LINCOLN- Fans at the Nebraska Class A baseball tournament knew there was a chance of a rain delay for Monday's late game, but what they got was a delay in Bellevue West's pitching.

Senior Dane Toman started on the mound for the Thunderbirds and although his 3.72 ERA isn't the most flattering on the team, his final few innings in the second round of the Class A tournament against Lincoln East proved otherwise. 

Toman through the first three innings constantly had to work through 3-2 counts and bases loaded jams. The senior pitcher proved his prowess on the bump for the Thunderbirds though, and managed to get through the first few innings allowing one run coming from a wild pitch in the second with the bases loaded. 

It was the fifth inning when Toman, and Bellevue West, kicked it into high-gear. 

On the other side of the diamond was the Spartans ace pitcher, senior Sam Wragge. Wragge came into the second round game with a 5-2 record on the mound, but more importantly, a daunting 1.05 ERA through 40 innings pitched this season.

Bellevue West struggled to register a hit against Wragge—aside from a single from Connor Schneider in the first inning. In the fifth inning though, that changed. Senior Easton York reached base with a single as the leadoff batter in the top of the fifth, followed by a single from senior Cam Madsen that turned into an extra base for both on an errant throw from Lincoln East.

Schneider, for the second game in a row, came through in the clutch for the Thunderbirds with an RBI grounder that tied the game up at one apiece. The Thunderbirds weren't done just yet, though.

Still in the fifth inning, with the infield playing close to avoid another Bellevue West run, senior Jack Bland hit one to shortstop. The throw to the plate was off-line and Madsen slid through home plate for the go-ahead run, giving the Thunderbirds a 2-1 lead.

That one run was all that Toman needed on the other side of the diamond. Toman dealt strikeout after strikeout to the Spartans, knotting them up on everything from 92 mph fastballs to 69 mph curveballs. Toman ended the game with 5 1/3 innings pitched and 11 strikeouts to his final tally.

Bellevue West was able to hang on after senior Gage Allen stepped in relief to close out the game on a six out save. The Thunderbirds won 2-1 in the second round of the Class A tournament and now look on to play against five-seeded Millard West in the winners finals bracket.

Bellevue West and Millard West have squared off twice this season, with both team winning their respective home games. Bellevue West 8-1 on April 17th and then Millard West 6-2 on April 27th.

The Class A winners finals game will be played Tuesday, May 18th at 7 pm at Haymarket Park. B103 with have coverage of that game, with pre-game starting at 6:45.