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Champlin Park comes back to knock off Bemidji 13-3

By Maddie DeBilzan, SportsEngine, 04/22/17, 7:00AM CDT

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The Rebels used a huge third inning to take an 8-3 lead that they would never relinquish.



Champlin Park's Holly Blaska takes a cut against Bemidji April 22. Blaska had a solo home run as well as the final hit in the bottom of the 6th inning to enforce the 10-run rule over the visiting Lumberjacks. Photo by Korey McDermott, SportsEngine



Champlin Park’s bench was quiet until sophomore Holly Blaska smacked a home run in the bottom of the third inning and then the energy spread like a bad case of slumber-party giggles.

The Rebels defeated Bemidji 13-3, but for the first two and a half innings, they were losing.

Apparently, Champlin Park isn’t a morning team. It took three innings against before they finally woke up.

But when the Rebels wake up, you’d better watch out.

Blaska stepped up to the plate at the bottom of the third and smacked a solo home run that acted like the bench’s alarm clock. The girls erupted.

Senior Brittney Davis followed the home run with an RBI to tie the game 3-3. By the end of the inning, after a series of walks and a two-run double by senior Riley Husom, the Rebels (3-2, 2-2) were up 8-3 on the Lumberjacks (1-3).  

Perhaps what’s most unusual about the third-inning momentum shift is that it’s not unusual. Not for Champlin Park. Blaska is used to being her team’s wakeup call, and the girls are used to responding.

“She’s contagious,” Champlin Park coach Bryan Woodley said. “She makes everything fun, and her passion flows to the rest of the kids.”

Freshman pitcher Piper Otto delivered eight strikeouts and contributed two hits. Senior Laura Kloeppner had two singles, a triple and an RBI. Senior Jordan Johnson had three hits, and RBI and a run. 11 Champlin runners made it to base.

Despite the 10 a.m. start, Blaska said she wasn’t tired. Once she’s up, she’s up.

Good thing for Champlin.

Bemidji coach Brad Takkumen knew the Rebels would be a stiff test. Third-inning frustration diffused most of the team’s momentum.

“We wanted our pitcher to work through that inning, but we didn’t support her real well,” he said. “We’ll learn from this and get better.”  


Champlin Park pitcher Piper Otto tossed a complete six-inning game against Bemidji Saturday. Photo by Korey McDermott, SportsEngine

First Report

Champlin Park sophomore Holly Blaska’s home run in the third-inning helped shift the momentum in the Rebels favor in their 13-3 victory over Bemidji on Saturday morning at Champlin Park. 

Blaska's home run sparked a rally in the bottom of the third that saw Champlin Park come back from 3-1 down to lead 8-3. 

The Rebels (3-2, 2-2) held the Lumberjacks (1-3) scoreless for the remaining three innings.

Ten Champlin Park players made it to base. Blaska contributed three singles and three RBI, including the home run, and senior Laura Kloeppner hit a triple, scored two runs and notched a RBI. Pitcher Piper Otto had 8 strikeouts. 

Bemidji’s pitcher Grace Naig struck out two and nine Bemidji batters made it to base.



A Champlin Park player beats a throw to the plate during action against Bemidji April 22. Photo by Korey McDermott, SportsEngine

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Photo by Korey McDermott, SportsEngine

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