Postseason softball games often come down to one swing of the bat. You just never know when it’s going to be or who it is going to come from.
Eighth-grader Rowan Faber, the No. 9 hitter in the Martin County West batting order, belted a 3-1 pitch over the center field fence at Caswell Park in North Mankato for the only run of the game as the Mavericks won 1-0 over New Ulm Cathedral in an elimination game in the Section 2A tournament.
The win gives MCW its 21st win of the season (the Mavericks are 21-4); its second of the tournament over one of the state’s top programs; coach Darrell Ziegler’s 400th career win; and a spot in Thursday’s championship round vs. United South Central, which is unbeaten not only in the tournament, but for the season. The Rebels are 22-0.
Faber’s homer came with one out in the third inning and stood up the rest of the way as Maddie Carlson gave another great performance in the pitcher’s circle. The sophomore allowed five hits, did not walk a batter and struck out five.
Cathedral advanced only one runner as far as third base and she was erased on a heads-up play by junior third baseman Courtney Anderson.
Ava Schmid led off the Greyhounds’ sixth inning with a double and she advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt. The next batter hit a grounder to Anderson at third base, who faked a throw to first, drawing the runner off third base. The Mavericks were able to execute the rundown perfectly and eliminate the lead runner. The final out of the inning came on a fly ball to Faber in left field.
After the Mavericks were retired in order in the top of the seventh, MCW got the first out of the bottom half of the inning on a line drive Courtney Anderson at third.
An error put tying run on base for Cathedral, but Carlson and the Mavericks ended the threat on a pop up to Emily Anderson at shortstop and a grounder to Courtney Anderson at third.
Courtney Anderson had MCW’s only hit other than Faber’s homer, a single with one out in the second.
Abbey Hillesheim took the pitching loss for the Greyhounds as she went four innings, allowing one run on two hits, walking one and striking out four. Jayde Altermatt went the rest of the way, not allowing a hit or walk and striking out six.
Martin County West 001 000 0 – 1
New Ulm Cathedral 000 000 0 - 0
Notes
Ziegler’s record as the Mavericks coach is 400-236, a .629 percentage.
The Greyhounds have made 19 appearances in the state softball tournament.
New Ulm Cathedral was the reigning state champion and has won nine state titles, the most of any school in state history.
Whoever wins the Section 2A tournament, either MCW or USC, will make its first trip to state.
The Section 2AA tournament will play its championship round at Caswell Thursday. Jordan, which was the No. 7 seed in the 15-team field, is the final unbeaten team. Lake Crystal Wellcome Memorial has one loss. Jordan defeated LCWM 5-1 on Saturday.
New Ulm is the final unbeaten in Section 2AAA, which is also scheduled to wrap up Thursday at Caswell. Mankato East has one loss. The Eagles beat the Cougars 7-3 on Saturday.
Section 2A
First round
Single elimination
Wednesday, May 21
United South Central, bye
Springfield 18, Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton 6
Sleepy Eye 8, Sleepy Eye Saint Mary’s 3
Cleveland 14, Alden-Conger/Glenville-Emmons 2
New Ulm Cathedral 10, Heron Lake-Okabena/Fulda 0
Mountain Lake Area/Comfrey 15, Madelia 0
Martin County West 14, Minnesota Valley Lutheran 2
Thursday, May 22
Nicollet 9, Red Rock Central/Westbrook-Walnut Grove 5
Double elimination
Thursday, May 22
United South Central 1, Springfield 0
Sleepy Eye 3, Cleveland 1
New Ulm Cathedral 7, Mountain Lake Area/Comfrey 4
Friday, May 23
Martin County West 5, Nicollet 1
Saturday, May 24
At Caswell Park, North Mankato
Winner’s bracket
Martin County West 3, New Ulm Cathedral 0
United South Central 2, Sleepy Eye 1
United South Central 2, Martin County West 1
Elimination bracket
Nicollet 6, Mountain Lake Area/Comfrey 3
Cleveland 6, Springfield 0
New Ulm Cathedral 4, Cleveland 3
Sleepy Eye 8, Nicollet 7
Tuesday, May 27
At Caswell Park, North Mankato
Elimination bracket
New Ulm Cathedral 6, Sleepy Eye 1
Martin County West 1, New Ulm Cathedral 0
Thursday, May 29
At Caswell Park, North Mankato
Championship
United South Central (22-0) vs. Martin County West (21-4), 5 p.m.
Second game to follow if necessary, 7 p.m.