The Rossville baseball team fell one win short of reaching the Class 2-1A State Championship game Wednesday in Manhattan.

The Bulldogs faced top-seeded and No. 1-ranked Thomas More Prep, with the Monarchs advancing to the title game following a 6-2 victory.

Both teams scored in the opening inning. Rossville struck first in the top half on an RBI single by Canaan Mitchell before TMP answered with an RBI groundout from Ty Schmeidler to tie the game at 1-1.

Rossville regained the lead in the third inning when Mitchell delivered again with an RBI double, putting the Bulldogs ahead 2-1.

Thomas More Prep responded with its strongest offensive inning in the bottom of the third. Schmeidler drove in a run with an RBI triple, and in the following at-bat, Caden Dinkel connected on a two-run home run to give the Monarchs a 4-2 advantage.

The Bulldogs were limited to just two hits over the final four innings and were unable to score again. TMP added insurance runs in the fourth and sixth innings to secure the win.

Monarchs starter Carson Liles earned the complete-game victory, allowing five hits and two runs while striking out nine and issuing five walks.

Rossville will now play Frankfort in the consolation final Thursday afternoon in Manhattan at 3:30 PM. Live play-by-play coverage will air on 96.9 The Pulse and 92.1 KMZA.