Jaguars fastpitch is nipped in 5A-West semis 3-2 by Osakis, a tough loss to swallow

Center fielder Laura Johnson made a simply spectacular pop fly catch in the bottom of the third inning against Osakis tonight.

Coming back to the dugout after the huge pop fly grab.

The Jaguars' fastpitch team finishes 6-12 overall, while Osakis improves to 18-1 overall. The Silverstreaks advance to the Sub-Section 5A-West championship game, coming this Thursday at 5pm at Minnewaska Area High School.

Top-seeded Osakis will face #2-seeded Kimball Area for the sub-section crown. The #2-seeded Cubs improved to 10-10 overall by overcoming a one-run deficit
and defeat #6-seed Eden Valley-Watkins 3-2.

See a photo gallery with 125 shots from the game online at http://saukherald.mycapture.com

• A light game recap:

The Jaguars scored first, on Michelle Sanders' RBI-single in the third inning. Osakis then tied the game in the bottom of the third with two hits and an unearned run. Sanders' fired a strikeout, then Anna Marthaler ran down a hit to the right-center gap for a tough pop fly catch. For the third out, Laura Johnson made a thrilling pop fly catch in center field, getting back to the dugout with at least two major grass stains on her uniform.

In the fifth inning, the Jaguars went down 1-2-3. They broke through in the top of the sixth. Their rally started with a double shot over the right fielder's head by Laura Johnson. The senior stole third on a passed ball, then scored with an RBI hit up the gut by Maggie Gruber.

Hoping to hold onto the 2-1 lead, the Jaguars fought hard in the bottom half of the frame but the Silverstreaks managed to plate two runs for a 3-2 lead.

In the top of the 7th, Brittany Roelike hit a shot to the shortstop, followed by a one-out bunt by Morgan Knutson. She managed to beat the 5-3 throw, then stole second and third base to get into scoring position.

A 3-2 count pitch went by as a strike against the Jaguars' final batter - a bitter way to end the team's season.

Jaguars' pitcher Michelle Sanders had only 1 walk in a complete-game effort, in which she scattered five Silverstreaks' hits and earned six strikeouts. A heckuva performance for a sophomore.

Read about the entire game in next week's local papers.

In a home game tonight at Elrosa, the Jaguars' baseball team lost to the Osakis Silverstreaks 15-2 in five innings. The score pretty much says it all. Giving up 7 runs in the third inning spelled doom for the Blue and Silver, who fall to 7-11 overall to end the regular season.

Up next for the Jaguars' baseball team: the Sub-Section 5A-West quarterfinal game at Upsala, taking on the #3-seed Upsala/Swanville Patriots in a 3:30pm game on Friday (May 28).

• Notes on area fastpitch playoff games:

Paynesville Area ace senior pitcher Whitney Woehler got out of a bases loaded jam (with 1 out) to beat the Minnewaska Lakers for the 3rd straight season in the Section 6AA, sub-section playoffs. She got up with a 1-2 count against Abby Kreitlow, who struck out swinging.

The Bulldogs advance to the sub-section championship game, as well as the Section 6AA Final Four series. They take on #1-seeded Rocori for the Sub-Section 6AA-West title in Melrose at the scenic riverside park at 5:00pm this Thursday night, May 27.

Section 6AA fastpitch playoff results:
Rocori 3, New London-Spicer 0 (#1 seed defeats #5 seed)
Paynesville Area 3, Minnewaska Area 0
Holdingford 6, Foley 2 (#2 seed beats the #6 seed, Huskers have won 11 in a row)
St.Cloud Cathedral 7, Mora 1

Central Minnesota Conference baseball results:
Maple Lake 8, Pierz 2
Pierz 13, Maple Lake 11

Area baseball scores:
Morris Area 2, Lac qui Parle Valley 1
Melrose 2, New London-Spicer 1
Long Prairie-Grey Eagle 7, Sauk Centre 5
Upsala/Swanville Area 6, Browerville/Eagle Valley 5
Mora 12, Albany 2 (6 innings)
Minnewaska Area 15, Milaca 4
St.Cloud Cathedral 9, Foley 5

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