three runs. The powerful drive turned a 1-all deadlock into a 4-1 advantage. Pinch runner Logan Robinson, a senior, scored moments later with an unearned run.

A half-inning earlier, Sacred Heart (14-9) had tied the score on an RBI single from senior pitcher Evan Sczepanski. Gaudette earned the win, surrendering just three hits and striking out six. Sczepanski took the loss, giving up five runs (four unearned) and striking out five.

New York Mills and BOLD will square off for the Class A Baseball title at 10:00am Thursday, June 20 at Target Field.