MSHSL State Softball Title Games Set

Carter Raymond, junior pitcher for the Randolph Rockets allowed one hit in a MSHSL State Class 2A Fastpitch Softball Tournament game to advance to the state title contest.

The Rockets right handed master in the pitching circle struck out 11 and walked no batter in the 1-0 victory over St. Agnes at Caswell Park in North Mankato on Thursday, June 6, 2024.

Randolph scored the only run of the game in the third inning thanks in part to Raymond's running of the bases.  She singled to open the inning, stole second and advanced to third base on a wild pitch before Ella Banks, junior, smacked a RBI double.

One statistic Rockets Head Coach Dennis Trom is hoping his team can improve upon in the championship game is leaving runners on base.  Randolph had the bases loaded in the first inning, two left on in the second frame and the bases full in the 7th.

A total of 9 runners left on base.  The Aggies did not get nearly as many opportunities with 4 runners stranded on the bases.

Angela Proper, sophomore, pitched very well under duress, allowing 4 hits in the St. Agnes loss.

The Rockets had 2 errors, Aggies no ruled errors in the game.

Randolph has been ranked #1 much of their first season in Class 2A and goes up against Lake Crystal-Wellcome Memorial who has been #2 much of the season.

The Rockets are (27-1),  Knights have a (24-2) record.  They collide at 2:00 p.m. on Field #1 at Caswell.

The Knights cranked 9 hits in a 8-3 win over St. Cloud Cathedral in the other semifinal game.

Class 1A title tilt features New Ulm Cathedral (26-2) against Clinton-Graceville-Beardsley (21-4).  The C-G-B Wolverines were not seeded in the top five by the coaches involved in the tournament while the Greyhounds are the top seed.

The final Minnesota Fastpitch Softball Coaches Association poll at the end of the regular season had Cathedral ranked #3 (behind Red Lake Falls and United South Central).

The Wolverines were not listed.  4:00 p.m. is scheduled first pitch for that contest.

Class 3A, Mankato East is trying to pull off a repeat championship after defeating fellow Big Nine Conference member Winona 5-0 Thursday, June 6, 2024.

The Cougars (19-6) will go up against top seed, #1 rated Cretin-Derham Hall (20-6).  Mankato East was ranked #7 in that final poll, Winona #4.

Kylinn Stangl, junior, was tough in the pitcher's circle, giving up just 2 hits with 1 walk and 16 strikeouts.  Mankato east tallied 9 hits led by Madeline Beaty, junior and Emily Hacker, sophomore, each with 2 hits.  Harper Stangl, 8th grader, stole 4 bases, Hailey Petzel, senior clubbed a two run home run and Kenley Staunton, 7th grader had a solo homer for the Cougars.

The Winhawks left 3 runners on base, never more than one in an inning while Mankato East stranded 7 runners on the bases.

Class 4A Section 1 representative New Prague (21-3) will tussle with Rogers (21-3) for the crown.

The Trojans got another terrific pitching performance from Jordyn Marsh, senior, against the defending state champion Rosemount Irish in a 3-1 victory while the Royals got by Forest Lake 7-5.

Marsh saw the bases cluttered throughout with the Irish collecting 11 hits in the game, stranding 10 runners.  Rosemount pitcher, Jorey Fry, junior, allowed 4 hits with 6 strikeouts and 2 walks,  The Irish left the bases loaded in the third and sixth innings.

The Trojans scored all their runs in the 4th inning when Marsh stroked a 2 RBI double following one out back to back singles by Lacie Crawford, senior and Norah Blaschko, sophomore.  The other run scored on an error.

Rogers and New Prague collide 10:00 a.m. Friday, June 7, 2024 on Field #1 at Caswell Park in North Mankato.

Blooming Prairie, Section 1 Class 1A champion had their season end with a 9-1 loss to Red Lake Falls in the consolation bracket.  The Awesome Blossoms were the #3 seed, Eagles #2 seed in the tournament.

In the final coaches poll, Red Lake Falls was #1, Blooming Prairie ranked #4.  The Awesome Blossoms finish their season (19-7).