Only seniors will be considered for the Ms. Softball award at the end of this season. But Rosemount sophomore Jessa Snippes is not so subtly making a case for herself as one of the state’s best players.
In Rosemount’s 4-0 start this spring, Snippes has eight hits in nine at-bats with four doubles, a home run and nine RBIs. When she’s not creating runs for her team, she’s keeping opposing hitters off the bases. In 25 innings pitched, she has won three games while striking out 45 batters and walking only seven.
Snippes and the Irish play at Lakeville North on Wednesday in a matchup of South Suburban Conference powers. The Panthers (3-1, 3-1) will be looking to bounce back this week from an 11-2 loss to Prior Lake on April 22.
Snippes isn’t the Irish’s only weapon. Junior Maizie Anderson has nine strikeouts in five innings pitched, sophomore outfielder Macy Fry has a home run and senior shortstop Izzy Yahr anchors a solid infield defense.
The Panthers return seven starters from a team that was disappointed in the 2019 Class 4A, Section 1 championship game, and had state championship goals last year before the season was wiped out by the pandemic.
But the Panthers still are trying to find a way to replace pitcher Kaitlyn Young, who now plays at Eastern Kentucky. Senior Alexis Haglund pitched the first three games as Lakeville North went 3-0 and outscored opponents 35-8.
Senior catcher McKinley Malecha, who will play next season at Nebraska, is one of the state’s best, and center fielder Jordan Ahrenstorff and Emma Porcin give the Panthers a strong outfield.