Two Class 2A state ranked teams hooked up in Randolph today and did not disappoint a great crowd at Silk Field.
Top rated defending State Champion Randolph took advantage of a couple walks and two hits in the bottom of the 7th including a walk-off walk to win 1-0 over the Belle Plaine Tigers.
The Tigers were in Others Receiving votes in the latest Minnesota Fastpitch Coaches Association rankings.
2024 Minnesota Gatorade Softball Player of the Year Carter Raymond recorded her 5th shutout in 6 games. Raymond, senior future Minnesota Gopher tossed 100 pitches with 75 strikes, fanning 8 batters, 5 looking. with one walk. She gave up 2 hits (the most in a game this season)
Kyla Skluzacek, senior pitcher for the Tigers equaled Raymond pitch for pitch until the 7th inning. she also had 8 strikeouts, 4 looking, with two walks and 3 hits allowed.
Skluzacek finished the game throwing 106 pitches, 68 strikes.
Both teams had 2 errors in the game according to the official statistics.
Belle Plaine made some outstanding defensive plays particularly on long runs for catches in the outfield.
The best defensive play of the game however was a highlight reel diving catch by Randolph right fielder Kylee Carey, senior, to rob Ada Giesler, junior, of what appeared to be a sure hit in the 4th inning.
Both teams had their chances to score before the final inning.
In the top of the first inning Kylie Johnson hit a 1-2 count pitch back up the middle to start the game. She would end up at third base due to an error placing runners at the corners with one out.
Raymond focused in to get a strikeout and a weak pop out to third base.
In the bottom of the inning Raymond led off with a smash to second that was ruled an error. I gave a hit in my book because of how hard the ball was hit and the second baseman had to range a little to her right on the ball. I thought the ball was hit too hard for her to move her feet and get in front of the softball which is why I ruled it a hit.
Raymond stole second base and advanced to third on a passed ball.
Skluzacek locked in the pitching circle to record three successive strikeouts and end the threat.
In the top of the 5th Belle Plaine got a single to open the inning and with one out and a runner at second Raymond fanned the next two batters.
The Tigers opened the 7th with a walk for Geisler, and Mell Kelm executed a sacrifice bunt to advance Geisler into scoring position.
Lock-in mode again for Raymond coaxing a weak pop out and ground out to end the inning,
Maya Preston, junior. started the bottom of the inning with a solid single to right. Ella Banks, senior, walked, Paige Otte, sophomore, stroked a single to center with coach Dennis Trom putting up a stop sign to Preston at third base.
It was the right move because Tigers centerfielder Rachel Johnson threw a dart from center to home plate on the fly.
Ruby Heiman, sophomore, had a hit earlier in the game but popped out. Coach Trom placed Vienna Anderson, senior, at third base.
Anderson would score the winning run after Maddie Loritz, sophomore, walked for the game winning RBI.
The Tigers fell to 5-2 on the season, their only other loss against Tri-City United in Belle Plaine. They go to St. Peter Tuesday, April 22, 2025.
The Rockets are now 6-0 and host Faribault Bethlehem Academy Monday at 4:30 p.m.
The Cardinals jumped to the #3 ranking in Class 1A despite losing to Kenyon-Wanamingo last week.
A recording of the thrilling contest between Randolph and Belle Plaine is below.
https://serve.castfire.com/video/7377335/7377335_2025-04-19-202435.128.mp3