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Anoka 1, Chisago Lakes 0

The Wildcat softball team made a quick exit from this year's section playoffs, falling 1-0 to the Anoka Tornadoes last Thursday, May 27 at Chisago Lakes. The Tornadoes scored the game's only run in the top of the third inning. The first batter singled, was sacrificed to second and score on a double. Two straight groundouts limited any further damage.

Mackenzie Turk walked in the second inning and Amanda Houle walked in the third to provide the only two Wildcat base runners in the game's first six innings. Houle stole second after her two-out walk, but ended up stranded there.

Kasey Eichten broke up the no-hitter with a single to right to lead off the bottom of the seventh. Danielle Tossey walked one out later to put runners on first and second, and it looked like the Wildcats were finally going to break through. But the next batter hit into a double play, and the game and the Wildcat season were over, just like that.

"Rachel Nelson pitched one of the best games of her career," said Wildcat co-head coach Herb Jangor. "She did everything we needed her to do." Indeed, the senior gave up six hits, struck out three and walked none. One of the hallmarks of Nelson's four years as a starter was her excellent control.

"The game was well-played by both teams," said Jangor. "Their pitcher pretty well shut us down. Both teams played well defensively. The difference was that they came up with one big hit and we didn't."

The Wildcats finished the season with a 9-12 overall record. They finished tied for sixth in the North Suburban Conference with a record of 8-6.

The Wildcat softball banquet takes place Monday, June 2. Next week's Press will include a list of team and conference awards.

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