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Class 3A: Anoka advances to finals; Maple Grove, Eastview to battle in semifinals

By Jim Paulsen, Star Tribune, 06/04/15, 5:00PM CDT

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Updates from Thursday's games at Caswell Park

SEMIFINAL GAMES

Anoka vs, Becker (3 p.m.)


Eastview vs. Maple Grove (5 p.m.)


QUARTERFINAL GAMES

Becker 5, Farmington 4

Lindsey Lorette’s two-out, walk-off single scored her twin-sister Samantha from second base, capping a three-run, seventh-inning rally and lifting Becker past Farmington. The Bulldogs (22-1) trailed 4-2 entering the inning but tied the game on a two-run home run by junior second baseman Hailey Fitzpatrick. Three more singles ensued, the last one being Lindsey Lorette’s game-winner. Farmington (16-9) got two hits, including a home run, from shortstop Olivia Hazelbaker.


Anoka 3, Chanhassen 0

The pitching combination of Molly Swenson and Amber Elliott has become a weapon for the Tornadoes. Elliott, a sophomore who is the regular starter, strained her ACL in her right knee – her push-off leg when pitching – in early May. Since then, Swenson, a sophomore, has taken over as the starter with Elliott pitching in relief. The combination worked well in the section playoffs and again in Thursday’s quarterfinals. Swenson earned the victory by pitching four inning and scattering three hits. Elliot came in to pitch the final three innings to earn the save, giving up one hit. Anoka improved to 23-1-1 on the season, one victory shy of the team record. Chanhassen (22-4), which came into the game with a reputation for offense, was shut out for the first time this season.


Eastview 7, Buffalo 1

Buffalo was making its first state tournament appearance. Eastview made sure that was the only highlight of the day for the Bison. The Lightning stormed to a 6-0 lead after three innings and rode the arm of All-Metro pitcher Kerrigan Hoshaw to victory. Hoshaw retired the first 10 batters she faced and finished with a three-hitter, striking out 11. She also hit a home run, as did teammate Abby Lien. Buffalo (19-7) got two hits, including a home run, from freshman Emily Hansen.


Maple Grove 1, Woodbury 0

Apparently, Sydney Smith is enough to overcome a sub-par performance. Smith, the two-time Star Tribune Metro Player of the Year, hit a first inning home run and pitched a three-hit shutout, sending the Crimson (23-2) to the semifinals. Maple Grove had numerous chances to add to its lead, but base-running blunders and the inability to get a clutch hit kept the game close. “A lot of it was Woodbury playing good defense, but a lot was our mistakes, too,” Maple Grove coach Jim Koltes said. “We made three base-running mistakes we normally don’t make.” Smith struck out 14 batters and worked out of a jam in the top of the seventh as Woodbury got the first two runners on base. “That’s the kind of player she is,” Koltes said. “She has another gear.”

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