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Forest Lake powers into section semis |
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Wednesday, 28 May 2008 |
After the Forest Lake softball team ended Duluth Central’s dreams of advancing to the state tournament, the Rangers followed up with their second game on Saturday, May 24, with a 8-3 victory over Grand Rapids.
Forest Lake has made a habit of scoring first, but against the second-seeded Thunderhawks, it was Grand Rapids who would take an early 1-0 lead.
Down by that one run in the top of the second inning, the Rangers responded with a Jessica Skogen single, who was then replaced by Mikki Modjeski to run the bases.
Smart move, as Modjeski came through with a smart move on Alyssa Dunrud’s sneaky bunt. The ball was unplayable for the Grand Rapids’ third basemen, and when Modjeski spotted the opening, she wheeled all the way around to third.
Ashleigh Matheson — who has delivered time after time in these situations — knocked a ground ball to second, allowing Modjeski to score.
Kelly Kent then drove in Dunrud with a single to right field, and a 2-1 advantage for Forest Lake was on its way to becoming 4-1 the following inning, when Lexi Alm and Krystal Plouff both ripped solo home runs.
Fast forward to the top of the seventh, the Rangers had a 4-2 lead, with their final chance to pull away.
Pull away they did, as Kelsey Taylor came in to pinch hit and contributed a double.
Kelly Kent dropped in a bloop single, but Ashleigh Matheson, (who had re-entered for Taylor) could not advance.
Sammy Holien then hit into a fielder’s choice, forcing Matheson out at third base. With Kent on second and Holien on first, Alm was hit by a pitch, thereby loading the bases for Kathy Crudo.
On her second pitch, Crudo smacked a grand slam to make it 8-2.
“Grand Rapids was able to get runners on in the seventh with two singles and a walk, but Cheree Franklin worked out of the jam, only allowing one run and making the final score 8-3,” Forest Lake head coach Angie Ryan said.
In all, Franklin gave up six hits and three earned runs.
Alm, Plouff and Crudo all hit home runs, with Crudo getting four RBI in one swing.
Kent was 2-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored, while Taylor was 1-for-1 with the energizing double.
“This was a big win and was huge in attaining our goal of winning section 7AAA,” Ryan said. “We felt very good coming into today after settling down and being able to practice for five days in a row.
“Every player has bought into their role and came into this tournament with a lot of confidence. We need to continue this momentum into Wednesday.”
Wednesday, May 28 meant another meeting with Duluth Denfeld (who Forest lake defeated 5-3 on May 9) in the section semifinals.
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