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Anoka strengthens its control of Northwest Suburban Conference against Blaine

By Peter Odney, SportsEngine, 05/02/17, 6:00AM CDT

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The Tornadoes' 3-0 victory over the Bengals was their ninth-straight, keeping Anoka undefeated.




Anoka's catcher LeeAnna Nevin readies for the tag at home as Blaine threatens to score in the bottom of the first inning. The Tornadoes took down the Bengals 3-0 in a Northwest Suburban undefeated matchup. Photo by Cheryl Myers, SportsEngine


In one swing, Kailee Hasbrook transformed her freshman season from a typical get-your-feet-wet initiation into a full-fledged campaign for a starting spot on one of the state’s top teams.

In the top of the fifth inning of Tuesday’s game against Northwest Suburban Conference rival Blaine (7-2, 4-1), Hasbrook laced a shot to center field that cleared the fence with yards to spare, giving the Tornadoes a 2-0 lead, which evolved into a 3-0 victory once junior outfielder Erin Micklin also scored a run in the fifth.

“I was just expecting to get on base, but (I) ended up being better than that today,” Hasbrook said.  “I was just thinking ‘wow that felt really good. (Now) just run.’”

Anoka (9-0, 6-0) coach Toni Jesinoksi commented on Hasbrook, who has been a rotational player to this point.

“She just needed a little confidence,” Jesinoksi said. “I have three people that I’m rotating at second base, and it mainly comes down to what we’re going to do offensively.”

Jesinoksi added that she believes it won’t be Hasbrook’s only home run of the season.

“She stepped in and showed what she could do,” she said.

The three-run fifth, sparked by Hasbrook’s laser, provided Anoka starter Amber Elliott with a small margin for error, a cushion that senior catcher LeeAnna Nevin said came at the perfect time for her battery-mate.

“Our pitcher was having a tough time out there, she was super nervous, and those runs gave us insurance,” Nevin said.

The Tornadoes are currently ranked No. 3 in Class 4A in the Minnesota High School Fastpitch Softball Coaches Association poll, with the Bengals close behind, tied for No. 5 with Farmington.

Another safeguard for Elliott happens to be Nevin herself, who’s sense of humor and centered approach to the game make her the top option to catch for Elliott.

“I go tell her jokes,” Nevin said of how she spends her time visiting with Elliott in the circle. “It’s really dumb stuff, and she’s hilarious and laughs at stupid things like that,” Nevin explained, noting that the ‘why did the chicken cross the road?’ gag is in line with her usual jokes for Elliott.  

Jesinoski took note of the connection between catcher and pitcher.

“She keeps her grounded, I think,” Jesinoski said on the chemistry between Nevin and Elliott, an Augustana (S.D.) commit.

Jesinoski stated some of Elliott’s nervousness from the circle today may have stemmed from acquaintances from Blaine playing against her.

“Today Amber had just a little bit of anxiety,” Jesinoski said. “She’s got a lot of friends on (Blaine), so that kind of amps it up a little bit.”

Malorie Stone was the bright spot for the Bengals, both in the circle and at the plate. The senior gave up just four hits in 6 1/3 innings of work and swatted two singles in the loss.


Blaine outfielders collide in center field but come up with the out. Photo by Cheryl Myers, SportsEngine

First Report

Freshman infielder Kailee Hasbrook cracked a two-run home run in the top of the fifth, and junior outfielder Erin Micklin also scored a run in the same inning to lead Anoka (9-0, 6-0) to a 3-0 win over Blaine on Tuesday night at Blaine High School in Northwest Suburban Conference action.

Senior pitcher and Augustana commit Amber Elliott tossed a complete game shutout for the Tornadoes, ranked No. 3 in Class 4A in the Minnesota High School Fastpitch Softball Coaches Association poll, striking out 11 and surrendering just four hits.

Malorie Stone was the bright spot for the No. 5-4A Bengals (7-2, 4-1) both in the circle and at the plate, as the senior gave up just four hits in 6 1/3 innings of work and swatted two singles in the loss.

Photo Gallery


Kailee Hasbrook rounds third on a two run homer in the fifth inning. Photo by Cheryl Myers, SportsEngine

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