By: Scott DCamp, Northland Communications
Grand Rapids, Minn. - The Northland softball team punched its ticket to the Region 13B Tournament with an 11-10 walk-off win over Hibbing yesterday in Grand Rapids. The win over the Cardinals gave the Pioneers a 7-11 record in MCAC Northern Division play – a half game better than Hibbing, which finished 7-12 – and it gave the Pioneers the fourth and final spot in the Region 13B Tournament.
Friday's game actually began Wednesday evening at the Multi-Events Center in Thief River Falls. It was game two of a double header between the Pioneers and Cardinals. The Cardinals took game one after scoring seven runs in the top of the seventh for a 9-8 win. That set up a winner-take-all game two.
The Cardinals stayed hot to start game two with a pair of runs in the top of the first. The Pioneers answered with three runs in the bottom of the second and two in the bottom of the third to go in front by a score of 5-2. The Cardinals rallied with four runs in the top of the fourth to take a 6-5 lead. The Pioneers appeared to be on their way to answering with a runner on first and one out when play was suspended due to lightning in the bottom of the fourth. The delay ended up lasting over 40 hours. Multiple scenarios were considered, including an option to have both teams travel to Brainerd for the regional and complete the suspended game before the first game of the tournament. In the end, it was decided to resume the game in Grand Rapids.
The Pioneers picked up where they left off Wednesday night, scoring four runs in the bottom of the fourth to take a 9-6 lead. They added an insurance run in the fifth to make it 10-6. The Cardinals had a big seventh inning, much like they did in game one Wednesday, to tie the game 10-10. This time, the Pioneers would not go quietly in the 10th with three hits in the inning to win the game 11-10 in walk-off fashion.
Region XIIIB Tournament Information:
Location: Paul C. Findorff Athletic Complex across from the Central Lakes College - Brainerd campus
Admission: Daily Rate Cash only at the gate
Adults- $8/day
Students (including w/College ID) & Seniors- $5
Schedule of Games:
Saturday, May 14
Game 1- 10:00am: North Dakota State College of Science vs. Itasca Community College
Game 2- 12:00pm: Central Lakes College vs.Northland
Game 3- 2:00pm: Loser Game 1 vs. Loser Game 2
Game 4- 4:00pm: Winner Game 1 vs. Winner Game 2
Sunday, May 15
Game 5- 11:00am: Winner Game 3 vs. Loser Game 4
Game 6- 1:00pm: Championship - Winner Game 4 vs. Winner Game 6
Game 7- 3:00pm: If Necessary Game
Live Stream of the games can be found at:
Saturday: https://youtu.be/SWEMkC0QLP8
Sunday: https://youtu.be/O8-JapZqzXY
May 11, 2022
Hibbing at Northland Game 1
9
8
Line Score
| Final |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
R |
H |
E |
| Hibbing |
1 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
7 |
9 |
0 |
0 |
| Northland |
1 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
4 |
8 |
12 |
2 |
May 11, 2022
Hibbing at Northland Game Two
(0-0)
10
(0-0)
11
Line Score
| Final |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
R |
H |
E |
| Hibbing |
2 |
0 |
0 |
4 |
0 |
0 |
4 |
10 |
0 |
0 |
| Northland |
0 |
3 |
2 |
4 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
11 |
10 |
1 |
Box Score
| HITTERS |
AB |
R |
H |
RBI |
BB |
SO |
LOB |
| Totals |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
BATTING
2B: Kasey Stegman , Hailee Harris , Mara Davis
3B: Kasey Stegman
RBI: Justine Pratcshler (2) , Grace Minten , Desiree Lawrence , Mara Davis (2) , Kylie Shetler (2)
Sac Fly: Mara Davis
BASERUNNING
SB: Desiree Lawrence (2) , Shawna Larson
FIELDING
E: Kasey Stegman
DP: Kasey Stegman , Hailee Harris , Mara Davis
| PITCHERS |
IP |
H |
R |
ER |
BB |
SO |
HR |
| Totals |
0.0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
PITCHING
Batters faced: Hailee Harris (21) , Shawna Larson (17) , Desiree Lawrence
