In game one, the Bulldogs took on STMA and came out with a one-run win.  

 

Becker got on the board  with two runs in the top of the first when Payton Williams and Cassie Althoff scored on a two-out single by Kadee Vesledahl.  

STMA tied it up with two runs in the third.   

 

The Bulldogs pushed the lead back to two with a couple runs in the fifth when Erika Schwartz and Marikate Wegeleben each scored on a two-out single by Haley Harmon.  

 

STMA answered with a run in the bottom of the inning to get within a run, but Becker made a few key defensive plays and held on for the win.

 

Harmon got the win, going all seven innings, giving up four hits, three walks, and striking out 12.

 

 

The Park Center Pirates jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the top of the first and added five more runs in the fourth to make it 7-0 in the semi-final game of the day.

 

Becker’s bats finally came out of their funk in the sixth with an Alexa Hanowski sacrifice fly that scored Erika Schwartz to make it 7-1.  

 

Park Center made it 8-1 with a run in the top of the seventh, but the home team battled back to score four runs in the bottom, but couldn’t overcome the lead.

 

Wegeleben and Schwartz each had two-RBI doubles in the inning. Harmon took the loss on the mound, going three innings.  Maddy Mohrman came on in relief and did a great job, giving up just one run on four hits and striking out two.

 

 

In the third place game, Becker fell to Chisago Lakes by six runs.  

 

The Wildcats jumped on the board with three runs in the top of the first and added two more in the second and two more in the third to gain a 7-0 lead.  

 

The Bulldogs were able to plate a run in the fifth when pinch runner Ellie Tabako scored on a Hailey Fitzpatrick sacrifice fly, but that would be all the scoring.

 

Mohrman took the loss, going four innings and allowing three earned runs on 10 hits.  Harmon pitched three scoreless innings in relief.

 

“Despite the loss to Park Center, I was pleased with how we competed the first two games against some very solid teams,” said Head Coach Jason Baune. “With our conference being a little down this year, it was good to see some higher level competition before we enter the playoffs.”  

 

Baune said he was disappointed with the team’s focus and intensity in the final game of the day. “Hopefully we can learn from the positives and negatives on the day and continue to work towards our goal of a section championship.”

 

Tuesday night, Becker returned to Granite Ridge play with a doubleheader in Milaca. 

 

 

In game one, Milaca got on the board quickly with a run in the bottom of the first.  

 

Becker took the lead with two runs in the third.  Fitzpatrick and Allison Cieslak scored in the inning which included an RBI single by Erika Schwartz.  

 

The Bulldogs were able to build a comfortable lead with four runs in the fifth inning to make the score 6-1.

 

Althoff, Wegeleben, Vesledahl and Sam Lorette each had an RBI base hit in the inning.  

 

Brianna Corey picked up the win on the mound as she went all seven innings, allowing four hits, walking four and striking out six.

 

 

In game two, Becker got off to a fast start by scoring three in the bottom of the first on a combination of hits, walks and Wolves errors.  

 

Milaca got a run back in the top of the second to make the score 3-1, but Becker answered with three more runs in the second to extend the lead.

 

Cieslak and Williams each had RBI base hits in the inning.  

 

The Bulldogs added four more in the third to put the game out of reach. Fitzpatrick had a big game at the plate, going 3-3 with a double and two runs scored.

 

Brianna Corey picked up another win on the mound in game two. She pitched the first four innings and allowed an unearned run on three hits while striking out two.  Mohrman pitched the final three innings and didn't allow a run while striking out three.

 

With the wins, Becker moved to 10-0 in the Granite Ridge Conference and 12-2 overall.  They will have a chance to clinch their second straight conference championship Tuesday night when they host Cathedral for a doubleheader beginning at 4:15 p.m.   Becker’s final regular season game is Friday against Mora at home.They’ll will open the playoffs May 21.