Cubs come through: Chaska plays for state on Friday

The Chaska Cubs had to top Shakopee on Wednesday to have a chance at making the state amateur baseball tournament.

A big bases-loaded hit from catcher Cory Poppitz and strong starting pitching from Craig Gralapp made it happen.Celebration: Cubs are a win away from state

The Cubs prevailed 7-3 over Shakopee at Athletic Park to stay alive in the Section 3B Tournament. Chaska hosts Green Isle at 7:30 p.m. on Friday with a state-tournament spot on the line.

The Indians got on the board with a first-inning run. The Cubs went on a third-inning rally against Shakopee starter Kyle Voltin to get on top for good.

Cub leadoff man Brian Astry struck out to start the third, but reached as the ball skipped past Shakopee catcher Andrew Zellman.

Astry then went to third on a pair of wild pitches and scored on a groundout to first base by Eric Welter. Tony Lane singled and stole second base, and Ryan Seifert added a single. A walk to Josh Korth loaded the bases and Poppitz brought everyone home with a double to the right-center gap.Safe at home: Josh Korth scores as Cubs win

The Cubs added two runs in the fourth inning, as Lane doubled in Astry and Brad Keenan doubled in Lane.

Shakopee added a run in the sixth inning on a solo home runby Aaron Olson.

Andy Dauwalter relieved Gralapp in the seventh inning, and Keenan closed it out for the Cubs.

The winner of Friday's game punches a ticket for the state Class B amateur tournament - hosted by Chaska and Shakopee - and plays Jordan on Sunday in a seeding game at the Mini-Met.