Vikings finish fourth at State

Kelly Hams named to All Tournament Team

By ROGER JEROME, Sports Correspondent

The Littlefork-Big Falls softball team had its bid to play for the Class A State Title end Friday morning when Maple Lake scored runs in the fifth and sixth innings to edge the Vikings 3-1 in the semifinal game. In the third place game, the Vikings trailed Wabasso 7-0 in the seventh inning. The Vikings put together a rally but fell short losing 7-5 with the tying runs on base.
“We just didn’t make our own breaks,” L-BF Coach Mike Imhof said regarding the Maple Lake game. “We left six runners in scoring position and that was the difference in the game.”
The Vikings got the early lead in the first inning when Kelly Hams hit a two out single and scored on a double by Whitney Junker. Maple Lake evened the score in the second inning and the score remained 1-1 until Maple Lake came to bat in the bottom of the fifth. First baseman Molly Schauffler led off the inning with a single, and after a stolen base, a fielder’s choice, and a wild pitch, scored the go ahead run. Catcher Caitlyn Medecke applied the tag but Schauffler was called safe on a close play.
“The wind was blowing so bad we had to delay the game because Caitlyn got sand in her eyes,” said Imhof. In the sixth inning, Maple Lake added an insurance run when catcher Andrea Rachel scored from second base on a wild pitch. When the ball hit the backstop, it struck concrete used as a base for the bleachers. The ball then careened out past the third base line, allowing Rachel to score from second base.
The Vikings had three hits in the game with Hams, Junker and Erica McGuire getting one apiece. Hams had four strikeouts and gave up five hits in the game.
In the third place game, the Vikings spotted Wabasso a run in the second inning before the Rabbits scored five third-inning runs batting through the order. In the inning, the Rabbits had four hits and were able to take advantage of their opportunities to build a lead.
“It was a bad inning,” said Imhof. “They hit the ball and we just couldn’t make a play,” he said. Wabasso added another run in the fourth and with two outs, Imhof moved Hams to second base and inserted Carlie Anderson as pitcher.
The Vikings showed some life in the sixth inning when McGuire led off with a hit. Kristi Bloom reached on an error and Emily Trappe singled to load the bases with nobody out. Hams and Junker both hit sharp ground balls to the pitcher which resulted in force outs at home plate. Medecke popped out to end the inning and the game appeared all but over.
But in the seventh inning Hannah Larson and McGuire singled around two outs and Larson came home on a double by Bloom. Emily Trappe walked to load the bases and Hams and Junker then hit consecutive two run singles to make the score 7-5. With Junker on first base, Medecke singled to put the tying run on base. Bethany Crane then hit a long fly ball to left field but the ball was caught short of the fence to end the Vikings rally.
“I thought at first, Bethany’s hit might clear the fence but it came up short,” said Imhof. “I was proud that we went down fighting and showed a lot of character.”
Shortly after the game, Hams was named to the All Tournament team. Hams and Crane are the seniors on the 2008 team.
“Kelly and Bethany will be missed,” Imhof said. “We are fortunate to have a strong nucleus returning.”
Kelly Millerbernd, Emily Trappe, Caitlyn Medecke, Whitney Junker, Carlie Anderson, Erica McGuire, Hannah Larson and Kristi Bloom will return as players with extensive varsity experience in 2009.