BP wins one, hits rain delay at state
Published 11:28 pm Thursday, June 9, 2011
Blooming Prairie's Tricia DeBoer slides into third behind shortstop for Badger/Greenbush-Middle River Alissa Olson during the first inning of their State 1A quarterfinal match-up Thursday in North Mankato. - Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
NORTH MANKATO — The Awesome Blossoms picked up a win in the opening round of the Class ‘A’ state tournament and then they had their fates put on hold due to some rain at Caswell Park in North Mankato Thursday.
The Awesome Blossoms (21-1 overall) beat Badger/Greenbush/Middle River (22-3 overall) 8-4 and they were trailing Cherry/Cotton 3-0 in the bottom of the third when the rain came and put a halt to all of the games.
Blooming Prairie first baseman Shelbi Swenson hugs pitcher Erica Manske after the Awesome Blossoms defeated Badger/Greenbush-Middle River in the Minnesota State Class 1A Softball Tournament in North Mankato Thursday. BP was down 3-0 to Cherry/Cotton in the semifinals when the tournament was called for the night because of rain and lightening. BP and Cherry/Cotton picked up again 8 a.m. this morning for the chance to play in the title game later in the day. - Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
BP will resume play Friday at 8 a.m.
Against BGM, the Blossoms came out swinging as Tricia DeBoer opened the game with a double and she scored on a a single by Julia Manges to put her squad on top. DeBoer, who usually keeps the ball in the infield, doubled again in the fourth inning when she knocked in a run to trigger a five-run rally to put BP up 7-2.
“I know they knew I was a slapper and they were kind of taking away the bunt so I swung away,” DeBoer said. “I hadn’t gotten a double all year and that was the best time to get one.”
BP jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first inning, but BGM answered in the bottom of the first when Haley Price doubled in a run and scored on a BP throwing error.
The Blossoms had to regroup, but they eventually regained control.
“We sat and calmed down and then we went out and got (the lead) again,” DeBoer said.
BP’s defense stepped up in the fourth inning when Sam Ivers made a jumping catch in right field and threw to first to get a double play to end the frame. BP pitcher Erica Manske also stepped up in the seventh after allowing two hits to start the frame.
The Class ‘A’ consolation title game will be played at 11 a.m. and the championship game will be played at 2 p.m. Friday.
Blooming Prairie runner Taylor Farr and Badger/Greenbush-Middle River shortstop Alissa Olson look up to see the umpire call Farr safe during the State 1A Softball Tournament quarterfinals Thursday in North Mankato. - Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
BP 2 0 0 5 0 1 0 — 8 13 3
BGM 2 0 0 0 2 0 X — 4 7 2
BP pitching: Erica Manske (W), 7 IP, 7 H, 2 BB, 4 R, 2 ER, 7 K
BP hitting: Tricia DeBoer, 2-for-4, 2 doubles, RBI, 2 R, SB; Erica Manske, 1-for-5; Tayla Jones, 2-for-4, RBI, R, SB, BB; Hunter Henderson, 1-for-4; Julia Manges, 3-for-4, 2 RBIs, R, SB; Shelbi Swenson, 3-for-4, RBI; Sidni Olson, 0-for-3, BB; Jenna Krell, 1-for-3, RBI, R, BB; Sam Ivers, 0-for-3, R, BB; Kelsey Kubista, R
