Newman’s 20-Strikeouts Puts Bombers In Section Finals

Carley Cadwell-NSO

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June 2

Dwight Cadwell-NSO

ST. CLOUD- Katrina Newman was so focused on Wednesday it was hard to realize that she was heading to UMD next year to play basketball instead of softball. Yet, she pitched one of the most memorable games of her softball career to lead the Bombers in to the section championship game Thursday afternoon. The Bombers defeated Osakis by a score of 6-0 behind some early timely hitting and a dominating pitching performance from Katrina Newman.

Newman threw her third no-hitter of the Section 5A playoffs and a career high of twenty strikeouts. Her number of strikeouts was one away from recording the most possible in a game that doesn’t go extra innings. Katrina did break the state record for home runs in one season as she helped her own cause with a two run home run in the second inning. Newman’s seventh of the season breaks the record set by Hawley’s Jordan Iverson, who hit six home runs in 2009.

Newman joins four other players that have recorded 20 strikeouts in a seven inning game. Whitney Johnson of Lake Crystal-Wellcome Memorial had 21 strikeouts twice in regulation games last season. “Newman was near perfect today,” head coach Randy Myhre told Northland Sports Online. “She was truly amazing on the mound, and when she pitches the way she did today we are a tough team to beat.”

Barnum jumped out to a 4-0 lead after one inning. Jessica Newman and Katrina Newman both scored on a RBI single from Karianna Duesler. Duesler later scored on an RBI double from Jenna Shanda. Katie Myhre also scored on the double by Shanda. The bottom of the second saw a two-out single from Jessica Newman, which was followed up by a two-run home run to left center field by Katrina Newman. That would be all the runs the Bombers needed as they advance to the sectional championship game back in St. Cloud.

Allainie Hanek-Siltanen and Katie Myhre each finished with two hits for Barnum. Katrina Newman, Duesler, and Shanda all finished with two runs batted in the victory. Barnum advances to the Section 5A championship game at Whitney Park in St. Cloud Thursday at 5:00 pm. The Bombers will face either Osakis or Kimball, who were playing in the consolation bracket as part of the double elimination tournament.

Dwight Cadwell can be reached at dwight@northlandsportsonline.com