Winona Cotter Ramblers Edge Closer to State Tournament with Thrilling Semifinal Victory

May 30—STEWARTVILLE — The Winona Cotter Ramblers are just one game away from securing a spot in the state tournament for the first time since 2008, following a dramatic 5-4 victory against Lake City in the Section 1, Class 2A semifinals. In a pivotal moment during the bottom of the third inning, KJ Kreidermacher, a sophomore catcher and key player for the top-seeded Ramblers, delivered a game-changing three-run home run, sending the ball soaring off the scoreboard at Stewartville High School.

"(Cotter head coach Mathias O'Brien) said he felt like a gap was coming, so I was just kind of thinking, get my foot down early and stuff like that," Kreidermacher explained about his approach at the plate. "I saw it right out the hand, fastball, middle up and just swung pretty hard." His hit not only shifted momentum back in favor of the Ramblers, but it also propelled them to a crucial win, setting the stage for a section championship game next week.

This season has been particularly meaningful for O'Brien, who was part of the coaching staff during the last state tournament appearances by Cotter in 2006 and 2008. After a brief hiatus from coaching, he returned last year to help guide this talented group, many of whom he has mentored since middle school. "The experience that we had together back in '06 to '08 really is kind of what we did here," O'Brien noted, reflecting on the team's growth and dedication.

Senior pitcher and Saint John's University commit Dane Guzzo played a crucial role in the victory, stepping in to secure the save after junior Vince Frisch had pitched the first five innings. Despite the Tigers closing the gap in the seventh, Guzzo maintained his composure, allowing just one hit and striking out four batters. "He's a heck of an athlete and leader," O'Brien praised, underscoring Guzzo's resilience and skill on the mound.

With the Ramblers now holding a 23-3 record, they look ahead to a showdown against Lourdes (15-9) for the chance to advance to the Class 2A state tournament. The championship game is scheduled for Tuesday, June 2, at Mayo Field in Rochester, with a second game to follow if necessary. "I'm super grateful for it," Guzzo expressed, reflecting on the team's journey and the challenges they have overcome. "It's a dream come true."