GRAND FORKS -- In the middle innings, West Fargo Sheyenne senior Jayce Burns grounded into a double play to end a threat.
Burns was itching for another opportunity Thursday against Bismarck Legacy.
In the bottom of the seventh inning, Burns made the most of his next chance.
Burns' line drive to right field scored two runs to give Sheyenne a 4-3 win over Bismarck Legacy in the North Dakota Class A quarterfinals at Kraft Field.
"Personally, I had a big at bat (earlier in the game), and I hit into a double play with one out and a runner on third," Burns said. "I wanted to get one more at bat. I did, and I didn't miss it."
Sheyenne, which missed the state tournament last season after winning state championships in 2021, 2022 and 2023, will play Fargo South in the state semifinals at 4:30 p.m. Friday.
In the sixth, Legacy took the lead. With two outs, Karter Pearson, a sophomore, hit a deep shot to centerfield -- the Sabers' second hit of the game -- to score two runs to tie the game at 2-2.
A wild pitch to the next batter scored Pearson for the go-ahead run.
But the Mustangs rallied. Kylan Pulkrabek roped a double to the left-center gap with one out. Tate Herrmann then drew a walk.
With Hudson Dinger batting, a wild pitch moved runners up to second and third. The Sabers responded by intentionally walking Dinger, the cleanup hitter.
Burns worked the count full before he lined a single to right.
Sheyenne coach Jason Beilke was set to stop the go-ahead runner at third base but Burns' single was mishandled in right and a second runner was allowed to score the winning run.
"I liked our chances (in the seventh) with the top of the order coming up," Beilke said. "They've been hitting it well lately. Jayce is our leading hitter on the year and lives for those clutch moments. He gave away some at-bats early, so I liked when he was coming up in that spot."
Beilke admitted he was holding up the runner on third.
"He's probably one of our faster runners but you don't want to get the second out at the plate," Beilke said.
Dinger threw the first six innings for the Mustangs but didn't earn a decision. He struck out and gave up no earned runs.
Jordan Clemenson tossed one inning with two strikeouts to pick up the win for Sheyenne.