Woodbury coach Bob Samson said the Royals’ performance in the Class 3A, Section 4 championship game at North St. Paul High School on Thursday was anything but typical.
Starting pitcher Ashley Mickschl conceded just two runs in a complete game performance and top-seeded Woodbury compiled plenty of runs in a 9-2 victory over second-seeded North St. Paul to secure the section championship and advance to its second state tournament.
But the Royals (17-6) struggled to get off to a good start and were scoreless through the first four innings.
Samson said Woodbury never lost confidence it would find its groove.
“(The team) knew it was a matter of time, but I’m not going to kid you, that’s not typically what we like to do,” Samson said while laughing.
The Royals’ slow start included allowing the Polars (16-6) to put the first run on the scoreboard in the first inning as a blistering hit up the middle from sophomore pitcher Megan Rubbelke brought home junior center fielder Lily Langevin from third base.
Woodbury woke up in the fifth.
Left fielder Cameron Veenbaas shook off a 0-for-2 performance in her earlier at-bats to hit a double and drive in junior outfielder Rylie Lonetti, sparking a five-run outburst. The Royals added four more runs in the sixth inning.
Veenbaas said she knew the hot bats would continue.
“I thought we’d keep it going because everyone was pumped up,” she said. “I could just feel it.”
When asked what she was feeling, Veenbaas said she couldn’t describe it.
The sophomore, however, said that she was “speechless” about the Royals reaching the Class 3A state tournament.
Mickschl had no problem finding the words to describe her pitching performance. She gave up five hits, walked three and struck out three in 7 innings. The sophomore was particularly dominant from the second through the fifth innings, keeping every Polars’ batter from reaching the base paths.
“I thought it went pretty well,” she said.
“Overall our team did extremely well, so it’s always nice to have a good team backing you up," Mickschl added.
Some pitchers might become frustrated with receiving no run support early in the game, but Mickschl said she remained “calm and collected.”
Samson likely wouldn’t have minded if Mickschl showed some stress, saying she becomes more resilient when irked.
“When she gets frustrated, she gets tougher because she’s one of the fiercest competitors I’ve ever coached, and if there’s anyone in the state of Minnesota that puts in more time than she does, I want to meet them,” Samson said.
Woodbury last reached the Class 3A state tournament in 2006, returning home with a consolation championship.
Swanson said the Royals could capture a bigger title this time.
“No doubt in mind they could win state,” Swanson said. “With the chemistry that we have and the leadership that we have, no doubt in my mind we could.”
Winning a state title might require Woodbury to avoid any more atypical performances.
Woodbury players posing for a photo with the they won trophy for winning the Class 3A, Section 4 tournament. Woodbury ended up winning 9-2. Photo by Chris Juhn
First Report
Sophomore Ashley Mickschl allowed two runs and five hits while striking out five in pitching a complete game to help top-seeded Woodbury punch its ticket to the state tournament with a 9-2 victory over second-seeded North St. Paul in the Class 3A, Section 4 championship game Thursday afternoon at North St. Paul High School.
The Polars (16-6), ranked No. 7 in the Class 3A coaches poll, opened the scoring in the first inning when junior center fielder Lily Langevin scored on a single to center field from sophomore pitcher Megan Rubbelke.
North St. Paul held the lead until the Royals (17-6) erupted for five runs the bottom of the fifth.
Sophomore left fielder Cameron Veenbaas started the rally with a double, which scored junior center fielder Rylie Lonetti.
Senior shortstop Madison Yochum singled to right field, but Polars senior right fielder Abby Glaus appeared to stumble while tracking down what appeared to be a routine fly ball and freshman right fielder Amanda Dickmeyer took advantage to score.
A single to left field from junior third baseman Alexis Jacobs drove in Veenbaas, and senior second baseman Melissa Johnson followed with a single to right field that scored Yochum and Mickschl.
Woodbury added four more runs in the sixth with Mickschl, Yochum, senior first baseman Eleanor Blanchfield and sophomore pinch-hitter Ally Hjort driving in runs to give the Royals a commanding 9-1 lead.
North St. Paul got one run back in the seventh as senior first baseman Jordan Zupan scored from third on a sacrifice grounder by senior shortstop Kayla Koemptgen.
Rubbelke started in the circle for the Polars, but lasted 5 2/3 innings. She took the loss after giving up nine runs on 15 hits and finished with three strike outs and three walks. Junior Madeline Greer came in for relief and struck out the only batter she faced.
