ROCHESTER — The Austin Post 91 Legion baseball team moved within one win of the state tournament when it beat the Rochester John Marshall Patriots 8-4 at Massey Field Saturday.

Nik Gasner scattered nine hits and he allowed just two earned runs as he pitched all nine innings in the win for Austin (27-5 overall). Gasner allowed three runs in the top of the seventh as the Patriots pulled to within 5-4, but he pitched two scoreless innings to close out the game. “It was a little tough. I was feeling it a little bit, but I think the adrenaline of pitching in a game that could get us in the championship game was a huge motivator,” Gasner said. “I’m sure I’ll be feeling it tonight, but out there wasn’t too bad.” Gasner came though with a two-run single in the seventh to put Austin back up 7-5 and Gasner drew a bases loaded walk to make it 8-4 in the eighth. Gasner, who had four RBIs in the win, was able to help out his mound effort by knocking in those late runs. “I just know every runs important. They were battling with us and no lead was safe,” he said. Austin took a 4-1 lead in the sixth when Ethan Horstmann had a sacrifice fly and Jacob Kempen doubled in a run. Austin will play in the District title game 1 p.m. Sunday at Mayo High School.

Patriots 0 0 0 0 1 0 3 0 0 — 4 9 0

Austin 0 0 0 0 1 4 2 1 X — 8 11 2

Austin pitching: Nik Gasner (W) 9 IP, 9 H, 2 BB, 4 R, 2 ER, 7 K

Austin hitting: Daniel Bollingberg, 4-for-5, double, 2 R, SB; Nate Conner, 1-for-5, R; Jordan Hart, 1-for-3, double, RBI, 2 BBs; Nik Gasner, 3-for-3, 4 RBIs, 2 BB, 2 R; Dylan Gasner, 1-for-4, R, BB; Alex Ciola, 0-for-3, 2 HBP, BB; Ethan Horstmann, 0-for-3, 2 RBIs; Jacob Kempen, 1-for-3, double, RBI; Isaac Schumacher, 0-for-4; Jake Reinartz, BB, R