sports

RED LAKE FALLS SOFTBALL BEATS EAST POLK, ADVANCES TO SECTION CHAMPIONSHIP

May 31, 2023

The Red Lake Falls Lafayette Eagle Softball team scored two runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to beat the East Polk North Stars 2-0 to advance to the Section 8A Softball tournament championship game on Thursday.

FIRST INNING
East Polk had a one-out rally when a pitch hit Brynlea Mahlen, and Lexi Mahlen reached on an error to give the North Stars runners at first and second with one out. The next batter lined out to the shortstop Shandi Nelson caught the ball and quickly threw to first base to get a double play to get out of the half inning.
In the bottom of the inning, Shandi Nelson hit a frozen rope to left field, and it sailed over the fielder’s head and rolled to the fence. Nelson rounded second and tried to stretch the double into a triple and was thrown out on a perfect relay by East Polk. The next batter struck out, and the inning was over, with the teams scoreless after the first inning.

SECOND INNING
East Polk started the inning with a Kiana Tadman line drive over the right fielder’s head, and as she rounded second base, she tripped over the base, and the Eagles tagged her out. Tadman was injured on the play and had to be carried off the field. Paige Breitbach followed with a single before the next two batters flew out.
Red Lake Falls was retired in 1-2-3 fashion in the bottom of the inning and the game was scoreless after two innings.

THIRD INNING
East Polk had one out when Ava Howard singled. After a second out, Lexi Mahlen singled, and the North Stars had runners on first and second. The next batter struck out, and the North Star threat was over.

FOURTH INNING
East Polk was retired in 1-2-3 fashion to start the inning. Red Lake Falls was also retired in 1-2-3 fashion for a quick fourth inning.

FIFTH INNING
East Polk was retired in 1-2-3 fashion for the second straight inning.
Red Lake Falls drew their first walk of the game when Kali Knutson walked with one out. Alexis Swendra hit a ground ball and reached on a fielder’s choice as Knutson’s pinch runner was out at second. The next batter popped out, and the threat was over, as the game was still scoreless going into the sixth inning.

SIXTH INNING
East Polk had a one-out single from Lexi Mahlen, for her second hit of the game before the next two batters struck out.
Red Lake Falls woke up the bats in the bottom of the inning. Coming into the inning, they only had two hits, but they came up with hits when they needed them. With two outs, the Eagles Nelson singled and stole second base. Gabby Casavan hit a double off the base of the centerfield fence to score Nelson for a 1-0 lead. Quinnlyn Kenfield singled to score another run, and the Eagles led 2-0 after recording three hits in the inning.

SEVENTH INNING
East Polk was retired in 1-2-3 fashion, and Red Lake Falls won the game 2-0.

Red Lake Falls improves to 20-4 on the year and will play BGMR on Thursday at 4:00 p.m. The game will be on the KROX Youtube channel with an audio-only broadcast with the pre-game at 3:30 p.m.
East Polk ends the season with a 20-5 record.

FOR COACH HANSON’S POST-GAME COMMENTS, CLICK BELOW-