While the spring softball season ended for area teams, the Tribune’s coverage area features three baseball squads still in the hunt for a section title and state berth.

The Albert Lea baseball team is in the best spot after earning a No. 1 seed and winning their first two playoff games. NRHEG and United South Central still have a chance to continue their seasons, but the road will be difficult through the consolation bracket.

We applaud Tigers left-handed pitcher Jake Kilby and the rest of the team for their poise in Albert Lea’s 6-5 comeback win over Tri-City United. Kilby gave up two runs in the first inning, but only gave up two more through six innings, before Chris Enderson took the win.

The Tigers’ outfield shined with multiple catches by Kole Smith — who also laid down the game-winning bunt — in left field, Mason Hammer in center and Tanner Bellrichard in right.

Albert Lea qualified for the Subsection 2AA South finals for the second consecutive year.

This year, the No. 1-seed Tigers will host No. 3-seed Waseca. Support the team by heading to Hayek Field at 5 p.m. today.

Waseca beat NRHEG 8-2 in the subsection semifinals but easily could’ve been the No. 2 seed. Waterville-Elysian-Morristown — the team NRHEG beat in the subsection quarterfinals — was awarded the No. 2 seed, despite having a lower ranking in Class AA according to Minnesota-Scores.net’s Quality Results Formula. The Bluejays were No. 50, while the Buccaneers were No. 66.

In the Subsection 2AA North bracket, No. 1-seed Glencoe-Silver Lake cruised to the subsection finals with wins over Le Sueur Henderson and Norwood Young America.

However, No. 2-seed Holy Family Catholic, the team with a No. 9 QRF — the highest ranking in the section — fell to the consolation bracket with a 5-0 loss against Belle Plaine.

NRHEG will battle Tri-City United in the first round of the consolation bracket at 5 p.m. at Montgomery. The Panthers will need to beat the Titans, win three more games in the consolation bracket and beat the winner of the championship bracket twice — because it is double elimination — to qualify for state.

The Rebels have a similar road. United South Central will need to win in the first round of the Section 2A consolation bracket at 5 p.m. today at Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton, three more games in the consolation bracket and two over the winner of the championship bracket.

Best of luck to all the area baseball teams!