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Class 4A, Section 5 championship: Centennial just gets by Maple Grove

By Cheryl A. Myers, SportsEngine, 06/02/22, 7:15PM CDT

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The Cougars made it to state on the back of a narrow 1-0 victory over the Crimson.

Centennial's Helene Krage pitched a no-hitter and tallied 13 strikeouts in a 1-0 win over Maple Grove.  The Cougars advance to next week's state tournament in Mankato for the third time since 2018. Photo by Cheryl A. Myers, SportsEngine

Centennial's Helene Krage pitched a no-hitter and tallied 13 strikeouts in a 1-0 win over Maple Grove. The Cougars advance to next week's state tournament in Mankato for the third time since 2018. Photo by Cheryl A. Myers, SportsEngine

Centennial and Maple Grove met for the fifth straight year in the Class 4A, Section 5 championship game, trading wins in the first four meetings. But this time Centennial repeated as Section 5 Champions with a 1-0 win at Centennial High School on Thursday afternoon.  The close game was nothing new for the Northwest Suburban Conference foes with their last five games decided by just one run a piece.

Helene Krage pitched a no-hitter for the Cougars but struggled in the first inning, walking three batters before getting out of the inning unscathed. Krage settled in and completed the game with 13 strikeouts and gave up just one more walk earning the win. Crimson junior pitcher Maddie Whilm matched the early pitching dual and added nine strikeouts of her own, allowing just two hits in the contest.

A pair of doubles by Centennial seniors Alex Just and Bryn Ruhberg in the bottom of the fourth inning were the difference, with Ruhberg earning the RBI.

Centennial advances to next week's state tournament for the third time since 2018.

Centennial's Alexa Just slides in safe for a double in the bottom of the fourth inning. Just scored the games only run on a double by team mate Bryn Ruhberg. Photo by Cheryl A. Myers, SportsEngine

Centennial's Alexa Just slides in safe for a double in the bottom of the fourth inning. Just scored the games only run on an RBI double by team mate Bryn Ruhberg. Photo by Cheryl A. Myers, SportsEngine

Maple Grove's Maddie Whilm tallied 9 strikeouts and allowed just one walk and two hits in the Class 4A, Section 5 championship game at Centennial High School. Photo by Cheryl A. Myers, SportsEngine

Maple Grove's Maddie Whilm tallied 9 strikeouts and allowed just one walk and two hits in the Class 4A, Section 5 championship game at Centennial High School. Photo by Cheryl A. Myers, SportsEngine

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