Lady Spartans ready to take run at region title
Published Thursday, May 8, 2008
Lloyd Danzeisen’s Minnesota State CTC Lady Spartans will get a chance to prove themselves again Friday and Saturday as they go after the Region 13A title in Willmar.
After playing 15 games in seven days and earning a third place finish in the state tournament, the Lady Spartans have enjoyed four days off in preparation for the three-team region tournament.
According to Danzeisen, the Lady Spartans have a good hitting lineup that can rally in any inning.
“They have that belief that they’ve done it before,” said Danzeisen. “They don’t give up.”
Three of MSCTC’s top hitters finished in the Top 10 during the season. Claire Parks hit .431 with 17 RBIs, Nikki Kneisl hit .421 and Cassandra Klimek hit .408 with 16 RBIs.
The Spartans won three of their five games at state, beating Rochester, Rainy River and Riverland after losing to eventual state champ Central Lakes in the first round. Ridgewater denied them a second crack at Central Lakes with a 9-0 decision.
MSCTC hurler Erin Evavold is coming off a strong state tournament. Evavold pitched only 20 innings in April but her 2.10 earned run average was the third best in the Southern Division.
The former Fergus Falls High School pitching star missed the first nine games due to an ankle injury but sparked MSCTC in the state playoffs with her pitching, winning three of her four decisions.
The Lady Spartans open the region tournament by playing Madison (Wis.) Area Tech Friday in a 1 p.m. game. The winner will face Ridgewater at 3 p.m. The loser of Game 1 plays again at 5 p.m. Friday. Saturday’s title game starts at noon with a 2 p.m. game scheduled if necessary.
Madison Area Tech has two veteran pitchers while Ridgewater has been sparked by former Otter Tail Central softball star CalieAnn Rittenour, who hit .439, drove in a division-best 28 runs and posted a 9-1 record with a 2.01 ERA during the season.
The double-elimination tournament will wrap up Saturday with the winner advancing to the national tournament in Rochester May 15-17.
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