The Hayfield baseball team received a strong pitching performance from a senior making his first mound start of the year as they snuck past Zumbrota-Mazeppa (0-14 overall) 3-2 in nine innings in Hayfield Friday.

Senior Blake Risius went eight and two-thirds innings and he allowed just two earned runs for Hayfield. Although Andrew Becker picked up the win in relief, Risius held ZM scoreless for the last seven and thirds innings of the game.

“[Blake] threw a great game and he kept his composure. He really battled and he pitched well enough to get the win,” Hayfield head coach Kasey Krekling said.

Ben Czaplewski gave the Vikings (10-3 overall) a walk-off win when he delivered a one-out sacrifice fly to center field in the bottom of the ninth inning.

Hayfield’s ninth inning rally started when Risius drew a walk, Adam Younge singled and Cam Rutledge drew a walk to load the bases. Risius was thrown out at home on a wild pitch, and Aaron Younge was intentionally walked to set up Czaplewski’s game winning sacrifice fly.

Hayfield pitching: Blake Risius, 8 2/3 IP, 9 H, 4 BB, 2 ER, 3 K; Andrew Becker (W) 1/3 IP, 0 R

Hayfield hitting: Cam Rutledge, 0-for-3, HBP, BB, R, 2 SB; Aaron Younge, 2-for-4, BB, R SB; Ben Czaplewski, 1-for-2, 2 RBIs, HBP; Becker, 1-for-3, BB; Dominic Dublin, 1-for-4, RBI; Jax Bauer, 0-for-3, BB; Lane Canny, 0-for-3, BB; Risius, 0-for-2, 2 BBs, SB; Adam Younge, 2-for-4, R, 2 SB