Gators 6 Crusaders 4 (state semifinals)
The Gators had just taken a 2-0 lead on a Dallager two-run double to deep right center field in the third inning of the state semifinals. The Crusaders would respond, scoring four runs—one on a leadoff AlliMenke home run and another on a Kayla Gross three-run home run, influencing Coach Christian to replace starter Stenberg with relief pitcher Rachel Peterson.
In the next inning, the Gators rallied, but, unlike the Crusaders, depended on some small ball. Brockhouse hit a bloop infield single and Amy Svir and Gullikson each laid down bunt singles to load the bases.
Pinch runner Emmie Jacobson would score on a wild pitch and Makenna Burslie would reach base on an Ellie Hoffman error at first base, driving in the tying run. With the bases loaded, Dallager would come up with another clutch base hit, this time a single up the middle to drive in two runs and give the Gators a 6-4 lead.
“A lot of resilience out of our team. (I’m) real proud of them,” Coach Kent Christian said.
In the bottom of the fifth, the Gators found themselves in a tight situation, allowing the Crusaders to load the bases. Coach Christian then made a move to bring his starter back in. Stenberg would pick up a strikeout and force a short fly out to right and a pop out to shortstop to get her team out of the jam.
“ I thought Rachel (Peterson) came in and did an outstanding job in relief and then it gave time for Julia (Stenberg) to kind of collect herself,” Coach Christian said. “(It was a) pretty big inning when they load the bases and nobody out and got out of it with no runs.”
The Gators retired the Crusaders in one-two-three fashion in both the sixth and seventh inning to come out with the win.
In the pitching circle, starter Julia Stenberg pitched five and two third innings, surrendering four runs on three hits and two walks, and striking out one. Peterson pitched an inning and one third for the win, surrendering no runs on one hit and two walks. The Gator defense didn’t commit an error.
Offensively, Dallager led the Gators going two for four with those four RBI’s.
“I kind of like her bat in the lineup and we get her back next year,” Coach Christian said. “So, she’s done an outstanding job, but it’s been a great team effort.”
Brockhouse, going two for four, and Gullikson, going two for three, also paced the Gator offense.