NEW FRANKLIN - The New Franklin Bulldogs entered Monday night's Class 1 baseball sectional ranked No. 1 in the state.
The St. Elizabeth Hornets staked a claim to be No. 3.
"That's the way I'm going to think," St. Elizabeth coach Nick Voss said with a laugh after the Hornets dropped a 5-4 decision to the Bulldogs.
It has been an odd season for the Hornets, who have just nine players on the roster.
"Between injuries and rainouts, we went almost two weeks without playing," Voss said. "But we got a few games in right before districts that got our bats going."
The Hornets entered the district tournament with a record of 2-8, but posted three wins in seven days to take the title and advance to the postseason.
"Between injuries and rainouts, we went almost two weeks without playing," Voss said. "But we got a few games in right before districts that got our bats going."
On Monday, New Franklin took the lead with a run in the second.
St. Elizabeth answered with three runs in the third. Dakota Kemna singled and stole second before coming home on a wild throw to tie it. Later in the inning, Wyatt Stiles belted a two-run home run to make it 3-1.
New Franklin tied it with two runs in the fourth before St. Elizabeth regained the advantage with a run in the fifth on a sacrifice bunt by Mason Kemna.
New Franklin then tied it with a run in the bottom of the fifth.
In the bottom of the seventh, New Franklin got its first two batters on with an error and a walk. A sacrifice moved them to second and third. An intentional walk loaded the bases before St. Elizabeth got a strikeout.
But a single to right ended the upset bid.
"We gave them a run for the run of the money," Voss said. "I'm proud of the way our guys fought, we did a great job of competing in this game.
"To play a team of that caliber, our guys did an outstanding job."
Dakota Kemna and Stiles had three hits each for the Hornets. Tanner Prenger had two hits, while Mason Kemna and Dalton Kemna had one each.
Alex Goller pitched the first five innings, allowing four runs (three earned). He walked five and struck out five. Mason Kemna pitched the final 12/3 innings.
St. Elizabeth ends at 5-9.
New Franklin (23-1) will play at Silex (13-6) in the quarterfinals Wednesday.