The Dell Rapids Mudcats positioned themselves for state tournament play after a game last Thursday night in Salem versus the Madison Broncos pushed the team into the championship round in districts.

Though the Broncos came off to a strong start, taking the lead, 1-0 in the second inning, followed by a four-run third inning, Dell Rapids trailed 5-1.

A rally in the seventh inning, though, changed the course of the match-up, as the Mudcats took the lead, 9-7. That lead pushed forward in the eighth inning, as the Dell Rapids players won the game, 12-7.

Dells outhit the Broncos 16-9 for the night, with Alfonzo Borjas, Nate Henry, Jimmy Bauer, Mark Houck, Matt Wilber and Travis Peters contributing two apiece. Borjas, Henry and Bauer each returned home twice, while Tom Pischke, Houck, Peters, Gregg Hilmoe, Jesse Kurtenbach and Jerod Burleson scored once apiece.

Kurtenbach also knocked one run out of the park, batting in four runs during the game.

Henry and Burleson each took a turn at the mound, with Henry throwing four innings and one strikeout and Burleson throwing five innings and six strikeouts.

The State Class B Tournament for the Amateur League will be hosted by Mitchell, starting today. The Mudcats will play Thursday versus Clear Lake, at 1 p.m. First round play will continue through Monday, while the tournament will close Aug. 12.

Seven Corn Belt League teams made the state event, including the Mudcats, Canova, Madison, Colman, Harrisburg, Salem and Lennox. The Dells PBR did not gain a slot in the tournament this year.