Barnum Softball Headed To State

Josh Cadwell-NSO

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June 3

Dwight Cadwell-NSO

ST.CLOUD- For the second consecutive day the Barnum Bombers shut out the Silver Streaks from Osakis. The win was aided behind the strong pitching of Katrina Newman, who threw her eighth no-hitter of the season and the fourth of the Section 5A playoffs. The Bombers bested Osakis by a final score of 3-0 and now puts them in the state tournament for the first time since 2002.

“It has been a drought for us to get back to the state tournament, but we did it today,” head coach Randy Myhre told Northland Sports Online. “The kids work so hard at everything they do. These kids are brought up right by solid parents who teach kids the ethics of working hard to achieve their goals. These kids are great people first and athletes second, which shows with their character.”

Barnum scored three runs in the bottom of the third inning and that would be all they needed to cruise to thevictory. Emily Thomsen walked to start the bottom of the third inning. A sacrifice bunt by Paige Rilea then moved Thomson to second base. She advanced to third on a wild pitch, and Claire Rodgers hit a fly ball to shallow right field. However, Thomsen could not score.

With two outs, Allainie Hanek-Siltanen singled to left to drive in Thomsen with the game winning run. Hanek-Siltanen then stole second base and moved to third on an infield single from Jess Newman. Jess then stole second base. A single by Katrina Newman plated two more insurance runs for the Bombers, who will now be making their seventh state appearance and the first since 2002.

“We have worked so hard all season for this,” Katrina Newman told Northland Sports Online. “It’s a special feeling going back to a state tournament in a sport other then basketball.” She continued, “This is a team effort and I am so happy to being going to state in my senior season, this win makes it even more special, something I will always remember!”

Newman and her team mates will face New Ulm Cathedral on Thursday at 11 am in the State Class A tournament at Caswell Park in North Mankato. The win propels the Bombers to an overall record of 23-2 on the year.

Dwight Cadwell can be reached at dwight@northlandsportsonline.com