Chuck Fitzer
Recent Stories
Sports
‘Cats still going strong in conference play
Anna Zaruba went five for five and drove in six runs to lead the Wildcats to a 13-5 rout over the Zimmerman Thunder Tuesday, April 23 at Chisago Lakes High School. The Wildcats pounded out 21 hits against the Thunder pitcher. Other hitting stars for the Wildcats included Jesa Leritz, who went five for five with two doubles and scored three runs; Meagan Anderson, who had three doubles in four at bats, drove in two runs and scored two; Jess Dittel-Hoefler, who had three hits, including a double, drove in three runs and scored three runs; Courtney Preston, who drove in two runs with a double; and Sam Johnson, who went three for five and scored twice.
Sports
‘Cats getting back on track
The Wildcats pounded out 12 hits and took advantage of six walks as they silenced the Zimmerman Thunder 13-3 Tuesday, April 23 at Pat Collins Field at Chisago Lakes High School, in a game shortened to five innings because of the ten-run rule.
Sports
Area athletes perform at Hamline
Junior distance runner Biruk Killeen won two races at the 12-team Pine City Chengwatana Invite. He came in first in the 800-meter run with a time of 2:07.76 and led the way in the 1600-meter run with a time of 4:42.93.
Sports
North Branch beats ‘Cats 1-0 on walk off
With the bases loaded and no outs in the bottom of the eighth inning, Viking Tanner Helin hit a grounder back Wildcat pitcher Ian Larsen, and the throw was too late to get Noah Thorsen at home, giving the Vikings a 1-0 win over the Wildcats at North Branch High School Monday, April 15. Helin started for the Vikings and went five innings. He allowed four hits, walked three and struck out eight. Andrew Orf picked up the win with three innings of scoreless relief. He allowed two hits, walked three, and struck out two. Xavier Taylor started for the Wildcats. He allowed five hits, walked two and struck out seven. Larsen took the loss in relief, walking the first three batters he faced before Helin grounded it back to him to drive in the winning run. Dom Torrez and Cole Stilp had two hits apiece for the Wildcats, and Viking Lucas Goggin also had two hits, including a double.
Sports
CL claws back from four run deficit to beat NB
There is never a dull moment when the Chisago Lakes Wildcats and North Branch Vikings clash in softball, and this past Monday’s game was no exception. Anna Zaruba’s two-run double in the top of the seventh inning gave the Wildcats a 5-4 lead, and they went on to beat the Vikings 6-4. Zaruba pitched a complete game to pick up the win, allowing four runs (three earned) on six hits. She struck out ten and didn’t walk anybody. For the Vikings, Hannah Bernier – who had a shutout through five innings – took the complete game loss. She allowed six earned runs on ten hits, walked three and struck out seven.
Sports
CL softball hitting on all cylinders early
Last Saturday, April 20, the Wildcats headed down to Caswell Park in North Mankato, site of their second-place finish at the state tournament last year, to play in the Mankato West Scarlet Invitational. Mankato West won two games in the tournament, giving head coach Don Krusemark his 500th career victory.
NEWS
Franconia Township annual meeting
The Franconia Township annual meeting, held Tuesday, March 12 at the Franconia Town Hall spent most of the peoples’ time on the most popular topic on the agenda — the future town hall. Supervisor Owen Kuhnly reported that progress has recently been made on the site plan, which needs to be completed before bids can be solicited. Potential funding sources were also discussed.
Sports
Wildcats stunned by SSP in playoff opener
Roddick Simons had the most prolific game of his career at Aldrich Arena on Friday, February 23, with four goals and an assist. Unfortunately, Simons plays for the South St. Paul Packers, and his scoring binge led the sixth-seeded Packers to a 5-3 upset of the third-seeded Wildcats in the quarterfinal round of the Section 4A boys’ hockey playoffs. The loss abruptly ended the season for the Wildcats, who appeared to be poised to make a deep playoff run.
Sports
Both wrestling teams fall in quarters
The third-seeded Wildcat wrestling team opened the Section 4AA team section tournament with a 48-30 win over sixth-seeded St Paul Humboldt-Open World Learning. The tournament was held Saturday, February 17 at South St. Paul High School.
Sports