The Becker Bulldog girls softball team finished fourth at state when they lost to Maple Grove Friday morning in five innings by a score of 13-1 in Mankato.
The Crimson featured LSU-bound pitcher Sydney Smith, who looked to quiet the Becker bats. However, she was pulled from the game after the first inning with soreness in her back and was relieved by Samantha Sadler, who didn’t miss a beat. She was masterful as Becker managed just one hit in the 12-run loss.
Maple Grove was ranked #1 in the state and had lost their previous game, 1-0 to a solid Eastview team in the semifinals.
After Becker’s Haley Harmon worked out of a jam in the top of the first, the home team Lady Bulldogs looked to jump out to an early lead on Smith when Payton Williams worked out a walk. Hailey Fitzpatrick struck out, but reached first when the pitch got past the Crimson catcher. Later in the inning, Emma Buntrock walked to load the bases with one out, but Smith buckled down and struck out the final two Becker batters to keep the game scoreless.
In the top of the second, Maple Grove was able to score four runs on three hits and two crucial Bulldog errors.
Becker got on the board with a run in the bottom of the third when Fitzpatrick singled, stole second and scored on a ground out by Harmon.
The Crimson put to rest any thoughts of a comeback with six more runs in the fourth inning. A grand slam by Megan Mulchrone was the biggest blow in the inning and made the score 10-1.
After a quick bottom of the fourth, Maple Grove put up three more runs in the fifth to put the nail in the coffin.
Fitzpatrick had the only hit of the game for the Bulldogs.
Harmon took the loss, going three innings and allowing eight runs — six earned — on nine hits and a walk. Brianna Corey came on in relief and pitched two innings, allowing five runs — three earned — on two hits and two walks.
Becker finished their season with a record of 22-3, which is the third most wins in school history. They won their third straight Granite Ridge Conference championship with an undefeated conference record of 12-0. They have yet to lose a conference game since joining the Granite Ridge (38-0).
2015 marks Becker’s final season in Minnesota's biggest class as softball and baseball move to a four-class system (similar to basketball) beginning in 2016. Next year, the girls will compete in AAA post season play with teams closer to their size like Big Lake, Monticello and Rocori.
The Ladies’ JV and ninth grade teams sported winning records, which bodes well for more success in the future.
End-of-Year Banquet
The Bulldogs held their annual end-of-the-season banquet at the high school Monday.
Academically, the team was awarded the Silver Academic Award by the Minnesota Coaches Association for their team GPA of 3.709.
Spotlight on Scholarship Award Winners (GPA over 3.00): Haley Harmon, Samantha Lorette, Lindsey Lorette, McKenzie Demant, Maddy Mohrman, Emma Buntrock, Erika Schwartz, Hailey Fitzpatrick, Payton Williams, Alexa Hanowski, Sydney Lamott, Brianna Corey, Ellie Schwartz, Megan Hoppe, Payton Bernstrom, Carly Baumgartner, Brinley Zoller, Rachel Thiesse, Ashley May, Sami May, Kayla Mittelstaedt, Julia Abfalter, Kalley Goebel and Kallee Fischer.
Academic All-Conference (Varsity Letter Winners w/ GPA over 3.75): Harmon, Buntrock, Hanowski, Corey and Schwartz.
Academic All-State (Seniors w/GPA over 3.75): Buntrock and Harmon.
The team’s 2015 Scholar Athlete was senior first baseman Buntrock.
Each of the 20 members of the Bulldogs state tournament roster was awarded a certificate for participating in the state tournament as well as a coin to commemorate the 100th year of the Minnesota State High School League.
Honorable Mention All-Conference: Lindsey Lorette and Hanowski;
All-Conference: Harmon, Samantha Lorette, Erika Schwartz, Fitzpatrick, Williams and Corey. Harmon was also named the Granite Ridge Conference Most Valuable Player. Fitzpatrick was named the Granite Ridge Conference Offensive Player of the Year.
All-Section 8AAA: Harmon, Williams and Ellie Schwartz.
Fitzpatrick was named to the 2015 AAA All-State Tournament team. Samantha Lorette and Harmon were honored for participating in the 2015 Senior All-Star Series in Mankato Sunday.
Most improved players: Ellie Schwartz and Sydney Lamott; Most dedicated player: Erika Schwartz; Most valuable player: Williams.
The team then took some time to talk about each of the three coaches and present them with gifts.
“This season was one of my most rewarding in 13 years of coaching varsity softball,” said Head Coach Jason Baune. “The 13 letter winners really came together as a team and when they were able to do that, their abilities carried them to become one of the top four teams in the entire state of Minnesota.”
Baune said he is excited to watch his six seniors move on to college and become successful young adults.
“I'm also excited to see how our underclassmen take this year's experiences and build towards another great season in 2016,” he said.
