Thursday, March 28th, 2024 Church Directory
The state champion Becker Bulldog softball team members smiled for the camera at the welcome home ceremony held last week after the team’s 4-0 win over Winona. (Submitted Photo).
Bulldog Shortstop Krista Paulson had a stellar season and was named to the all star game, however an injury sustained in the state tournament kept her out of all star game action. (Submitted Photo).
The seniors on the Becker Bulldog softball team posed for a picture with the state title trophy. Brooke Hendrickson (R) holds the team’s good luck charm, purportedly named “A-a-ron” (Submitted Photo).
Emma Eickhoff (L) and Kurstyn Patnode posed with the state title trophy. Patnode earned All-State status after this season, while Eickhoff was named to play in the state all star game. (Submitted Photo).

Bulldogs persevere to claim Class AAA Championship

Depth, perseverance and determination proved to be key attributes for the Becker girls softball team as they claimed the Class AAA MSHSL Championship last week.

Becker defeated Winona 4-0 in the title game and there were any number of heroes that deserved the spotlight.  

Pitcher Emma Eickhoff was amazing as she performed at an all-star level through all three games.  Kurstyn Patnode’s hitting drew the attention of the Metro area press, as she proved to be one of the best hitters in Minnesota.  And there were several other players who stepped in when teammates could not play, proving that it was a total team effort that brought home the school’s first ever state softball title.

Winona proved to be a formidable foe, as they went extra innings in the state semifinals in knocking off the #1 seed, Mankato West, 7-6.  However the Bulldogs were up for the challenge and Head Coach Jason Baune gushed about his players after the big win.

“Emma Eickhoff continued her dominate state tournament with seven shutout innings,” Baune commented after the game.  “She allowed only two hits, a walk, and one hit batter while striking out 10. Overall, she was as good as anyone I’ve ever seen at the state tournament, allowing only a single run in three games.  She allowed eight hits and three walks, while striking out 26 in 21 innings in the circle.”

Baune’s praise was also aimed at Eickhoff’s battery mate, Makenna Zerwas, and the Bulldog’s defense which came through when it was needed the most.

“Makenna did an amazing job of calling pitches and deserves a lot of credit,” Baune said.  “And our defense had probably been our biggest weakness throughout the season, but it was virtually flawless in the three state tournament games.”

In the early innings, it was the defense that kept the game close.  In the second inning, Winona put on a pair of runners before Cadence Koste made a great play at third base, holding the runners and getting the out at first base to keep the Winhawks from scoring.  Patnode followed up with a fine play of her own in center field with a running catch to keep the game 0-0.

The title game was extremely close throughout, as Becker led just 1-0 heading into the seventh.  Becker suffered a quick pair of outs, but the determination came through in the form of Patnode’s amazing at-bat that culminated in a three run home run and a complete deflating of the Winhawks’ chances at a comeback.

“The top of the seventh started with two strikeouts, but then Ellie Gallus reached on a bunt and Maddie Sherman singled to put two runners on base for Patnode,” Baune remembered.  “After falling behind 0-2, Patnode fouled off numerous pitches before driving a three-run home run to left to give us some breathing room.”

Baune also credited the rest of the cast, as there were several players who stepped up in the title game, showing that the Bulldogs’ overall depth was a key contributing factor in the title.

Maddie Sherman stepped into the leadoff spot in the order to fill in for senior shortstop Krista Paulson, who was injured late in the semifinal victory and was unable to play.  Sherman went 3-for-4 and scored a run, while Patnode was 2-for-4, including the home run.  Ellie Gallus was a spark, reaching twice on bunts and wreaking havoc on the bases with her speed.

However, just reaching the title game proved to be an adventure for the Bulldogs, as several key players stepped up along the way.

“When we had an injury in the section tournament, Levi Roske stepped up and played a great third base,” Baune said.  “When Hannah Bartlett came down with the flu before the semifinal game, Ashlyn Croal filled in perfectly, and when Krista Paulson was injured and couldn’t play in the championship game, Maddie Sherman moved from 2B to SS and Kennedy Drehmel was great at 2B.”

As Baune reflected on his team’s state title, he couldn’t help but also recall last year’s seniors who lost a chance at their own state title because of Covid-19 forcing a cancellation of the season.

Baune firmly believes those seven seniors formed a core of a team that could have also challenged for the state title.

“I want to give those seniors a shoutout, as they missed out on a chance to prove how good they were,” Baune said.  “Those seven seniors were Avery Tamm, Corrie Weise, Emily Lamott, Cammie Varney, Shelby Zoller, Alex Jundt, and Elizabeth Paul.”

Lastly, Baune also wanted to recognize all of the coaches in the program, from the middle school and up, as they showed great dedication over the past several years in preparing the girls for this opportunity.

He especially noted his varsity assistants and the role they played in managing the mood in the dugout.

“The assistant coaches, Matt, Heather, and Jesse also deserve a ton of credit,” Baune said.  “They kept the girls loose and had them prepared for anything that was thrown at us.”

En route to the title, the Bulldogs did have many things thrown at them, from top-notch competition to injuries and illness that caused changes in the lineup.  But in the end the team overcame all the obstacles and as a result, the 2021 Bulldogs are cemented in school history as the first ever state softball champions.