The Awesome Blossoms changed pitchers this year, but it didn’t change their outcome as they wrapped up their third straight Section 1A title and clinched their third straight trip to the Class ‘A’ state softball tournament with a 3-1 win over Chatfield at Todd Park Thursday.

BP pitcher Shelbi Swenson, who took over for Erica Manske, who graduated last spring, in the circle this year, struck out eight and allowed just two hits and a walk in the win.

BP’s senior catcher Hunter Henderson has caught for Mankse and Swenson and she’s glad to be heading back to state.

“It feels awesome. It’s a great feeling, especially in my senior year,” Henderson said. “It was different without Erica and the expectations were different, but it’s incredible how we’ve come together and we pulled this off.”

BP (20-3 overall) took the lead for good in the top of the fourth inning when Kelsey Kubista lined a single up the middle to score a run and Julia Manges flared a two-out single up the middle to score Kubista, who has made a habit of coming up with big hits this year.

“I don’t think I really get nervous, coach just kind of counts on me to do it,” Kubista said.

The Blossoms’ rally started when Henderson was hit by a pitch to start the inning.

“I’ve never really been afraid of getting hit by the ball, it hurts for a little then it’s all right,” Henderson said. “It took me getting hit (to get us started), and I’ll do it again.”

The Gophers (19-7 overall) put on some pressure in the bottom of the fourth with a pair of bloop hits and Chatfield scored a run on a BP error. Swenson struck out Sarah Costello to end the frame with runners on first and third.

BP had a chance to take the lead in the second inning when Manges grounded a shot up the middle but Swenson was called out for interference while colliding with Chatfield’s shortstop on her way to third.

“That was tough,” BP head coach Ali Mach said. “Our runners tend to get a little high around second base and Shelbi knows it’s a mistake, but she’s a gamer and she went back and did her job and our hitters came back and put pressure on them.”

Swenson is looking forward to getting a second chance at pitching in the state tournament after she had a brief appearance at state last season, where she pitched in relief in a consolation game, Swenson had to leave that game after colliding with a teammate on a pop fly.

“It was not a good one (last year), this one’s must better,” Swenson said. “I’m not getting hurt this year, I’m promise that. I’m excited for the experience and each year we’ve improved. Hopefully we can keep that streak going.”

While getting to state for a third straight season is quite an accomplishment, it also comes with a lot of pressure.

“The more you do it, the more people expect and it’s a little tougher to celebrate. It’s more relief,” Mach said. “We’ve been to state three times now and every year we’ve improved. We have a shot and I think we’re a really good team. We’re hoping to come home with a big trophy and maybe some medals around our necks.”

BP, which will open state tournament play at Mankato next Thursday, lost both of its games at state last season and it finished fourth last year.

BP 0 0 0 2 1 0 0 — 3 5 2

Chatfield 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 — 1 2 2

BP pitching: Shelbi Swenson (W), 7 IP, 2 H, 1 BB, 1 R, 0 ER, 8 K

BP hitting: Tricia DeBoer, 0-for-4, R, SB; Jenna Krell, 1-for-3; Hunter Henderson, 0-for-2, BB, HBP; Swenson, 1-for-2; Kelsey Kubista, 1-for-3, RBI, R; Sam Ivers, 1-for-2; Julia Manges, 1-for-3, RBI; Tessa Ivers, 0-for-3; Madison Worke, 0-for-2; Mariah Holland, R; Tori Poe, 0-for-1