The Becker Blast 12U girls softball team hosted a state tournament last Saturday and took home first place.
“We had an up and down season to finish strong ending the fall season with a fall state title,” said Head Coach Ben Patnode. “As their head coach, I couldn't be more proud of how the girls showed up and played as a team.”
One of Patnode’s pitchers wasn't able to play due to injury, so 11-year-old Kurstyn Patnode (the coaches’ daughter) pitched all four games. She also had the opportunity to pitch for the 10U team this summer — which meant she had to make some adjustments going to a bigger ball and moving back from 35-feet to 40 feet for fall ball.
“So as she adjusted through the fall season she pitched her best for last in her home town of Becker, only giving up total of 14 runs between all four games,” said her proud dad.
The team finished the regular season with a 1-6-1 record but managed to win all four of their games last weekend to win the championship. They beat Cottage Grove 14-1, Burnsville 7-6, Jordan 14-3 and Buffalo 14-6.
Burnsville ended up winning the consolation championship.
The Blast is comprised of Head Coach Ben Patnode, Hannah Gareis, Brook Hendrickson, Kayla Denny, Lilyana Parga, Makenna Zerwas, Nevaeh Bjorlin, Asst. Coach Eric Sherman, Emma Hanson, Maddie Sherman, Levi Roske, Kurstyn Patnode and Trista Holms.
