MINNEOTA — The Heron Lake Lakers scored seven runs in the 11th inning to beat the Minneota Mudhens 9-3 Friday, to even the best-of-three series at one game apiece.

Heron Lake scored first, registering one run in the top of the first to take the lead. Two and a half scoreless innings went by before Minneota tied the game at one in the bottom of the fourth.

The Lakers and Mudhens exchanged runs in the fifth to keep the game tied and the pitchers for both teams held strong through the ninth inning, sending the game into extras.

Neither team scored in the 10th inning, which set up another frame of baseball.

The top of the 11th is when the Lakers’ offense woke up, putting up seven runs on six hits against three Minneota pitchers to give Heron Lake a 9-2 lead. A single by Matt Franks started the rally and following a sacrifice bunt by Alex Meyer, Octavio Jimenez doubled home Lucas Knutson (pinch running for Franks) to give the game its first run since the fifth.

The Mudhens tried to mount a comeback in the bottom of the inning, but the Lakers only gave up one run before closing out the game.

Tom Albrecht got the win for Heron Lake, pitching all 11 innings. He gave up 10 hits, three runs, struck out six batters, walked five and hit a batter.

The losing pitcher for Minneota was Tony Shaikoski, who pitched the eighth through 11th innings before giving up four runs in the top of the 11th.

Ike Roger was 3-for-6, while Octavio Jimenez (2-for-4) had a triple in the first and an RBI double to give the Lakers the lead in the 11th. Ben Scheevel (2-for-6) had three RBIs and Kirk McBreen (2-for-6) had a triple, an RBI and scored a run.

Jesus Macias (3-for-6) had two doubles for Minneota while Jason Mackinnon (3-for-4) had two RBIs for the Mudhens. Tyson Sonnenburg was also 2-for-6.

Game 3 for the best-of-three series will be in Heron Lake on Sunday at 2 p.m.

R H E

HL 100 010 000 07 — 9 14 0

Minneota 000 110 000 01 — 3 10 2