The River Falls High School baseball team ran into a buzzsaw when it faced Stevens Point in the Division 1 sectional semifinal in Marshfield on Tuesday, June 6.

Even a virtuoso performance by River Falls senior ace pitcher Keenan Mork wasn’t enough to get past the red-hot Panthers, which entered the sectional semifinal game 23-1 overall and as the No. 7-ranked team in the state, according to the latest Wissports.com coaches’ poll.

Although River Falls ultimately lost 5-1, Mork left it all on the mound. The Wildcats’ Division 1-bound ace struck out 11, allowed just one hit and zero earned runs across four and one-third innings of work against Stevens Point.

Despite not allowing any earned runs, the Panthers scored once in the bottom of the first and third innings to take a 2-0 lead against River Falls. Stevens Point built its early advantage through the opening three frames only because of the Wildcats’ defensive miscues.

River Falls head coach Ryan Bishop spoke about Mork’s lights-out performance against Stevens Point, which entered that sectional semifinal as one of the most dominant Division 1 teams in the state this year.

“Keenan (Mork) threw the ball like he always does, with intent and purpose,” Bishop said. “He did everything he could to put us in a position to win. Ultimately, a couple of defensive miscues ended up being the difference.”

Despite trailing 2-0 going to the top of the fifth inning, River Falls continued to battle. Junior Henry Zimmermann began the frame with a leadoff single to shallow right field and senior Zach Cleveland reached on an error.

The ensuing batter, senior Thatcher Anderson, placed a sacrifice bunt down the first-base line which advanced Zimmermann and Cleveland into scoring position. The next batter, junior Ben Johnson, ripped an RBI single back up the middle and made it a 2-1 contest with one out and runners on the corners.

That brought senior Teddy Norman to the box, a .295 hitter this season who led the team in plate appearances and had the second-best batting average on the team. Norman hit a grounder to the shortstop which Stevens Point turned into a brilliant 6-4-3 double play to end the inning.

The Panthers got out of the jam and then scored three runs in the bottom of the fifth inning to take a commanding 5-1 lead. River Falls threatened in the last several innings, but failed to score and suffered the season-ending 5-1 loss.

After defeating River Falls in the morning semifinal contest, Stevens Point earned a 6-5 victory against Hudson in the sectional championship game that afternoon. The Panthers later received the No. 1 seed in the Division 1 state tournament bracket.

River Falls finished the 2023 campaign 18-7 overall and with its second Division 1 regional championship trophy in the last three seasons. When players and coaches reflect on this year, they’ll likely remember all of the one-run games the Wildcats won and lost this season.

All of the six regular season losses were one-run defeats. The sectional semifinal against a loaded Stevens Point team ended with the tying run on deck. Coach Bishop spoke about the small margin of error and how every pitch can change the trajectory of the season.

“It just goes to show how important every pitch is,” Bishop said. “We say it all the time, but rarely does it play out that every single pitch matters in every game. Whether it was the first pitch or last, every pitch had the chance to change the outcome of the game.”

“I guess that’s about as big a life lesson as you can take away from this season,” Bishop continued. “Opportunities are always on the doorstep. You better be ready, that next pitch can truly be the most important.”

In addition to a record well above .500 and a solo third-place finish in the Big Rivers Conference, River Falls had six players receive All-Conference honors. Mork and Norman made First-Team All-Conference, while senior Eli Condon earned Second-Team honors. Sophomore Brooks Rivard, junior Cayden Mueller and Johnson all received the nod for Honorable Mention.

“Teddy (Norman) had a great senior season,” Bishop said. “We’re most proud of the leadership and maturity he showed this season within our team. He was an All-Conference player, but more importantly, he was an All-Conference teammate this year. That’s the legacy he leaves within our River Falls baseball family.”

Mork was River Falls’ other First-Team All-Conference selection. Coach Bishop spoke about Mork’s dominance and the legacy that he leaves within the River Falls program.

“No question Keenan leaves a legacy of being not only one of the best pitchers to ever wear the River Falls jersey but one of the fiercest competitors to take the mound,” Bishop said. “His self-discipline and commitment to preparation are second to none. The confidence that comes from that mindset is the reason he always wants the ball in the biggest games.”

Mork served as the first part of what has to be one of the best one-two punches in the history of the Big Rivers Conference. He worked alongside Condon, who earned Second-Team All-Conference Honors this spring.

Both Mork and Condon finished the year with a sub-one ERA and each tallied over 70 strikeouts this season. They were the driving force in River Falls leading the Big Rivers Conference in the fewest runs allowed this season.

“Pitching in Keenan’s shadow for the last three years, Eli (Condon) continued to do his thing and had his best season as a senior,” Bishop said. “He would be a No. 1 on many teams. His blue-collar mentality never wavered, and his grit on the field is second to none. Not only does he have the stats to back it up, but he has the heart to always have his teammates’ backs.”

Of River Falls’ six All-Conference selections, only Rivard and Mueller return next season. The Wildcats graduate 10 seniors from this year’s varsity roster. Their departure paves the way for younger players to have ample opportunity on the diamond next spring.