2023 Class A Softball State Championship: Edgerton/SW MN Christian 10, Badger/Greenbush-Middle River 5

Edgerton/SW MN Christian became part of a historical trivia question on Friday, June 9 during the Minnesota State High School League’s Softball State Tournament at Caswell Park in North Mankato. When asked someday to name the season and teams when two No. 5 seeds emerged as state champions, the Flying Dutchmen are part of that rare feat.

Edgerton/SW MN Christian completed its eye-popping journey with a 10-5 victory over No. 2 Badger/Greenbush-Middle River in the Class A championship game that wrapped up two days and 44 games of competition over four enrollment classes. About 90 minutes earlier, Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton also captured a championship as the No. 5 seed when the Rebels recorded a victory over No. 2 St. Charles in the Class AA title game.

The Flying Dutchmen claimed their third Class A crown since 2016 with an overwhelming 18-hit attack that produced runs in bunches. Edgerton/SW MN Christian opened the game with four runs in the top of first, three more in the fifth and three after that in the seventh. Junior second baseman Ana Veldkamp was 5 for 5 with two runs scored and two knocked in to pace an offense that sent 42 batters to the plate. Senior pitcher Paris Van Dyke chipped in three hits.

Edgerton/SW MN Christian (19-6) lost six consecutive games to end the regular season, but played its best softball at the right time of the season with seven wins in a row during the postseason.

Badger/Greenbush-Middle River (26-2) finished as the Class A runner-up for the fourth time in as many championship game appearances. Senior Cassidy Dahl was 2 for 3 for the Gators.

Third place

Moose Lake/Willow River, the No. 3 seed, finished as projected following a 6-0 victory over Upsala in the third-place game. Sophomore shortstop Hallie Klavu, senior designated hitter Sarah Christy, sophomore first baseman Sandra Ribich and junior left fielder Jorja Lusczak had two hits each for the Rebels (23-4). Junior pitcher Isabel Leners and sophomore center fielder Hailie Luedtke each had a hit for Upsala (24-4).

 Consolation

Randolph, the top seed to open the Class A tournament, responded to an opening-round upset with two victories in the consolation bracket, including an 8-0 win over New Ulm Cathedral in the consolation final. The Rockets (24-2) scored two runs in the top of the second and tacked on four more an inning later in a nine-hit attack. Sophomore pitcher Carter Raymond was 3 for 4 with two runs scored and an RBI. In the circle, she gave up three hits and struck out six. Junior center fielder Jenna Hotovec had two hits for New Ulm Cathedral (18-8).