“We wanted to go in and get some revenge,” East Ridge first baseman Paige Zender said. “We just knew we had to keep fighting.”

After the top of the first inning, it looked like East Ridge might have a chance to pull off the upset against the top-seeded Irish. The Raptors scratched across two early runs with only a hit and two Rosemount errors. Rose said it was probably a combination of nerves and the wet field conditions as some rain fell in the early goings of Friday’s game.

“When we have games like this, we have to remember they’re kids,” Rose said. “We kind of sit back and know that we can hit and we’re going to come through.”

The confidence in the offense came to fruition in the bottom of the first inning. Five of the first six Rosemount batters reached base, with four of them coming around to score. Snippes drove in the first Irish run and came around to score to put Rosemount ahead.

“It’s like playing against a college team,” East Ridge coach Troy Gross said. “They’re tough up and down that lineup.”

Right behind Snippes in the order was Zender. The first baseman and Iowa State commit was also lethal in the middle of the order. She reached base all four times on Friday, driving in two runs and scoring a pair of runs herself. Most of those at-bats came with Snippes on base.

“It’s the best feeling hitting behind her,” Zender said. “I know that when in doubt, I’m always going to have someone on base. That’s my favorite situation as a hitter. I would want anyone to hit behind her, but I’m glad to hit behind her.”

East Ridge did punch back at times and got within a run in the fourth inning. However, the Raptors bats went radio silent in the game’s final three innings. Snippes finished the game retiring 10 consecutive batters.

“I think she was a little bit frustrated early on,” Rose said. “Once she got rolling and got some outs in a row, she really settled in great.”

Though East Ridge came up short in its quest for a second consecutive section championship, Gross felt like his team exceeded expectations after graduating 15 seniors from last year’s team.

“I’m very impressed with our group,” Gross said. “To get back to the championship game and play Rosemount a second time is more than I could have ever dreamed of.”

Meanwhile, Rosemount heads to the state tournament with a bevy of success, including Zender, who hit a grand slam as a sophomore in the state title game to catapult the Irish to a Class 4A crown. 

“I think it’s good that the majority of us have played there before,” Zender said. “It’s going to be really fun and we’re really excited.”