Blossoms are headed back to state

No. 1 Blooming Prairie softball punched its ticket to the MSHSL state tournament next week with a 4-1 win over No. 6 Wabasha-Kellogg in the section championship tie-breaker game.

The Awesome Blossoms beat Wabasha-Kellogg 5-4 in the two teams’ first matchup, but fell 21-1 in the second game, forcing the third and final game to decide who advances to state.

Both teams entered the top of the fifth inning tied before senior captain Shawntee Snyder took matters into her own hands, launching a deep home run to right-center field that put Blooming Prairie up 3-1.

“I just had to hit it hard. I had to go for the barrel. I knew right away it was gone when it hit the bat,” said Snyder.

Blooming Prairie added an insurance run late, but Snyder’s bomb – mixed with a complete game gem from pitcher Macy Lembke – pushed the Blossoms back to their first state tournament appearance since winning the Class A title in 2013.

“How about that for a bulldog mentality? We just got our butts kicked in the first game, but Macy just bounces back to give up one run in the final game. If that isn’t bulldog mentality, then I don’t know what is. I’m really proud of her,” said Rutledge on Lembke’s pitching performance.

State tournament action will be held June 5-7 at Caswell Park in Mankato.