Cieslak, the team’s second baseman and leadoff hitter,  batted .438 with 17 doubles, six home runs, 33 RBI and 41 runs scored while leading the Bulldogs to the Section 8-3A title and the school's first berth in the state tournament since 2009.

 

The Bulldogs finished the season with a 21-4 record.

 

Cieslak is joined also on the All-Area team by junior teammate Samantha Lorette, St. Cloud Cathedral seniors Maria Bastin and Mariah Sperl, St. Cloud Tech juniors Samantha Boettcher and Samantha Eisenreich, Milaca senior Natalie Bernard and junior Hannah Johnson, Rocori senior Kassidy Klaphake, Eden Valley-Watkins senior Jamie Scherer, Royalton senior Jacquline Nichols and Kimball sophomore Maddison Libbesmeier.

 

The All-Area team is chosen by the Times' staff based on nominations provided by coaches.

 

This marks the fifth time in the past seven years that the award has gone to a Becker player and it caps a season in which the Bulldogs finally broke through to the state tournament after falling in the section finals the past two seasons.

 

Cieslak is headed to North Dakota State in the fall. But she will focus on school in Fargo and does not plan to play college softball, despite drawing recruiting interest at the Division II and III level.