Turning two: Victoria's Greg Winegarden relays a double-play ball in front of Cub runner Dana Hegman during Sunday's game at Chaska. The Cubs beat the Vics 5-3 and again 5-4 on Wednesday to claim the top Section 3B seed.
It’s never too late to pocket the top playoff seed.
The Chaska Cubs eked out a 5-4, last-inning victory on Wednesday over Victoria to clinch the No. 1 seed going into the Section 3B amateur baseball tournament.
Ryan Seifert pitched a scoreless ninth inning, and then delivered a bases-loaded hit with two outs in the bottom of the final frame to win the game. Chaska scored four runs in the eighth inning to answer a three-run Vics outburst and tie the game 4-4.
Chaska pitcher Pete Ohnsorg kept the Vics off the board for a while after the visitors scored a second-inning run. Victoria starter Alex Sommer blanked the Cubs for six frames.
Chaska has its first playoff test Tuesday night at fourth seed Green Isle. Game time is 7:30 p.m.
Chaska then hosts the Irish on Friday, July 25 and Victoria on Sunday, July 27. The Cubs finish the round with a game at Victoria on Thursday, July 31.
The top three teams in each pool advance to the second round.
The Cubs are 26-10 going into the regular-season finale Friday night against the Rochester Royals. Game time is 7:30 p.m. at Athletic Park. Dugout Club members will enjoy dinner at the ballpark, and the Cubs will honor the 1978 and 1998 state amateur tournament runner-up teams.
Section 3B playoffs
Seeds
1. Chaska
2. Jordan
3. Shakopee
4. Green Isle
5. Prior Lake
6. Victoria
Pool A
Teams
1. Chaska
4. Green Isle
6. Victoria
Game Sunday, July 20
Green Isle at Victoria, 7 p.m.
Game Tuesday, July 22
Chaska at Green Isle, 7:30 p.m.
Game Friday, July 25
Green Isle at Chaska, 7:30 p.m.
Game Sunday, July 27
Victoria at Chaska, 6 p.m.
Game Tuesday, July 29
Victoria at Green Isle, 7:30 p.m.
Game Thursday, July 31
Chaska at Victoria, 7:30 p.m.
Game Friday, Aug. 1
Tiebreaker game if necessary (at high seed)
Pool B
2. Jordan
3. Shakopee
5. Prior Lake
Game Sunday, July 20
Shakopee at Prior Lake, 7 p.m.
Game Wednesday, July 23
Jordan at Shakopee, 7:30 p.m.
Game Friday, July 25
Shakopee at Jordan, 7:30 p.m.
Game Sunday, July 27
Prior Lake at Jordan, 6 p.m.
Game Tuesday, July 29
Prior lake at Shakopee, 7:30 p.m.
Game Thursday, July 31
Jordan at Prior Lake, 7:30 p.m.
Game Friday, Aug. 1
Tiebreaker if necessary (at high seed)