The Blair High School baseball team started its postseason run 8:44 p.m. Thursday and finished off its first win at 11:10.
The third-seeded Bears (10-11 overall) bested second-seeded Seward, 5-0, and advanced onto the Class B-6 District Tournament Final. Dylan Swanson earned the pitching win, while Brady Brown and Nate Wachter knocked in runs. Carter Saylor scored two, too.
BHS next plays for its first state tournament berth since 2017 at 5 p.m. Friday on Vets Field. Coach John Roan’s team plays Platte Valley, which upset top-seeded Bennington in 14 innings during the first round, which caused the late start to the Bears’ game.
FCHS, AHS fall in Class C
In Malcolm, Fort Calhoun dropped its Class C-1 District opener Thursday to West Point-Beemer/GACC, 5-2. The Pioneers closed the season 9-12, while their opposition continued on with a 9-7 mark.
The Arlington Eagles fell short in Central City during the C-3 District Tournament, too. The Eagles lost 4-2 to top-seeded Central City/Centura (16-7). AHS concluded the season 5-18.
NSAA sets soccer district finals
The Blair girls soccer team will host Columbus Scotus on Saturday in the Class B-8 District Final.
The news went official Thursday when the NSAA announced its official substate matchups. The No. 8 Bears will play 10 a.m. at Krantz Field for their first state berth since 2001, but the BHS boys just missed out on playing their own district final. They were the 17th team in the wild card standings with the top-16 continuing on.
The BHS girls are 11-5 this season, while the boys finished 8-8.
For the full story on these games and more, check out Tuesday's edition of the Washington County Pilot-Tribune.
