GATORS HOPE TO RELOAD
After losing 7 seniors to graduation most teams would look at the following year as a rebuilding year. The young Gator softball team however is hoping to not rebuild but rather reload. Although the Gators finished last season with a 14-7 record they were ousted in the second round of the subsection playoffs by a pesky Norman County East team. Lost to graduation were Amanda Randall, Anne Dostal, Katie Borgen, Amy Borgen, Dani Peterson, Kristen Pulzcinski, and Camille Bruggeman. All players were extremely versatile and had started at one time or another.
Returning varsity players are senior, Erin Telander and Ashley Kukowski. Juniors, Missy Bruggeman, Ashley Walton, Farrin Foss and Angie Flaten, sophomores, Jessica Peterson, Cassy Campbell, Alysha Korbl and Elle Kern. The Gators will be coached by Kent Christian who is in his ninth year and assisted by David Blazek. Here is a position by position look at the Gators.
FIRST BASE: Freshman Kaley Mekash has the inside track at winning the starting first base job. Mekash has no varsity experience but has shown power with the bat and could be a surprising offensive weapon for the Gators. Senior Erin Telander is the most experienced player at this position and could see some duty there. Telander who also has not seen much varsity action is a feisty competitor and should be one of the team leaders.
SECOND BASE: Coming off a monstrous season is junior Missy Bruggeman Bruggeman who was All-Conference hit .396, stole 21 bases and had a 905 field percentage. She will be looked at again this year to assume a leadership role and be a force on both offense and defense. Because Bruggeman also pitches, Angie Flaten will play second. Flaten, who has some pop in her bat, will need to drastically improve on last seasons .236 batting average.
SHORTSTOP: Sophomore Jessica Peterson will enter the season as the Gator shortstop. Peterson has little to no varsity experience but has shown good range and soft hands at the J.V. level. Hitting will be the key for Peterson as she too has shown gap power. Backing up Peterson at short will be Bruggeman.
THIRD BASE: Junior Farrin Foss has been chomping at the bit to get some varsity playing time. For two year Foss has backed up All-Conference and All-Section player Katie Borgen. Now that Borgen has graduated Foss will get her chance. Foss is an incredibly hard worker and has shown she has the savvy to play third base. When confident Foss can hit over .300 but has had the tendency to swing and miss too much. Backing up Foss at third will be Sophomore Katie Hamness and Sophomore Elle Kern.
OUTFIELD: Battling for the three outfield spots will be Ashley Walton, Ashley Kukowski, Telander, Korbl, and Hamness. Walton is a junior who moved to the outfield last season. She has is a fearless competitor who gets after balls. Kukowski missed last season because of medical reasons is a welcomed addition to the Gator Roster. Kukowski also gets after balls and is a free swinger at the plate. Telander deserves playing time and will see it in the outfield and first. Telander is a great athlete that again will be a leader. Korbl has been hobbled by ankle problems but seems to progressing. Hamness is another good athlete that just needs to develop confidence in herself. Hamness could be a great utility player for the Gators.
CATCHER: Lost from the catching ranks was four year starter Anne Dostal. Sophomore Cassy Campbell who learned a lot under the toolage of Dostal will be the Gators starting catcher. Campbell has a good arm and is extremely quick. Campbell will hopefully but pressure on the opposing defenses with her bunting ability and speed. The Gators are still searching for a back-up to Campbell and may use a backup by committee approach.
PITCHER: The most important part of fastpitch softball is the pitching position. The Gators feel extremely comfortable with their returning trio of juniors. Flaten, Walton and Bruggeman will be sharing the pitching duties just as they did last season. Each showed has two years of pitching experience and will be counted on improving on last season team 1.41 ERA. Not many, if any, teams can come out with three quality starters like the Gators.
Most of the Gator J.V. program will consist of 7th and 8th graders. The young Gators have shown a lot of progress will need a couple years of experience and growth before they are ready for varsity action.
The key to the Gator’s season will be good pitching, defense, and timely hitting. The confidence level of the young Gators will be tested early and often because of the Gator’s tough schedule. However, the Gator team is looking forward to seeing some game action and showing what they can do. The Gators will show enthusiasm with a desire to win. The BGMR Gator Softball Family looks to contend for the sub-section title and section tournament berth. The Gator softball team will be a young, hard nosed team that is fun to watch. They will represent the school and communities well.
The players who have chosen to play softball have put in a lot of hard work. We invite all the public to come out and watch athletes who play for the love of the game. Please check the included schedule and mark the home dates on your calendar. The schedule is subject to change. Please call the school and confirm the game if you plan to attend. Team records, stats etc can be checked out on the web at:
BGMR softball program is also proud to host this year's subsection tournament. Please support softball and attend the tournament.
GATORS STINK IN OPENER
Marred by sloppy base running and poor hitting the BGMR Softball Team lost their season opener 2-0 to Norman County East. East eigth grader Brynn Johnson allowed only 3 hits and struck out seven to pick up her first victory of the season. Gator starter Ashley Walton was equally effective striking out 5 and not allowing a walk.
BGMR started the first by getting their first two hitters on. A nice bunt by Ashley Kukowski however, was negated when the Gator baserunners somehow forgot to run and NCE turned the mistake into a double play. NCE scored in the bottom of the second when Anne Bergstrom doubled and later scored on a passed ball. The Gators loaded the bases with nobody out in the third but were unable to muster a run when they hit a ground out, pop fly and strikeout to end the inning. NCE added an insurance run in the sixth. Janna Stveness singled and later scored on a wild pitch. With the loss the Gators drop to 0-1 on the season.
BGMR 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 RUNS 3 HITS 3 ERRORS
NCE 0 1 0 0 0 1 2 RUNS 5 HITS 1 ERROR
Walton and Campbell
Johnson and Nelson
Wp Johnson (1-0)
Lp Walton (0-1)
GATOR SOFTBALL EVENS RECORD TO 1-1
On a cool and crisp April afternoon that Gators rebounded from a season opening loss and won their first game of the 2004 campaign with an 11-2 victory over the Northern Freeze. The Gators pounded out 12 hits and played good defense to secure the victory.
Offensive leaders for the Gators were Farrin Foss and Jessica Peterson who were both 3-4.
Defensively, Gator starting pitcher Missy Bruggeman went 5 strong innings allowing 2 runs, 1 earned, and striking out 5.
The Gators scored 3 runs in the first, and broke open a close game with 6 runs in the sixth. In the sixth the Gators sent 10 batters to the plate and were aided by 3 wild pitches and 2 freeze errors.
FREEZE 0 0 0 0 1 1 2 Runs 2 Hits 3 Errors
BGMR 3 1 0 0 1 6 11 Runs 12 Hits 2 Errors
Larson, Ashley (6) and Magner
Bruggeman, Walton (5) and Campbell
Wp Bruggeman (1-0)
Lp Larson
GATOR SOFTBALL WINS A TIGHT ONE
BMGR pushed their season record to 2-1 with a hard fought 3-1 win against ThiefRiverFalls. BGMR starting pitcher Angie Flaten outdueled Prowler pitcher Megan Berg. Flaten went the distance for the Gators striking out 8 Prowlers and allowing only 1 run. Berg was equally effective allowing only 3 runs, 2 earned, and struck out 7 Gator batters.
The Gators managed a run in the third when Erin Telander led off with a double, advance to third on a ground out by Katie Hamness, and later scored on a Prowler error. TRF tied the game in the sixth Amanda Timm singled and scored on a double by Alyson Helling. BGMR took a 3-1 lead in the sixth when Missy Bruggeman led off with a single, Cassy Campbell had a bunt single and Angie Flaten hit a two run double. The Prowlers could not manage to get a runner on in the seventh with Flaten striking out Kayla Gallagher to end the game.
TRF 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 Run 4 Hits 1 Error
BGMR 0 0 1 0 0 2 3 Runs 4 Hits 0 Errors
Berg and Trantvet
Flaten and Campbell
Wp Flaten (1-0)
Lp Berg
GATORS SHOOT DOWN EAGLES
BGMR continued their hot play with an 11-0, five inning victory versus RedLakeFalls. BGMR starting pitcher Angie Flaten dominated the Eagle hitters allowing only a first inning single to Abby Buse. Flaten struck out 12 and did not walk a batter to pick up the complete game victory. Eagle starting pitcher Kelly Seeger struggled with her control walking eight and hitting 4 Gator batters. Ashley Walton and Ashley Kukowski were the only Gators to get hits against Seeger. Cassy Campbell and Erin Telander each scored twice for the Gators. With the win the Gator improved their record to 5-2.
Red Lake Falls 0 0 0 0 0 0 Runs 1 Hit 1 Errors
BGMR 5 1 3 2 11 Runs 2 Hits 0 Errors
Seeger and Gagner
Flaten and Campbell
Wp Flaten (3-0)
Lp Seeger
FLATEN PUTS RAINES ON MUSTANGS
Gator starting pitcher Angie Flaten pitched 5 innings of 2 hit ball and struck out 9 Red Lake County Central Mustang batters leading the BGMR softball team to a 10-0 victory. Flaten allowed singles in the third and fifth inning and no Mustang runner made it past first base.
Meanwhile the Gator hitters pounded out 8 hits and were aided by 9 walks and 2 hit batters. Missy Bruggeman and Ashley Kukowski were both 2-2 for the Gators. Bruggeman and Cassy Campbell scored three times for the Gators and Farrin Foss had 3 RBI’s. With the win the Gators moved to 3-1 on the season and 3-0 in the conference.
RLCC 0 0 0 0 0 0 Runs 2 Hits 1 Error
BGMR 2 0 5 3 10 Runs 8 hits 2 Errors
Westlake and Malwitz
Flaten and Campbell
Wp Flaten (2-0)
Lp Westlake
WALTON THROWS NO HITTER
Ashley Walton became the first pitcher in Gator softball history to throw a no hitter. Walton accomplished the feat throwing 5 innings of no hit ball versus Kittson Central. Walton struck out 9 of the 15 batters she faced and only a first inning walk prevent Walton from throwing a perfect game.
The Gators gave Walton more than enough offensive support with a 24 run first inning. All toll the Gators sent 29 batters to the plate, collected 12 hits, and collected 8 walks. In the inning Farrin Foss was 3-3, Ashley Kukowski 2-2, Missy Bruggeman 3-4, and Cassy Campbell 2-4.
The Gators managed to plate 8 runs in the second. Foss continued her torrid hitting with her second triple of the day. Hitting stars on the day were; Foss who was 4-4 with 6 RBI’s, Bruggeman 3-4 with 4 runs scored, Campbell 3-5 with 3 RBI’s and Kukowski who was 2-2 with 5 RBI’s. Angie Flaten also had 3 RBI’s and scored 4 runs.
KITTSON CENTRAL 0 0 0 0 0 0 Runs 0 Hits 9 Errors
BGMR 24 8 0 0 0 32 Runs 15 Hits 0 Errors
Wp Walton (1-1)
Lp Dniengel
WARRIORS UPEND GATORS
Warroad Warrior starting pitcher Dawna Storey was the story in a 3-1 softball victory versus. the BGMR Gators. Storey pitched a complete game 3 hitter and struck out 13 Gator batters. Gator starting pitcher Missy Bruggeman challenged Storey pitch for pitch but ran out of steam in the sixth inning. Bruggeman went 5 2/3 innings and allowed 3 runs but struck out 5.
BGMR took a 1-0 lead in the fourth when Farrin Foss singled and later scored on a Warroad error. Warroad took the lead in their half of the fourth when Gisele Marvin walked, stole second and scored on a double by Storey. Storey later scored on a ground out.
Warroad added an insurance run in the sixth when Storey singles and later scored on a single by Jamie Cratty. The game was an even match-up with Warroad getting the timely hitting and outstanding pitching.
BGMR 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 Run 3 Hits 2 Errors
WARROAD 0 0 0 2 0 1 3 Runs 4 Hits 1 Error
Bruggeman and Campbell
Storey and Storey
Wp Storey (1-0)
Lp Bruggeman (1-1)
GATORS TAKE THIRD AT BLACKDUCK TOURNAMENT
GATORS STRIKE GOLD VERSUS SILVERBAY
Amassing 11 hits and aided by 10 SilverBay errors the Gators beat SilverBay 15-0 in the opening round of the Blackduck Invitational Tournament. Leading hitters for the Gators were Farrin Foss who was 3 for 4 with 3 runs batted in, Jessica Peterson, 2 for 2 with 2 runs batted in, and Ashley Kukowski, 2 for 3. The Gators managed 7 runs in both the third and fourth inning which broke open a close game. Gator starting pitcher Angie Flaten cruised to her fourth victory of the season. Flaten went the distance allowing only 1 hit and struck out 6. SilverBay’s lone hit came in the fourth inning when Amanda Wartman lined a single to center. Wartman made it as far as third but Flaten got a pop up to short to end the inning and preserve the shutout.
Silver Bay 0 0 0 0 0 0 Runs 1 Hit 10 Errors
BGMR 0 1 7 7 15 Runs 11 Hits 2 Errors
Guzzo and Byrset
Flaten and Campbell
Wp Flaten (4-0)
Lp Guzzo
GATORS GET SWAMPED BY LITTLEFORK-BIGFALLS
Looking extremely sharp in game 1 of the tournament the Gators seemed to rest on that game and forgot how to play softball in game 2. Littlefork took advantage of the Gators sluggishness and ran away with an 11-1 victory.
Littlefork managed 7 hits with two of them being homeruns but were also aided by 7 Gator errors. BGMR managed only 1 run off pithers Andy Millerbernd and Tara Donahou. The Littlefork pitchers alternated innings leaving the Gator errors off balance and clueless at the plate.
Littlefork took control of the game in the first inning when they scored 5 runs. BGMR amassed 4 errors in the inning. Gator starting pitcher Missy Bruggeman, who was not sharp, allowed 9 runs, none of which were earned.
Littlefork ended the game in the fifth inning via the 10 run rule on a two run inside the park home run by Donahou.
BGMR 0 1 0 0 0 1 Run 3 Hits 7 Errors
Littlefork 5 1 0 3 2 11 Runs 7 Hits 1 Error
Bruggeman, Flaten (5) and Campbell
Dohahou, Millerbernd (2), Dohahou (3), Millerbernd (4), Dohahou (5) and Anderson
Wp Donahou
Lp Bruggeman (1-2)
GATORS SHIPWRECK VIKINGS
Bouncing back from a big loss can be hard to do however, the Gator softball team managed to rebound in fine form with a 5-2 victory over CookCounty. Because of their big loss in pool play to Littlefork, BGMR was denied a chance for the championship game. BGMR settled for a hard fought win in the third place game. Gator starting pitcher Ashley Walton went 6 strong innings allowing 2 earned runs and striking out 3. BGMR used timely hitting and aggressive base running to score 1 run in each of the first 5 innings. Missy Bruggeman, Walton and Cassy Campbell, and Angie Flaten. were each 1-2 for the Gators. Bruggeman also stole two bases and scored two runs.
With the win the Gators pushed their season record to 7-3.
Cook County 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 2 Runs 4 Hits 2 Errors
BGMR 1 1 1 1 1 0 5 Runs 5 Hits 1 Error
Johnson, Thompson (5) and Kautz
Walton, Flaten (6) and Campbell
Wp Walton (2-1)
Lp Johnson
Sv Flaten (1)
GATORS SHOOT DOWN FALCONS
On a cold and windy day the Gator softball team traveled to Fertile and handed the Falcons a 10-0 loss. The Gators managed only 5 hits but were aided by 5 walks and 1 hit batter. BGMR starting pitcher Missy Bruggeman rebounded from a tough previous start, allowing only 3 hits, 1 walk, 1 hit batter, and struck out 4.
Leading hitters for the Gators were Jessica Peterson who was 1-2 with a bases clearing double, and Ashley Walton who was 2-2 and scored three runs. Bruggeman was also 2-4. With the win the Gators pushed their season record to 8-3.
BGMR 1 2 6 1 0 10 Runs 5 Hits 1 Error
Fertile 0 0 0 0 0 0 Runs 3 Hits 3 Errors
Bruggeman and Campbell
Reese, Rice (3) and Monson
Wp Bruggeman (2-2)
Lp Reese
FLATEN COOLS THE FREEZE
The BGMR Gator Softball program never had a pitcher throw a no hitter until this season. Earlier in the season Ashley Walton threw a no hitter against Kittson Central. Not to be outdone by her teammate, Gator starting pitcher Angie Flaten stifled Northern Freeze hitters and threw a no hitter of her own. Flaten had a dominating performance striking out 11 and walking 2 and pushed her season record to 5-0.