BRANDON — The Castlewood Ravens have entered uncharted territory. 

For the first time in Castlewood amateur baseball history, the Ravens are into the final four at the Class B state tournament. Castlewood earned its spot in the semifinals with a 4-3 win over Platte on Friday at First National Bank Field at Aspen Park. 

For Castlewood’s Dan Haug, who has been manager for 29 years, it was a special moment as the Ravens reached the semifinals. 

“It’s very rewarding,” said an emotional Haug. “It’s uncharted territory for us. The first time in the semis. But it’s all about them. All I do is make out the card. I am just happy for them.”

Castlewood (19-3) rode the arm of starter Alex Gauer, who struck out nine batters, allowed five hits, three earned runs and three walks in a complete-game performance. Gauer faced 35 batters and tossed 135 pitches against the potent Platte lineup. 

“Platte is really good,” Gauer said. “I mean they are really, really good. To come out and win a game like that, it’s why you play amateur baseball.”

In addition to battling the Killer Tomatoes, Gauer also battled the elements as Brandon was in a heat advisory. 

“The first inning everyone was like ‘How is your arm?’ ” Gauer said. “ ‘It’s fine, but I feel like I am going to throw up because it was just so hot out there.’ I actually went to my wife, ‘Hey, can you get me a Snickers bar? I just need something right now.’ ” 

Gauer and Platte’s Michael Buitenbos settled in for a pitcher’s duel, with runs at a premium and multiple runners left stranded on base. Buitenbos lasted 6.1 innings, struck out seven batters, allowed eight hits, two earned runs and walked two batters in the loss. 

In the seventh inning, Castlewood broke a 2-2 tie when Aidan Stewart (Elkton pick-up player) drove in a run and Blayne Schliesman smacked an RBI triple off the left field wall, making it 4-2 for the Ravens. 

In the ninth inning, Castlewood sweated out the final three outs as Platte sliced the deficit to 4-3 on a Dawson Hoffman two-out RBI single into center field. 

“It’s a rollercoaster ride,” Haug said. “Look at the ninth inning there. I was ready to hook him (Gauer) with two outs and he said ‘Nope I got this,’ and he did.”

In the next at-bat, Platte’s Travis Gant grounded out to Castlewood shortstop Gus Steiger, who threw a bullet to first baseman Nate Phinney for the third out. 

And then the Ravens celebrated the victory. 

“This is my ninth year playing in Castlewood,” Gauer said. “I came in as my last year in Legion and to get this far — you see how pumped the crowd was and how energized everyone was in the dugout.”

Gauer finished with one hit and an RBI at the plate. Steiger was again spectacular at the plate and in the infield. The former South Dakota State University Jackrabbit finished with two hits, scored a run and again made stellar plays at his shortstop position.  

“He’s the best player I’ve ever played with,” Gauer said. “It’s unreal. It’s just awesome to play with him. He’s just such a good dude, too.” 

Phinney had two hits. 

For Platte, Spencer Neugebauer (Mount Vernon pick-up player) had two of the team’s five hits. Hoffman, Matt Link and Hunter Hewitt drove in runs. Cole Knippling added a hit. 

Platte, last season’s Class B runner-ups, finished the season with a 15-8 record. 

Castlewood will play either the Dell Rapids Mudcats or the Hartford/Humboldt Gamecocks at 7:30 p.m. Saturday in the semifinals. 

“I am just super excited for my guys,” Haug said. “Hopefully we can do it again tomorrow night.”