BEMIDJI 鈥� With the bases loaded in the top of the fourth inning, things were looking good for Red Lake Falls against the Bemidji American Legion softball team.
The Eagles had a 1-0 lead and already bagged a 2-0 win in the first leg of the doubleheader. They were in a prime position to take control of game two until Anna Swedberg stepped up in the pitcher鈥檚 circle. She struck out two RLF batters and stranded all three runners on base.
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It was the momentum shift that the Titans needed to come out with a five-inning 3-2 win in the second game.
鈥淚t was just timing,鈥� said head coach Sylvia Grimm. 鈥淲e just weren鈥檛 hitting the ball. We just finally dropped (a few in), and then the hit parade started, and thank goodness it did.鈥�
In the bottom of the fourth inning, Jessa Anderson got things rolling with a single. She advanced to second on another single from Kenley Anderson.
After 10 scoreless innings at the plate, Aleah Shogren finally got the Titans on the board, continuing to build the momentum that was missing in the first game. Her line drive up the middle of the field resulted in Jessa Anderson scoring Bemidji鈥檚 first run of the day, with Kenley moving to third and Shogren to second.
Shogren was productive on both sides of the field. In the first game, she struck out 13 batters in seven innings, allowing just three hits and two unearned runs. She also went 1 for 5 with an RBI and a run scored at the plate.
鈥淎leah came out and did Aleah things, it鈥檚 really special. She gets better every day, and that鈥檚 what鈥檚 so cool and special for the young kids to see the success translate,鈥� Grimm said. 鈥淭he score wasn鈥檛 what we wanted (in the first game). It鈥檚 been many games 鈥� knock on wood 鈥� since she鈥檚 had an earned run, and she鈥檚 getting tougher. She wants to get better, and she鈥檚 hungry. It鈥檚 really special to have a kid and a leader like her in the circle.鈥�
Kaylin Benson, a courtesy runner for Kenley Anderson, scored the go-ahead run on a fielder鈥檚 choice, while Shogren advanced to third. Shogren later scored on Anna Swedberg鈥檚 RBI single.
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Swedberg earned the win in the circle as well. She threw all five innings, allowing one earned run on seven hits with a walk and five strikeouts.
鈥淎nna鈥檚 been on our team for a while, found a way to get it done again and again, the momentum carried into the next inning, and I鈥檓 proud of the kids,鈥� said Grimm. 鈥淚t鈥檚 easy to get discouraged when you can鈥檛 find the gaps and you鈥檙e striking out too much.鈥�
Trailing 3-1, Red Lake Falls still had more to give. The Eagles scored their second run on an error to cut their deficit in half. However, they couldn鈥檛 completely close the gap.
In the top half of the second inning, Red Lake Falls scored its first run on a pair of doubles to lead off the frame.
While Bemidji was struggling to find its offense, the Titans continued making solid contact that resulted in outs.
鈥淚 think it was the second game that we were at least hitting the ball more. We just couldn鈥檛 quite find the gap,鈥� said Grimm.
After having a rough first game and with trouble collecting hits in the first half of the second game, the Titans鈥� persistence at the plate ultimately paid off in a one-run win.
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Jessa Anderson went 2 for 2 with a run scored. Kenley Anderson, Shogren and Swedberg collected the Titans鈥� remaining three hits. Jessa Anderson also went 2 for 4 in the first game with a double, while Kenley Anderson went 1 for 4 with a triple.
Sitting with a record of 9-3, Bemidji will have one more chance to leave an impression before the postseason at the Waverly Days Tournament on Sunday, July 13.
鈥淚t鈥檚 reminding myself to trust the process of the game at ebbs and flows, and eventually they鈥檙e gonna drop,鈥� Grimm said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 just timing, keep putting good swings and trying to stay calm, so they stay calm.鈥�
Red Lake Falls 2, Bemidji 0
RLF 000 000 2 鈥� 2-3-0
BEM 000 000 0 鈥� 0-3-1
LP: Shogren (7 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 13 K)
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Bemidji 3, Red Lake Falls 2
RLF 010 01 鈥� 2-7-0
BEM 000 3 X 鈥� 3-5-1
WP: Swedberg (5 IP, 7 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 5 K)
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