Cyclones Softball repeat as Region 13A Champs!
For the 3rd consecutive year, the Cyclones Softball team will be traveling to the NJCAA Division III National Tournament. The Cyclones won the Region Championship by defeating #7 Anoka Ramsey 6-0 in the final.
The Cyclones opened the tournament up by defeating MN West 12-1 in 5 innings. The Lady Jays opened up the scoring in the top of the 1st inning, but that would be the only run the Cyclones allowed in the tournament. The Cyclones runs in all 4 innings cruising to a 12-1 victory. Ashley Pool got the victory allowing 4 hits and striking out 2. Chloe Callahan drove in two runs to lead a balanced attack at the plate.
The Cyclones faced the second seed and 7th ranked Anoka Ramsey in the winner's bracket game to finish off day one. This was a pitchers duel from the start. Shania Kinghorn held the Golden Rams to 4 hits in the game. The Cyclones scored in the 4th inning taking advantage of an error. Sophomore Hannah VanHale doubled to left field scoring Callahan and Shania Kinghorn. The Cyclones struck again in the 6th when Callahan, Shania Kinghorn, and Brianna Kinghorn strung 3 hits together. The Cyclones moved into the championship game with a 4-0 victory. This was also Greg Thorstad's 200th win as the Cyclone coach.
The Region 13A Champion saw a rematch from Thursday afternoon with Anoka Ramsey. The Cyclones jumped out early in game one scoring a run in 3 of the first 4 innings. Kinghorn repeated the previous performance keeping the Golden Rams off the base paths. Anoka Ramsey could only muster 3 hits off Shania. The Cyclones scored 3 in the 5th to extend the lead to 6-0. The Cyclones would maintain their lead claim the Region Title for the 3rd consecutive year.
Shania Kinghorn was named the Tournament MVP. Chelsea Schroeder, Chloe Callahan, and Hannah VanHale joined her on the All Tournament Team.
The Cyclones will travel to Rochester, MN for the National Tournament. The tournament website can be found here: NJCAA Tournament Website
