Photo by Ari Selvey: Marshall Junior Legion’s Andrew Lee (12), Noah Frazee (7), Ethan Boeck (3) and Cannon Craigmile celebrate after a win over Mankato American during the Sub-State G Junior Legion Baseball Tournament Thursday at Mankato East High School.

MANKATO — Marshall Junior Legion Black stayed resilient despite going down 3-1 in a Sub-State G Junior Legion Tournament Baseball game against Mankato American, coming back to win 4-3 Thursday at Mankato East High School.

“We found out what we were made of today,” Marshall head coach Chace Pollock said. “It was fun. We answered the bell when we were down 3-1, we could have folded up and mailed it in. But answered and played really, really, really well the rest of the game. We had some mental mistakes along the way that we’ll learn from, and we’ll be better because of it.”

Cannon Craigmile earned the win for Marshall, striking out nine while allowing three runs, one earned, on four hits in a complete game. At the plate, Ethan Boeck was 3 for 3 with a run scored, while Jackson Sirvoy and Noah Frazee each had a hit, an RBI and a run scored. Trae Bailey added a hit and an RBI.

Marshall surged ahead in the bottom of the fourth facing a 3-1 deficit. Boeck singled and advanced to second to put a baserunner on for Black. Sirvoy doubled to score Boeck, then Frazee hit a line drive to bring home Sirvoy, advancing to second on the throw. An error put into play by Ethan Weedman plated Frazee and gave Marshall a 4-3 lead. 

Marshall scored the first run of the game in the bottom of the first. Craigmile singled to lead off the inning, then a passed ball and a groundout moved him to third. Finally, a single from Bailey brought him home. 

Mankato responded in the top of the second, scoring a run on a walk, a single and a throwing error to tie the game. American took the lead in the fourth on two singles and a hit batsman, going up 3-2.

Craigmile picked off another baserunner at first to stop the damage and end the inning.

Marshall took that momentum to the defense, holding strong and not allowing a run for the remaining three innings of play. Craigmile struck out two batters and coaxed a groundout in the seventh inning to wrap up the game. 

Marshall now takes on top-ranked New Ulm in the semifinal round of the Tournament.

“We’re going to have to play really well,” Pollock said. “We’ve seen New Ulm three times this year, so we kind of know what we’re up against. But we’re going to enjoy this one today, wake up tomorrow and be ready for that one.”

New Ulm has beaten Marshall in two of the previous games, and Marshall’s lone win came in a 6-5 game that was decided in the final inning. Bailey hit an RBI double to give Marshall the lead in extras, and Noah Pieper caught a fly ball and threw it home to Sirovy for the tag at the plate for a game-ending double-play.

The two will meet for the fourth time Friday at 5 p.m. at Mankato East High School.

BOX SCORE

MARSHALL

A. Stubbs: L, 6 IP, 8 H, 4 R, 2 ER, BB, 3 SO.