The Austin Post 1216 VFW baseball team had its season end in the elimination round at the state tournament in Brainerd Friday.

Austin lost to Bemidji 3-2 in nine innings in a game that would’ve put it in the Final Four had it won.

Austin had six hits in the loss and most of them came from the middle of the order. Alex Ciola was 3-for-4 with two RBIs and Nate Conner was 2-for-4.

Post 1216 (33-7 overall) beat Bemidji 8-2 earlier on Friday and it topped Marshall 13-7 late Thursday night. In all, Austin played four games in a span of about 30 hours.

Austin head coach Joe Ciola was pleased with how his team played this entire summer.

“They played with more desire and passion I’ve ever seen them play with. I think the memories they created at state will be life lasting and I think it will help them improve mentally going forward,” Ciola said. “I’m proud of each and every one of these kids. It’ s a great pleasure to call them all friends.”

Brainerd 3, Austin 2

Austin pitching: Dylan Gasner (L), 5 IP, 5 H, 7 BB, 2 ER; Nate Conner (L) 3 IP, 2 H, 1 BB, 1 R, 0 ER

Austin hitting: Trevor Stevens, 0-for-3, 2 BBs; Gasner, 1-for-4, BB; Daniel Bollingberg, 0-for-3, BB; Conner, 2-for-4; Alex Ciola, 3-for-4, 2 RBIs; Brandon Bickell, 0-for-2, BB, HBP; Jason Stoulil, 0-for-4; Riley Olson, 0-for-2, 2 BBs; Shane Johannsen, 0-for-4

Austin 8, Bemidji 2

Austin pitching: Reinartz 2 2/3 IP, 1 H, 1 BB, 0 R, 1 K; Stevens (W), 4 1/3 IP 2 H, 5 BB, 2 R, 0 ER, 7 K

Austin hitting: Stevens, 1-for-4, RBI; Gasner, 2-for-3, 2 RBIs, BB; Bollingberg, 1-for-4; Conner, 0-for-3, RBI; Ciola, 1-for-4, RBI; Bickell, 1-for-2, BB; Stoulil, 3-for-3, BB; Riley Olson, 0-for-2, BB; Johannsen, 2-for-2, RBI, HBP

Austin 13, Marshall 7

Austin pitching: Bollingberg (W) 7 IP, 9 H, 2 BB, 7 ER, 9 K

Austin hitting: Stevens, 1-for-1, RBI, 4 BBs; Gasner, 1-for-3, BB; Bollingberg, 2-for-4, 2 RBIs, BB; Conner, 2-for-5, triple, 3 RBIs; Ciola, 1-for-2, 3 BBs; Bickell, 1-for-2, RBI, 2 BBs; Stoulil, 1-for-3, BB, RBI; Reinartz, 0-for-3, BB; Johannsen, 1-for-3, BB