Randolph Softball Defeats Bethlehem Academy in Faribault

The Randolph Rockets defeated the Bethlehem Academy Cardinals 9-5 tonight at Alexander Park in Faribault.

The Rockets used a 6 run 6th inning to break a 2-2 tie and held on for the 9-5 victory.

This game featured two very good, young teams.  Randolph is the defending Class  A State Softball Champions with most of that team graduated.

The pitchers are both freshman. Morgan Wilson for BA and Carter Raymond for Randolph.

The Rockets started the game with a bunt single by sophmore Carly Kimmes, another bunt for a hit by freshman Kylee Carey and a swining bunt by freshman Chloe Vought.

Bases loaded no outs.  Wilson got a strikeout, then fielded a ball hit back to her and threw home for the force out, followed by a ground out to get out of the inning with no damage.

in the top of the third the first two batters for Randolph were retired. #5 hitter in the order junior Anna Olsen hit a single then stole a base before catcher 8th grader Allie Gillette walked.

During the Raymond at bat the runners advanced on a double steal.  Raymond clubbed a full count 2 run single to give Randolph a 2-0 lead.

In the bottom of the inning BA answered when #9 hitter junior LIndsay Hanson started the inning with a single to right field.

Freshman Anna Cohen hit a grounder resulting in a out at second base.  Catcher junior Reagan Kangas did likewise.

Freshman Anna Tobin was safe on a error.  Those two runners advanced on a wild pitch which brought cleanup hitter junior Kate Trump to the plate.

The Rockets chose to intenionally walk her to load the bases.  Wilson hammered a single resulting in Kangas and Tobin to score.  The game was tied at 2 runs each.

It stayed that way until the top of the 6th inning when freshman Kenna Bergen started the inning with a bunt single.

With one out Kimmes connected for a single, Carey singgled to load the bases.  Wilson walked Vought allowing Gergen to score.  Senior Lindsay Sundby hit into a run scoring fielder's choice.

Olsen hit a high fly ball to center that Cardinals senior Mercedes Huerta appeared to catch but couldn't squeeze into the glove, it popped out scoring another run.

Gillette joined the hit parade with a 2 run single.  Raymond hit a grounder to third resulting in a out.  Gergen collected her second hit of the inning, an RBI single resulting in a six run inning for Randolph.

Bethlehem Academy went up and down in order in the bottom of the 6th inning.

In the top of the 7th inning Kimmes hit a double but ended up at third base when the left fielder had trouble retrieving the ball.  Carey struck out but gained first base when the third strike was not caught.

Vought hit a ground ball to shortstop Kate Trump who came home with the ball and Kimmes scored just before the ball got there.

Give the Cardinals credit on the cold evening they could have given up but in their final at bats but they battled to score three runs.

Huerta opened the inning with a solid single to right field.  8th grader Caitlin Bothun flew out to center.  Hanson hit a grounder to second resulting in a force out at second so the Cardinals were down to their last out.

Freshman second baseman Anna Cohen stroked a double.  Kangas hammered a two run single.  Tobin connected for a RBI double.  Trump walked before a strikeout ended the game.

Randolph had 12 hits to go with their 9 runs, left 11 runners on base, 9 in scoring position with 2 errors.

Bethlehem Academy scored 5 runs on 8 hits with 5 runners left, 3 in scoring position and had 3 errors in my scorebook.

Wilson threw 118 pitches, 77 strikes with 5 strikeouts, 3 walks, a hit batter, allowed 12 hits.

Raymond tossed 117 pitches, 76 strikes, 5 strikeouts, 3 walks, 8 hits.

Our Cashwise Foods and Pharmacy of Owatonna Delivery of the Game award went to Raymond for the most part holding down a good hitting Cardinals team, also delivered at the plate with some nice defensive plays of bunt attempts for hits.

The Malecha's Auto Body of Faribault Crunch Time Faribault Players of the Game were Kangas with 2 runs scored, 2 RBI and Cohen.

The lead-off hitter was on base three of the four times she was up to the plate.

BA is 3-2 overall and 2-2 in Gopher Conference play while Randolph has a record of 5-3 overall and 3-1 in the league.

The Cardinals are at Triton Thursday while Randolph hosts Blooming Prairie.

In other reported softball contests Wednesday.

• Waterville-Elysian-Morristown 9  Kenyon-Wanamingo 0
• Red Wing 1  Faribault 0
• Rochester Mayo 5  Rochester Century 4
• Lakeville North 10 Eagan 5
• Lakeville South 7  Burnsville 4
• Prior Lake 7  Farmington 3
• Rosemount 7  Eastview 1
• Shakopee 10 Apple Valley 0

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