In a dramatic first round of the Small Schools Tournament, the fourth-seeded St. Paul's suffered their first loss of the season, falling 7-6 to Marianapolis Prep Varsity Golden Knights. The defeat came late in the game, as Patrick Fitzgibbons of Marianapolis delivered a pivotal sacrifice fly in the eighth inning, pushing his team into the lead and ending St. Paul's season.

The game was tightly contested from the start, with Marianapolis making the initial move by scoring on a steal of home in the first inning. St. Paul's quickly answered, taking a brief 2-1 lead thanks to a clutch single by Luke Newhall. However, the third inning saw Marianapolis seize control, rallying with five runs sparked by hits and a costly error by St. Paul's.

Despite trailing by four runs, St. Paul's showcased their resilience, clawing back into the game with a series of singles and a ground out to narrow the deficit. Carter Corbett's crucial hit in the sixth inning tied the game at six, setting the stage for a tense finale.

Pitching played a critical role, with Sebastien Troyse earning the win for Marianapolis through a commanding three innings, where he allowed no hits and struck out one. St. Paul's Harry Dermody absorbed the loss after conceding the decisive run in his inning of work.

Offensively, Newhall stood out for St. Paul's, driving in two runs and going 2-for-3 at the plate. Marianapolis, meanwhile, showcased aggressive baserunning, accumulating eight stolen bases, and a disciplined approach at the plate, earning 11 walks.

Defensively, both teams were solid, each turning critical double plays that influenced the game's flow.

This narrow loss concludes a remarkable season for St. Paul's, whose tournament journey ended sooner than anticipated. As the curtains draw on their campaign, they reflect on a season filled with impressive victories, the Lakes Region regular season crown, the Lakes Region Tournament Crown, and a single, untimely defeat.