Softball State Tournament: Class A Recap
Posted: Friday, June 10, 2022 - 5:19 PM
Nicollet High School had an opportunity to make school history on Friday, June 10, 2022 when it played in the Class A championship game of the Minnesota State High School League’s State Softball Tournament at Caswell Park in North Mankato, Minn. The championship game berth opposite Moose Lake/Willow River was an opportunity to capture the first state championship in any sport since the school’s opening in 1916.
The Raiders, with an enrollment of 122 students, had to wait a few extra moments to make history.
Nicollet used eighth-inning heroics on offense and defense in recording a 3-2 victory over Moose Lake/Willow River, which was also seeking its first state championship. In the top of the eighth, the top-seeded Raiders (24-2) snapped a 2-all deadlock when senior pitcher Marah Hulke hit a long sacrifice fly to foul territory in right field to score junior catcher Morgan Arndt.
In the bottom of the eighth, Moose Lake/Willow River appeared on the verge of perhaps a walk-off victory. With one on and no out, freshman Sandra Ribich hit a flyball to straightway centerfield. With the ball sailing over the fence, junior center fielder Brooklyn Bode made the catch and brought the ball pack into play. The Rebels’ threat ended two outs later.
Hulke, who started at shortstop, pitched five innings of one-hit relief to earn the victory. She also had two RBIs.
Ribich had two RBIs for the Rebels (26-5).
Third place
Randolph entered the Class A tournament as the defending class champion and the No. 3 seed. The Rockets ended just where the seeding predicted following a 63 victory over Edgerton/SW MN Christian in the third-place game. Sophomore shortstop Carly Kimmes and eighth-grade catcher Allie Gillette each had two RBIs for the Rockets (22-5). Senior shortstop Morgan Pap had two RBIs for the Flying Dutchmen (18-8).
Consolation
Red Lake Falls, the Section 8A champion and the No. 4 seed to open the tournament, rebounded from a quarterfinal loss to win two games, the concluding victory a 9-4 win over Wabasha-Kellogg in the consolation final. Junior shortstop Gabby Casavan was 2 for 4 with four RBIs to power the Eagles (26-2). Junior centerfielder Jayden Breiland was 3 for 4 with three runs scored. Senior second baseman Jacqueline Avilez was 2 for 4 with a home run and three runs scored for Wabasha-Kellogg (14-14).
