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Wes Vork-NSO

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June 12

Dwight Cadwell-NSO

MANKATO- One pitch was all the New Life Academy Eagles needed to shut out the Barnum Bombers in the Class A girls’ softball championship game. The winning pitch was hit by Eagles’ Rebekah Schmidt, who laced it over the left field fence for a two-run home run and the 2-0 victory.

“They wanted some revenge,” head coach Randy Myhre stated to Northland Sports Online. “They were joking with us about the way we have beaten them on the hard-court over the past few seasons, and that they wanted this game in the worst way.” Myhre continued, “We lost to the best team today. Their pitcher was so amazing; we don’t see that type of pitching up north.”

Schmidt hit a two-run home run in the top of the first inning to give the Eagles a 2-0 lead and that would turn out to be the only scoring of the game. Leadoff batter Lauren St. John reached on a Barnum error and scored as Schmidt hit her home run to left. With a two run lead, junior pitcher Schmidt took over on the mound and threw strikes to keep the Eagles ahead.

“She was great; she is the best pitcher we have faced,” Katrina Newman told Northland Sports Online. “We had a hard time all game long making good contact because her rise ball was so hard to hit.” Newman continued, “It’s been amazing to come down here and play in the state tournament I have been very fortunate in my sports career.”

Newman had an outstanding state tournament on the pitchers mound for Barnum, throwing her ninth no hitter of the season in the 4-0 win over Menahga. The championship game saw the Eagles getting four hits in the win and one of the runs scored was earned. Newman struck out nine and walked one batter in the loss.

Schmidt struck out fourteen Bombers in the win, giving up only three hits in the game and walking none. Schmidt also had two of the four Eagle hits. Barnum’s best chance came in the sixth inning when Paige Rilea singled to lead off the inning.
Jessica Newman then hit a line shot to right center field, in which an outstanding defensive play by Andrea Peterfaso robbed Newman of an extra base hit and a possible big inning. Taking Newman’s hit was only the beginning of the Eagles’ defensive play. Peterfaso then fired the ball to 1st base to double off Rilea and complete the double play.

Katrina Newman singled in the second inning off Schmidt and was stranded at second base after a Myhre sacrifice moved her there.
The only other hit was a double to left field from Karianna Duesler. However, again, she was stranded at second and unable to advance.

The Bombers finish the season 25-3 overall and their second runner-up finish in the girls state softball tournament. Barnum finished second back in 1992. Northland Sports Online would like to congratulate Randy Myhre and his coaching staff along with all the players and parents on the success this season. NSO also would like to congratulate Katrina Newman as her high school sports career has ended for Barnum but will continue at UMD next season.

Dwight Cadwell can be reached at dwight@northlandsportsonline.com