BOONE — The Humboldt baseball team twice had the lead on Boone here Wednesday night in a Class 3A substate final.

And each time, the Toreadors answered.

After taking a 2-1 lead in the top of the 11th, the Wildcats saw their first trip to state slip through the cracks as Boone scored twice to win it and advance to Sioux City next week, 3-2.

The Toreadors (23-9 overall) were also the winners the last time Humboldt (27-7) made a substate final, knocking them out in 2018, 5-0.

Senior Mason Van Pelt put the Wildcats up in extras with an RBI-single that scored Chase Flaherty, who reached on a single with one out that ended a run of 14 consecutive batters retired by Boone pitchers.

Humboldt had a chance to add to the lead, but senior Tyler Lindahl recorded the third out with the bases loaded.

Lindahl started the rally by the Toreadors with a single in the bottom of the 11th. Classmate Drew Hayworth came on to run, scoring when Reid Carr drove him in to tie it.

One batter later, Iowa Western recruit Dylan England scored Carr to set off a wild celebration.

“Just an unbelievable group of guys and I love them,” Humboldt head coach Jason Thurm said. “I couldn’t think of a more heartbreaking way to end up but I am so proud of the effort and toughness they showed.

“This group went out and competed, giving ourselves a chance. Boone was just a little bit better at the end.”

Carr, a senior, made the start, pitching the first nine innings while allowing just a run in the second. That came when Keegan Groat reached, moved to second on an error, third on an out and scored on a wild pitch.

But just like in the 11th, Boone answered right back, tying it when Lindahl doubled in Cole Bowers with one out.

Valley Davis started on the mound for Humboldt, working out of several jams and pitching through seven innings. He was relieved by Chase Hansen, who threw out three baserunners from his catcher position, including two trying to steal third base.

Davis also started a key double-play in the eighth, making a diving catch in centerfield before throwing the ball in and getting the out at second.

“We rode Valley pretty hard and he came out and did a great job against a very tough lineup,” Thurm said. “He came out and gave us seven incredible innings.”

Flaherty had two hits and scored a run to lead the Wildcats, as Davis struck out five with six hits allowed and Hansen had three strikeouts in relief.

Humboldt, who tied for the most wins in a season under Thurm, will need to replace graduates Cyler Cirks, Gabe Flatau, Coen Matson, Van Pelt, Keegan Groat, Isaiah Busick and Parker Sleiter.