Bulldogs Advance In Section 7A Softball Playoffs

Wes Vork-NSO

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Wes Vork-NSO

COHASSET – Two games into the Section 7A softball playoffs and so far the results are the same as the regular season for the Carlton Bulldogs, two convincing victories. In opening round action on Tuesday the Bulldogs defeated Hill City by a 12-2 score in five innings. Thursday saw Section 7a second round playoff action move to Portage Park in Cohasset with the Bulldogs defeating Little Fork-Big Falls by a score of 8-3.

The LF-BF Vikings opened the top of the first by putting runners on first and third with only one out, but a heads up play by Amanda Eggert at third base got the second out and helped set the Vikings down without scoring. A sharply hit ball to third was fielded cleanly by Eggert who rather than throw to first, caught the base runner a couple of step off of third base and tagger her out, giving the Bulldogs a bit of breathing room to get out of the inning.

Carlton wasted no time getting to work on offense when leadoff hitter Brooke Camps worked a 3-2 count in to a walk and was knocked in by Clarissa Nelson.

The Bulldogs added three more runs when Cristina Eggert, Amanda Eggert, and Camps all scored in a four hit second inning. Clarissa Nelson doubled and scored in the bottom of the third and the Bulldogs were nicely in control with a 5-0 lead after three.

The Vikings would score a run in the top of the fourth inning but Carlton responded with three more runs in their half of the fourth with runs by Camps, Alana Groth, and Megan Nelson to put the game out of reach.

LF-BF would score a run in each of the fifth and seventh innings but it was nowhere near enough to challenge the high powered offense of the Bulldogs who settled in for the 8-3 win.

After the game Carlton Head Coach Dennis Johnson told Northland Sports Online that they used the same approach to the playoffs as they have used all year long. “Our motto this year is “Be Focused” and we have tried to come into every game with the same focus regardless of the opponent. We don’t underestimate anyone and play hard, and it has worked for us. And the girls are having a lot of fun.”

With the win, the Lady Bulldogs advance to the double elimination round of the Section 7A playoffs, which will be held at Braun Park on May 31 with the Championship game slated for June 2. Carlton will open the action with a 1:00pm game against Mesabi East. Floodwood will take on Cherry in the other 1:00pm game with the winners and losers playing each other at 3:00pm.

Mesabi East advanced with an 8-5 win over Silver Bay. Floodwood beat Nashwauk-Keewatin by a score of 6-2 and Cherry dominated Chisholm 10-0 in five innings.

Wes Vork can be reached at wes@northlandsportsonline.com