Maple Lake pitcher Calli Maki threw a pitch against Pipestone Area in the third inning. Photo: JEFF WHEELER • jeff.wheeler@startribune.com
Sophomore Calli Maki hit a grand slam in the third inning to propel No. 1 Maple Lake to a 12-3 win against No. 4 Pipestone Area and a return to the state title game. Maki threw a complete game, allowing six hits and striking out eight.
Katie Goelz, Mollie Scheiber and Olivia Paumen all hit 4-for-5 for the Irish (27-1) who look claim the program’s first state title after four runner-up finishes in the past 10 years.
Shelby Bloemendaal batted 2-for-4, drove in two runs and scored one herself for the Arrows (23-3). Bloemendaal took the loss, allowing 12 hits and eight runs in three innings pitched.