Carlton Girls Come Up Just Short Of State Tournament

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May 31, 2012

Dwight Cadwell-NSO

Just a year ago the Carlton Bulldogs girls softball team made a deep run into the Section 7A playoffs only to fall the section champion Cherry Tigers by a 2-1 score. Now for the second straight year, the Tigers defeated the Bulldogs, ending a hope of a state tournament appearance as the Tigers beat the Bulldogs by a score of 3-1.

The Tiger, who had defeated Carlton on Tuesday in the double elimination tournament once again jumped out in front early as the Tigers scored two runs in the bottom of the first inning when Kristin Lahti connected on a two run home run that scored DeAnn Bjerklie, who had singled with one out.

The Tigers added one more run in the second inning and found themselves in front by a score of 3-0. Breann Gruenhagen scored the third run for the Tigers as she scored on a single off the bat of Angel Dahl.

The Bulldogs cut the lead to 3-1 in the top of the third inning when Brooke Camps scored on a RBI single from Melinda Nelson but the Bulldogs could get no closer as the Tigers shut the door and make their second consecutive state softball appearance.

Shania Novak was the winning pitcher for Cherry who improves to 23-0 on the season. They now advance to face Sundberg in the state opening round of the Class A state softball tournament. The Bulldogs season again ends one game short of their goal, but it was another great season from Carlton as they finish with a record of 16-6.

Dwight Cadwell can be reached at dwight@northlandsportsonline.com