Tenth-ranked Cloquet triumphs in section rematch

In a rematch of the Section 7AAA championship last year, the No. 10-ranked Cloquet girls varsity softball team exacted a small bit of revenge over North Branch Friday afternoon when the 'Jacks defeated the Vikings 7-6 in a game they led and then had to fight from behind to win.

Cloquet scored three runs in the first inning on singles by Shelby Peil and Kiana Bender, a two-run double by Olivia Diver and a single by Lucy Sinkkonen. The 'Jacks added a run in the second when Dana Jones singled and scored on an error by the shortstop making the score 4-0 in favor of Cloquet. Jones led off the bottom of the fourth by ripping a triple down the right field line and eventually scored on a liner to left by Bender pushing the Jacks lead to 5-0.

Things changed quickly in favor of North Branch in the top of the sixth, when the Vikings crossed the plate six times as they took the lead at 6-5. The Lumberjacks answered back in their half of the sixth when Bender launched a solo home run which tied the game at 6-6.

Cloquet finally secured the win in the eighth inning when Jones walked to lead off the inning and stole second base. After Peil struck out, Bender walked but was thrown out at second on a misplayed ball to center field for the second out of the inning. The play allowed Jones to take third base and the batter, Diver, to advance to first base. The Vikings then walked Allie Wojtysiak to load the bases. With two outs, senior third baseman Keegan Anderson lined a single to right field, giving Cloquet the win.

Sinkkonen started and pitched well. She was relieved by Amanda Paul, who gained the victory on the mound by pitching a scoreless seventh and eighth innings.

Keep reading for summaries of the Lumberjacks recent games.

Saturday, May 4 Brainerd tournament

Cloquet-6

Brainerd-2

The Lumberjacks rode the strong pitching of Josie Steen, who went seven innings and gave up just four hits in the opening game of the tournament against previously undefeated Brainerd. Brenna McClarey went 3-for-3 and Keegan Anderson added a double for the 'Jacks.

Cloquet-9

West Fargo Sheyenne-1

Lucy Sinkkonen pitched a 7-inning five-hitter and struck out 11 to notch the pitching win in the second game of the tournament. Kiana Bender, Josie Steen and Keegan Anderson all smacked out a pair of hits in the win for Cloquet. Bender added three RBIs, Steen scored a pair of runs and Anderson added a double.

Cloquet-8

Champlin Park-4

The Lumberjacks used a trio of pitchers in taking the win over Park. Paul opened the game with three shutout innings. That was followed up by Steen and Sinkkonen who closed the game out with strong performances against the strong hitting Rebels.

Brynn Martin was impressive with a 4-for-4 effort at the plate. Bender recorded two hits - including a double and a home run - to go along with three RBIs. McClarey also had two hits, scored a run and had an RBI.

Monday, May 6

Cloquet-7

Virginia-3

The Lumberjacks hit the road Monday night and struggled through four innings trailing 2-0 before exploding for 7 runs over the final three innings of play to pick up the road victory. Sinkkonen picked up the pitching win for the 'Jacks.

Martin had another solid night at the plate with a pair of hits to go along with two RBIs. Sinkkonen also had two hits, as did McClarey, who had a triple and scored a pair of runs.