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Break in the action no bother for Maple Grove softball's Sydney Smith

By Jim Paulsen, Star Tribune, 05/13/14, 6:26PM CDT

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Accolades and plaudits have become common for Maple Grove’s Sydney Smith.

Accolades and plaudits have become common for Maple Grove’s Sydney Smith. She showed why in a nontraditional doubleheader Friday.

The Crimson traveled to Andover that afternoon. The LSU-bound Smith pitched a no-hitter — she had a perfect game through six innings — and faced 22 batters, one more than the minimum, in a 3-0 victory.

Maple Grove traveled to its home field immediately after where it hosted intra-district rival Osseo in an annual game to raise money for breast cancer research.

The break between games had little effect on Smith. She was perfect again through six innings before giving up two hits and a game-tying run in the seventh inning. Before that, she had pitched 13 consecutive hitless, scoreless innings.

With the game tied 1-1, Smith led off the bottom of the eighth inning with a 300-foot walk-off home run.

In all, Smith pitched 15 innings Friday, giving up one run and two hits while striking out 29.

Super Spielmans

Minnesota Vikings General Manager Rick Spielman was not the only member of the family to have a successful week last week.

His son J.D., a sophomore midfielder for the Eden Prairie lacrosse team, scored three goals in back-to-back victories over Edina (14-7) and Blake (6-5). His third goal of the game against Blake came with 30 seconds left in regulation and the score tied 5-5.

Spielman is the Eagles’ leading goal-scorer with 22 and has scored at least twice in each game this season.

True Team track

The State Coaches Association True Team track and field meet will take place Friday and Saturday at Stillwater High School.

The west metro will be represented in Friday’s Class 3A meet, which begins at 4 p.m. Wayzata will be looking to repeat at the boys’ team champion. Lake Conference rival Hopkins, third a year ago, also is in the mix.

In the girls’ meet, Minnetonka, St. Michael-Albertville and wild-card qualifier Eden Prairie all hope to challenge two-time defending champion Lakeville South for the title.

There are no west metro teams in Saturday’s Class 1A and 2A meets.

The True Team state meet, which rewards teams for their overall depth and strength, is different from the Minnesota State High School League state meet, which will be held June 6-7 at Hamline University.

 

Jim Paulsen • 612-673-7737

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