SOFTBALL

Titans go 2-1 at Red Lake Falls Round Robin

Pioneer Staff Report — Sat, 28 Jun 2025 22:20:06 GMT

RED LAKE FALLS – The Bemidji American Legion softball team was back in action at the Red Lake Falls Round Robin on Friday.

The Titans went 2-1 in their three games. They beat Roseau 7-1 and East Polk 11-6 in eight innings. However, the host team got the better of Post 14 by a score of 4-2.

Against Roseau, Aleah Shogren was involved on both sides of the field. She went 2 for 4 at the plate with three RBIs. She also pitched a complete game, allowing just one hit and one unearned run with nine strikeouts.

Despite allowing the tying runs in the bottom of the seventh inning, Anna Swedberg also left Red Lake Falls with a win in the circle over East Polk. She struck out 13 batters in the five-run win.

Of Bemidji’s 10 hits, nine of them were singles. Maya Schmidt went 1 for 4 with a double and a walk. Shogren went 3 for 4 with three singles and an RBI, and scored a run. Kenley Anderson, Jessa Anderson, Brooklyn Nord, Hannah Backus and Bailey Nord all had at least one single.

Bemidji plated two runs in the bottom of the first inning against Red Lake Falls, but lost 4-2. Red Lake Falls scored one run in the first and fourth innings, and two in the second.

The Titans will hold an 8-2 record through July 4.

Bemidji 7, Roseau 1

BEM 300 012 1 – 7-7-1

ROS 000 100 0 – 1-1-4

WP: Shogren (7 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 9 K)

Bemidji 11, East Polk 6 (F/8)

BEM 300 002 15 – 11-10-2

EP 201 000 30 – 6-12-3

WP: Swedberg (7 IP, 12 H, 6 R, 6 ER, 0 BB, 13 K)

Red Lake Falls 4, Bemidji 2

RLF 120 100 0 – 4

BEM 200 000 0 – 2-4-3

LP: Shogren (7 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 0 ER, 4 BB, 12 K)

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After 5-inning rout, Titans complete doubleheader sweep over Parkers Prairie in extras

Jared Rubado — Fri, 20 Jun 2025 03:35:10 GMT

BEMIDJI – The Titans knew Parkers Prairie had a little more to give.

While the first game of Thursday’s doubleheader ended in just five innings, an 11-0 win for the Bemidji American Legion softball team, the second game provided more drama. The Titans pulled out a 5-3 win in nine innings to sweep the slate at the BHS softball field.

In the top of the ninth inning, Kenley Anderson put Bemidji in business with a leadoff double. Hannah Backus walked, then advanced to second while Anderson moved to third on a wild pitch.

Brooklyn Nord delivered the Titans’ big hit. She laced a two-RBI single down the right-field line to put Bemidji ahead by two. Aside from a two-out single, Bemidji got out of the bottom of the ninth inning with another win.

“Brooklyn is a kid where everything you tell her, she just soaks it in,” head coach Sylvia Grimm said. “She’s such a sponge, and she does what she learns well. I don’t know how many pitches she fouled off all game, but every at-bat, she was hard to get out. It was bound to happen that she’d connect on one.

“She was covering her face like she was shy at second base. But she’s the hero, and we love that little freshman out there taking big swings like that.”

Parkers Prairie took a 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning via a double, a single and an error. Bemidji got one run back in the top of the second. Backus was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded before Jessa Anderson’s RBI single tied the game in the third.

Jessa Anderson led off the top of the fifth inning with a single before coming around to score on Maya Schmidt’s RBI double. After Schmidt gave Bemidji its first lead, she then became the subject of a baserunning dispute.

Aleah Shogren was robbed of an RBI single with a diving catch in right field. On third base, Schmidt advanced home and believed she gave the Titans a 4-2 lead. Parkers Prairie appealed her tag at third base. The umpire ruled Schmidt did not successfully tag up, effectively ending the inning with Bemidji ahead 3-2.

In the bottom of the fifth, Parkers Prairie tied the game with a double that turned into a Little League home run.

“You have to control the controlables,” Grimm said. “You can’t control the calls. You can’t control the other team. We can control how we react, and I thought the kids did a good job of channeling that angst into energy on the field.”

Tied 3-3 in the bottom of the sixth inning, Jessa Anderson robbed Parkers Prairie of a base hit with a diving catch in centerfield. However, Parkers Prairie put runners on second and third with one out after a walk and an error.

In Parkers Prairie’s best chance to retake he lead, Anna Swedberg prevented the runs from scoring with a pair of her 13 strikeouts. She finished with nine innings pitched, allowing seven hits, one earned run and one walk.

Shogren took the rubber in game one. She also threw a complete game, surrendering three hits and one walk with eight strikeouts.

“Anna has come a long way in the last couple of years,” Grimm said. “Aleah just keeps getting better forever and ever. It’s unique. I’m learning how to coach (two ace pitchers). I’m trying to learn how to situationally put them in. Who do I throw in the first game? Are they saving their ace for the second game? Who even is my ace? The kids are just rising to the challenge, and I’m going to let them decide the answers to those questions.”

In the first leg of the doubleheader, Bemidji padded a 6-0 lead before recording its first hit.

Nord reached with a walk in the bottom of the first. She came around to score on a wild pitch to give the Titans a 1-0 lead.

In the bottom of the second, Bemidji’s first three batters walked, with two of them scoring on passed balls before the inning ended. Braylee Benson scored on an error in the fourth inning after reaching first with a walk, then Backus and Nord scored on an error to make it 6-0.

Bemidji’s first hit came off Kayleigh Lory’s bat in the fourth. It was just the beginning of an eight-run frame for the Titans.

RBI singles from Kenley Anderson and Benson pushed Bemidji’s lead to 11-0, effectively ending the game by mercy rule.

“We recognize that we needed to find ways to score runs after our tournament last weekend,” Grimm said. “We left a lot of people in scoring position. The kids took it seriously. We worked on offense a lot in practice yesterday, and it paid off. They got bunts down, got timely hits and got aggressive on the bases. It’s hard to beat a team that’s relentless like that.”

Through seven games this season, Bemidji holds a 6-1 record. However, over half of the Titans don’t live in Bemidji.

Coming off a Section 5A championship and the program’s first-ever trip to the state tournament, Blackduck High �� softball players are in full force in the Titans’ dugout. Grimm, who coached many of them last summer in Legion play, welcomes the Drakes with open arms.

“They learned how to win this spring,” Grimm said. “They come to the ballpark and think it’s their game to win. They’re kids that play like you have to beat them, because they’re not going to beat themselves. It’s awesome, and they’re excited to be here. They want to learn. We have a bunch of 12U kids in our dugout, too, who want to learn and get better. The community is buying in, and I’ll take every single kid I can.”

Blackduck’s softball success also raises the bar for their Bemidji peers.

“You’re only as strong as your weakest link, and our weakest link isn’t very weak right now,” Grimm said. “We’re just going to keep learning. Hopefully, the success makes kids want to play Legion and the program can keep growing. The Blaze program is growing like crazy. I hope we can get more Bemidji kids out here because we’re a lot of Blackduck right now.”

Bemidji 11, Parkers Prairie 0 (F/5)

PP 000 00 – 0-3-5

BEM 120 08 00 11-4-0

WP: Shogren (5 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 8 K)

Bemidji 5, Parkers Prairie 3 (F/9)

BEM 011 010 002 – 5-9-3

PP 200 010 000 – 3-7-0

WP: Swedberg (9 IP, 7 H, 3 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 13 K)

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Bemidji Girls Fastpitch to host 27th Annual Bemidji Blaze Tournament

Pioneer Staff Report — Tue, 17 Jun 2025 16:33:57 GMT

BEMIDJI — The Bemidji Girls Fastpitch Softball Association will host the 27th Annual Bemidji Blaze Softball Tournament, taking place June 20-22, 2025.

As the largest softball tournament in the region, this event will feature 76 teams. Games will be held at the West Fraser Softball Complex, City of Bemidji softball fields, and Bemidji High ��, with divisions spanning 10u, 12u, 14u, and 16/18u. Bemidji will have seven Blaze teams participating.

"BGFSA and our Bemidji Blaze teams are thrilled to host over 700 players and their families for this tournament. Each year, we have waiting lists of teams eager to attend. It fills our area's lodging, and we appreciate the support from local businesses and the community who welcome them. Our volunteer families work tirelessly to provide the best experience possible, rain or shine, and we're looking forward to a fantastic event," said Caralee Nowak, BGFSA Tournament Director, in a release.

The event is free and open to the public. BGFSA would like to extend a special thanks to their premier sponsors, West Fraser, Paul Bunyan Communications powered by the GigaZone, Back 40 Roofing, and First National Bank.

Bemidji Girls Fastpitch Softball Association is a nonprofit youth sports organization dedicated to providing girls ages 5-18 the opportunity to foster self-esteem, good sportsmanship, and teamwork while nurturing their passion for softball.

BGFSA offers summer programs that include day league, night league, travel teams for 8u, 10u, 12u, 14u, and 16/18u, as well as opportunities for players to build their skills in the off-season. BGFSA is proud to host the Bemidji Blaze Tournament in late June.

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Titans go 4-1 at Aitkin’s Rumble at the Roost Tournament

Pioneer Staff Report — Mon, 16 Jun 2025 20:08:16 GMT

AITKIN – The Bemidji Legion softball season is off to an impressive start. The Titans went 4-1 at the Rumble at the Roost tournament in Aitkin. Bemidji beat Park Rapids 7-2 in five innings and 7-1 in seven innings. It also beat Staples-Motley 2-0 in five innings and Aitkin 6-5 in six innings, but lost to Aitkin 2-1 in its third game.

Bemidji started its Sunday tournament with a five-run win over Park Rapids. Maya Schmidt with 2 for 3 with a pair of singles and an RBI. Hannah Backus, Kenley Anderson and Brooklyn Nord all had singles, while Backus had two RBIs.

After a 2-1 loss against Aitkin, the Titans rebounded with a 2-0 win over Staples-Motley. Bemidji had eight hits, with two of them coming from Kenley Anderson. Backus, Schmidt, Jessa Anderson, Kayleigh Lory, Bailee Nord and Anna Swedberg each recorded a single.

Bemidji got another crack against Aitkin, and found itself on the better side of it in round two.

Tied 4-4 after five innings, Aleah Shogren ripped an RBI single to bring home Jessa Anderson. It proved to be the game-winning hit in a one-run win. Schmidt went 2 for 3 with an RBI and two runs scored. Shogren also went 2 for 3 with two RBIs.

In the fifth and final game against Park Rapids, the Titans’ four-run fourth inning proved to be the difference in a six-run triumph.

After Braylee Benson scored on an error, and Backus crossed home on a sacrifice fly, Lory doubled in another run with two outs to take a 7-1 lead. The score held the rest of the game. Six different Bemidji players recorded hits.

Swedberg and Shogren controlled the pitcher’s circle for Bemidji. Swedberg went 2-0 with a save, pitching 13 innings over the five games. She allowed 11 hits, without an earned run or a walk, all while collecting 13 strikeouts.

Shogren pitched 15 innings for the Titans (4-1). She surrendered six earned runs on 15 hits with two walks with 23 strikeouts.

Bemidji will host Parkers Prairie for a 5 p.m. doubleheader on Thursday at the BHS softball field.

Bemidji 7, Park Rapids 2 (F/5)

PR 000 02 – 2-5-6

BEM 120 4X – 7-5-3

WP: Swedberg (5 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 8 K)

Aitkin 2, Bemidji 1 (F/5)

ATK 110 00 – 2-4-5

BEM 001 00 – 1-2-2

LP: Shogren (5 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 11 K)

Bemidji 2, Staples-Motley 0 (F/5)

SM 000 00 – 0-5-0

BEM 000 2X – 2-8-1

WP: Swedberg (5 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 3 K)

Bemidji 5, Aitkin 4 (F/6)

BEM 211 001 – 5-7-0

ATK 130 000 – 4-7-2

WP: Shogren (6 IP, 7 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 2 BB, 5 K)

Bemidji 7, Park Rapids 1

PR 100 000 0 – 1-5-5

BEM 120 040 X – 7-6-1

WP: Shogren (4 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 7 K)

S: Swedberg (3 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 K)

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Boasting a bright future, resilient Drakes relish in historic state tournament finish

Alex Faber — Wed, 11 Jun 2025 22:36:16 GMT

BLACKDUCK — The Drakes weren’t given many breaks at the Class A state tournament last week.

But a few roadblocks in the regular season and section tournament didn’t stop the Blackduck High �� softball team from putting together a historic year. And it didn’t stop BHS from pushing through when the going got tough at state.

Eighth-seeded Blackduck opened up play against United South Central on Wednesday afternoon, the No. 1 seed in the tournament and eventual state champions. Mariah Anderson, the Rebels’ elite starting pitcher, tossed a perfect five-inning game against the Drakes. USC claimed a 12-0 victory and sent Blackduck to the consolation bracket.

Later that evening, BHS bounced back. The Drakes picked up a 7-4 victory over Wabasso to advance to the consolation finals and keep the season alive.

“It was awesome, kind of the same thing happened in the section tournament,” Blackduck head coach Judd Shogren said. “We lost a game, and of course, it takes all the wind out of your sails. After the game against USC, I’m sure it felt like a mountain to try to get over. But the girls didn’t accept the fact that we didn’t belong there; they came out and played a really, really good game.”

Blackduck’s season came to a close on Thursday afternoon with a 4-1 loss to Clinton-Graceville-Beardsley, the No. 2 seed in the tournament.

Though the season ended with a defeat, it failed to dull the shine of what was the best season in program history.

The Drakes’ state tournament bid wasn’t just the program’s first. It was also the first time in BHS history that a girls athletic team had reached an MSHSL state tournament.

“It’s a huge thing for a small community,” Shogren said. “There’s a lot of women from the community who played in the program. A lot of these ladies have girls in the program, young girls in the program. It’s huge.”

BHS took its lumps during the regular season but always seemed to find a way to bounce back. When Red Lake Falls handed the Drakes a six-inning, 10-0 loss on May 13, they came back the very next day with a 9-8 win over Northome/Kelliher to secure the Upper Mississippi Conference Crown.

That resiliency continued into the postseason. Blackduck suffered a 7-1 loss to Hill City/Northland in the Section 5A Tournament semifinals but stormed back with three straight wins and a state berth.

“The mental strength of these girls to be able to come back, the resiliency, was truly amazing,” Shogren said. “Something to be very proud of as a coach.”

In their first season leading the program, Shogren and assistant coach Jay Cheney had finally achieved what the program had set its sights on a year ago. In 2024, Blackduck was the No. 1 seed in the Section 5A Tournament.

“It didn’t just happen this year,” Shogren said. “(The previous coaching staff) had a lot of things in place. Obviously, they coached them to be the No. 1 seed in the section, that was a big start for what happened this year.”

Coming up just short of the state tournament in 2024, the Drakes entered this season intent on making it to Mankato.

“I think we would’ve been disappointed to not get to the state tournament,” Shogren said. “I think it was the girls’ expectation, the girls’ goal to get there. They were very disappointed after they were not able to get out of the section last year. To win a game at state is a huge step.”

Impressively, Blackduck achieved its goal with an extremely youthful squad. Anna Swedberg, the leader of the Drakes’ pitching staff, is a junior. McKenzie Bullock, another top-end pitcher, is just a sophomore.

“We have a very good pitching staff,” Shogren said. “I think we finished the season with over 300 strikeouts on the mound. Our pitching staff, they lead. They’re the point of the spear.”

Blackduck’s only senior was its shortstop and leadoff hitter, Kayleigh Lory.

“Lory will be sorely missed,” Shogren said. “Took a lot of pitches and she did a wonderful job at shortstop for us. She’s a field general out there. It all happens in front of her in the infield.”

Considering the amount of talent returning to the program next year, Shogren and the Drakes are hopeful that this season’s success was not just a one-off.

Plus, a good number of Blackduck’s players will continue to hone their skills over the summer while participating in Legion softball.

“The next couple years, it would be a disappointment, I think, if we didn’t get back right to the top of the section again,” Shogren said. “Might not happen, but expectations are pretty high. And of the 19 girls we had on varsity, I think 16 or 17 are playing in the summer. They’re going to get more experience, they’re only going to get better.”

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Drakes place 6th at Class A state tournament with loss to Wolverines

Pioneer Staff Report — Thu, 05 Jun 2025 23:22:05 GMT

MANKATO — The Drakes’ postseason run has officially come to an end.

The Blackduck High �� softball team suffered a 4-1 loss to Clinton-Graceville-Beardsley in the consolation bracket finals on Thursday afternoon, ending the season with a sixth-place finish at the Class A state tournament.

BHS earned the right to take on the Wolverines with a 7-4 victory over Wabasso on Wednesday evening in the first round of the consolation bracket.

The Drakes had a tough time putting together hits against CGB’s starting pitcher, Sadie Wright. She allowed just two hits and one run through seven innings, notching six strikeouts and issuing a walk in the process. Jessa Anderson and McKenzie Bullock were the only BHS batters who finished the day with a hit.

However, it was Blackduck who managed to strike first. Heading into the top of the fourth inning tied 0-0, Bullock knocked a single up the middle of the field to send Anderson home.

The Drakes clung on to that slight 1-0 lead until the sixth inning. The Wolverines’ offense finally broke through, scoring four runs for a 4-1 advantage heading into the seventh and final inning.

Blackduck starting pitcher Anna Swedberg allowed two hits and two runs through five innings. She issued three walks and notched five strikeouts. Bullock came in for an inning in relief, giving up three hits and two runs while collecting a strikeout.

Clinton-Graceville-Beardsley 4, Blackduck 1

BHS 000 100 0 — 1-2-1

CGB 000 004 x — 4-5-1

WP: Wright (7.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 6 SO)

LP: Swedberg (5.0 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 5 SO)

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Drakes lose to Rebels, bounce back with consolation win over Rabbits in Class A state tournament

Pioneer Staff Report — Thu, 05 Jun 2025 04:42:29 GMT

MANKATO — The Drakes’ historic 2025 season is not over yet.

Competing in its first-ever Class A state tournament, the eighth-seeded Blackduck High �� softball team had a tough draw to open play on Wednesday afternoon. The Drakes took on first-seeded United South Central in the quarterfinals, suffering a 12-0 loss.

However, BHS bounced back in the consolation bracket later that evening. Blackduck secured a 7-4 victory over Wabasso, earning a spot in the consolation finals at 11:30 a.m. on Thursday. The Drakes will take on the winner of Clinton-Graceville-Beardsley and Moose Lake/Willow River.

Blackduck never trailed in its win against the Rabbits. McKenzie Bullock blasted an RBI double in the top of the first inning to capture an early 1-0 lead and the Drakes added a couple of runs in the third. Isabel Ziegler singled and advanced to second base on an error by the center fielder, sending Kayleigh Lory home in the process. Lory reached home thanks to a sacrifice fly from Bullock in the next at-bat.

Wabasso put its first run on the board in the bottom of the third, but BHS answered in the fourth. Lory flied out to right field to send Kenzie Landis home, handing the Drakes a 4-1 lead.

The Rabbits collected another run in the bottom of the fourth, but again, Blackduck responded immediately. In the top of the fifth, Bella Bloom reached on a fielder’s choice and Jessa Anderson made it to home plate thanks to an error by the shortstop. Izzy Rudnicki hit a sacrifice fly to right field for an additional run, and BHS entered the bottom of the fifth up 6-2.

Wabasso tallied a pair of runs in the fifth to chip away at the deficit, but the Drakes added a security run in the seventh thanks to a sacrifice fly from Brooklyn Nord. Blackduck shut out the Rabbits in the bottom of the seventh to seal the win.

Starting pitcher Anna Swedberg came away with the win for BHS in the circle. She pitched 3 2/3 innings, giving up eight hits, two runs and three walks while collecting three strikeouts. Bullock closed out the final 3 1/3 innings, earning one strikeout while allowing four hits and two runs.

Blackduck finished with 15 hits, led by Ziegler’s four. Bloom, Bullock, Swedberg and Bailee Nord each finished with two or more hits.

Hits were much harder to come by against United South Central earlier in the day. In fact, the Rebels’ starting pitcher Mariah Anderson tossed a perfect five-inning game against the Drakes, racking up 13 strikeouts while giving up zero hits, zero runs and zero walks.

Swedberg took the loss for BHS in the circle, giving up 11 hits and 12 runs (seven earned) through 4 2/3 innings. She issued four walks and collected eight strikeouts.

United South Central 12, Blackduck 0

BHS 000 00 — 0-0-5

USC 321 06 — 12-11-0

WP: Anderson (5.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 13 SO)

LP: Swedberg (4.2 IP, 11 H, 12 R, 7 ER, 4 BB, 8 SO)

Blackduck 7, Wabasso 4

BHS 102 120 1 — 7-15-1

WHS 001 120 0 — 4-12-4

WP: Swedberg (3.2 IP, 8 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 3 SO)

LP: Jennings (7.0 IP, 15 H, 7 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 1 SO)

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Blackduck to begin Class A state tournament after dramatic section championship

Jennifer Parker / Blackduck American — Tue, 03 Jun 2025 15:23:58 GMT

BLACKDUCK – On Wednesday at 1:30 p.m. in Mankato, the Blackduck High �� softball team will do something that’s never been done before in the program’s history.

The Drakes will play in a state tournament game.

Blackduck entered the Section 5A Tournament as the top seed, swiftly advancing to the semifinals with ease. The Drakes beat Laporte 10-0 in their first-round contest, then knocked off No. 4 Mille Lacs 6-3 in the quarterfinals.

In their first of three games against Hill City/Northland, Blackduck lost 7-1 and fell into the elimination bracket. Needing to win three games to clinch their first-ever section title, the Drakes buckled in and went on another winning streak.

It started with a 12-5 win over Pine River-Backus on May 27 to earn at least one rematch with Hill City/Northland, a game in which Blackduck won 7-0.

The Drakes scored four runs in the first inning against the Storm, thanks to an RBI single from Isabel Ziegler and a two-RBI double from Anna Swedberg. Blackduck made it 5-0 via an error in the second inning, helping the Drakes force a do-or-die game for the 5A crown.

The second leg of the Section 5A championship was a little more dramatic. Trailing 1-0, McKenzie Bullock gave BHS the lead in the bottom of the third inning.

Bullock’s big swing preceded a six-run fifth inning. Ziegler and Izzy Rudnicki each doubled in two runs, Brooklyn Nord singled in another, while an error brought home the sixth run.

Hill City-Northland chipped away at the lead, scoring five runs in the top of the sixth inning, but two more insurance runs from the Drakes put the contest out of reach heading into the top of the seventh.

In total, Blackduck had 13 hits in its four-run win over the Storm. Bullock had the championship-securing win in the circle, throwing two innings and allowing zero runs with three strikeouts and a walk. Swedberg started in the circle for the drakes, allowing two earned runs on three hits in five innings with five strikeouts and three walks.

Blackduck (22-3) earned the No. 8 seed in the Class A state tournament and will take on top-seeded United South Central (23-1) on Wednesday afternoon. Due to the weather in Mankato at Caswell Park, all state tournaments were delayed. The Class A state tournament is single elimination with a consolation bracket.

The Drakes also became the first girls program in BHS history to earn a team state bid.

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5 Beavers named to CSC Academic All-District Team

Pioneer Staff Report — Wed, 28 May 2025 15:58:37 GMT

BEMIDJI — Bemidji State softball earned five Academic All-District selections, presented by the College Sports Communicators. Included in the list are three seniors, Aimee Christenson, Alexa Christenson and Molly Houts, along with sophomores Jackie Larsen and Danica Sarff.

A select group of CSC Academic All-District selections move on to be in the running for CSC Academic All-America honors. From Bemidji State, Alexa Christenson and Houts have both been named finalists for the honors. The two excelled both on the field and in the classroom this season and will be voted on for the chance to receive Academic All-America honors.

Aimee Christenson, a senior from Apple Valley, found her name on the list for the second time in her career alongside her sister Alexa Christenson, who has been named three times. Houts is also a repeat honoree, being named to the list as a junior and senior in addition to this season’s nod.

To be nominated, a student-athlete must be at least a sophomore academically and athletically and a starter or important reserve with at least a 3.50 cumulative grade point average (on a 4.0 scale) at her current institution.

The 2025 Academic All-District Softball teams, selected by College Sports Communicators, recognize the nation’s top student-athletes for their combined performances on the diamond and in the classroom. The CSC Academic All-America program separately recognizes softball honorees in four divisions – NCAA Division I, NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III and NAIA.

Academic All-District honorees were considered for advancement to the CSC Academic All-America ballot. Student-athletes selected as CSC Academic All-America finalists will advance to the national ballot to be voted on by CSC members. First-, second- and third-team Academic All-America honorees will be announced June 17, 2025.

The Division II and III CSC Academic All-America programs are partially financially supported by the NCAA Division II and II national governance structures to assist CSC with handling the awards fulfillment aspects for the 2024-25 Divisions II and III Academic All-America programs. The NAIA CSC Academic All-America program is partially financially supported through the NAIA governance structure.

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Maya Tautges, Warriors silence Lumberjacks in Section 8-4A Tournament

Jeremy Millsop — Fri, 23 May 2025 02:47:42 GMT

BRAINERD — Mya Tautges was a walk away from a perfect game.

The senior pitcher was her stellar self as she struck out 13 Bemidji Lumberjack batters to lead the third-seeded Brainerd Warriors to a 10-0, six-inning victory over the No. 6 Lumberjacks Thursday, May 22, during the Section 8-4A Quarterfinals.

Tautges needed just 83 pitches for the complete-game victory. She threw 53 of those for strikes. Tautges now has 200 strikeouts for the season.

“She does what she always does,” Warriors head coach Shane Jordan said. “She hits her spots well. Her change-up is her key. If she can throw her change-up around the plate for strikes, she is almost unhittable. Change-up is key for her and she’s always been good at hitting her spots.

It was a small strike zone to start the game, which is fine, because I think it helps her narrow her focus and she did a heck of a job today.”

After letting her defense get the first two outs, Tautges struck out three straight before walking Ridley Hadrava. She was the only base runner Bemidji could produce. Tautges then silenced the Lumberjacks’ bats for the final 13 outs.

The lefty batter was equally effective on the base paths as she drew an intentional walk in the first inning and then stole second and third before scoring on a wild pitch.

Macy Goral walked as well and scored on consecutive errors. Bemidji finished with six errors, which didn’t help Lumberjack pitcher Karley LaZella. The sophomore struck out six, but allowed 10 runs, two earned, on seven hits and three walks.

“They saved her on Friday (Brainerd defeated Bemidji 13-1 Friday, May 16),” Jordan said. “We saw a different pitcher, so we were kind of excited for that. We enjoy the challenge. She’s a good pitcher, but our confidence is sky high. We want the best from everybody. We’ve said that all year. We tried to play good competition because we want to see the best. We don’t think there is anybody out there that is better than what we’ve seen.”

Brainerd doubled its score in the third when Ruthie Owen reached on an error and scored on Ari Halbert’s single. Jaycee Carlson then drove in Joze Tautges, who finished 3 for 4 with two RBIs. Carlson went 1 for 3 with two RBIs.

“I’d say my confidence is pretty high, just considering at the start of the year to now, I feel like I’ve just grown,” Carlson said. “(Shane) Jordan definitely helps with it, too. He has so much confidence in us when we’re up to bat. It’s been good.”

Mya Tautges walked again in the fourth and stole second. She then scored on an error in left field.

Joze Tautges led off the fifth by getting on base and her courtesy runner scored on a ground ball for a 6-0 advantage.

“We were just getting the ball in play and that’s so important,” Carlson said. “Every ball in play is just another chance for an error by the other team. We have some really good hitters on the team. Ari can just smack them out there, the same with Ruthie and Mya. Then we have base hitters so we can make things happen.”

Ericah Folden led off the sixth with a single. Mya Tautges reached on an error and Goral moved both over with a sacrifice bunt. Owen knocked one run in, and Taytum Goble singled in Mya Tautges. Joze Tautges singled in Goble before Halbert smashed a shot inches from her third home run of the season to end the game.

“I think we did everything well today,” Jordan said. “We pitched well. We hit well. We ran the bases well. I think it was our most complete game of the season. We’ve had games where we’ve gotten breaks, like maybe the other team had an error, but we didn’t get a timely hit. We talked about that lately and we got timely hitting today."

Bemidji will host seventh-seeded Sauk Rapids-Rice at 2:30 p.m. on Friday at the BHS softball field.

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