Section 6A softball: Brandon-Evansville falls in final four

• Steffenson

Carly Steffenson gave up just six earned runs in Brandon-Evansville’s Section 6A playoff game Tuesday. The Chargers were eliminated from the tourney by the New York Mills Eagles, who defeated Brandon-Evansville 13-4. (Echo Press photo by Eric Morken)

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Just when it looked as if the Brandon-Evansville girls would cruise back into contention in the Section 6A playoffs, New York Mills stepped to the plate in the fourth inning and exploded for eight runs, ending the Chargers’ bid 13-4.

A four-run top of the first put the Chargers up early, and they held a 4-1 lead until the fourth inning of their loser’s bracket contest.

Pitcher Carly Steffenson, who was cruising along for the Chargers until the fourth, finished by giving up 13 runs on 15 hits, although just six of those runs were earned as the Chargers’ defense committed five errors in the game.

Eagle pitcher Autumn Roberts aided her own cause as she went 4-for-4 at the plate, driving in six runs and scoring three times.

Megan Kokett was the only Charger player with more than one hit, finishing 2-for-4 at the plate. Steph Roers, Emma Friedrich and Claire Bedore all drove in runs.

“With the exception of one inning, the girls played very well today,” said Brandon-Evansville head coach Tim Pattrin. “I’m proud of the way this young team battled all year, taking second in the conference and making it to the final four of the Section 6A tournament.

“Taz [Okerlund] and Claire [Bedore] will be missed and I thank them for their leadership and contribution over the past couple of years.

“I am very excited for the future of this program with the girls we having coming back next year,” said Pattrin. “We are eager to build on what we accomplished this year.”

GAME SUMMARY

BRANDON-EVANS 400 000 0 4-9-5

NEW YORK MILLS 100 804 X 13-15-0

PITCHING (ip-h-r-er-bb-so) – Carly Steffenson (L) 6-15-13-6-1-3; Autumn Roberts (W) 7-9-4-4-1-4.

BRANDON-EVANSVILLE – Megan Kokett 2-4; Tasmine Okerlund 1-3, 1 run; Kinsley Randt 1-3, 1 run; Steph Roers 1-3, 2b, 1 run, 1 rbi; Emma Friedrich 2-3, 2b, 1 run, 2 rbi; Jessica Ranweiler 1-3; Claire Bedore 1-3, 2b, 1 rbi.

NEW YORK MILLS – EmaLeigh Roberts 2-4, 2b, 2 runs, 1 rbi; Autumn Roberts 4-4, 3 runs, 6 rbi; Jenna Esala 1-3, 3b, 2 runs, 1 rbi; Brittany Lee 3-4, 2b, hr, 1 run, 3 rbi; Alexis Rankka 1-4, 1 run; Brooklyn Frost 2-4, 2b, 1 run, 2 rbi; Lydia Irons 1-4, 2b, 1 run, 2 rbi; Kristin Kane 1 run; LeeAnn Flanigan 1-3, 2b, 1 run.

SECTION 6A-SOUTH

SOFTBALL PLAYOFFS

SEEDINGS – 1. Pillager, 2. Hillcrest, 3. Parkers Prairie, 4. Brandon-Evansville, 5. Eagle Valley, 6. Bertha-Hewitt, 7. Ashby, 8. Verndale, 9. West Central Area.

TUESDAY, MAY 22

PLAY-IN

Verndale 12, West Central Area 2, 5 innings

QUARTERFINALS

Pillager 8, Verndale 3

Brandon-Evansville 9, Eagle Valley 6

Ashby 12, Hillcrest 4

Parkers Prairie 7, Bertha-Hewitt 6, 8 innings

THURSDAY, MAY 24

SEMIFINALS AT BRANDON

Brandon-Evansville 6, Pillager 5

6A-SOUTH CHAMPIONSHIP

Parkers Prairie 13, Brandon-Evansville 8

SECTION 6A FINAL FOUR

TUESDAY, MAY 29

AT MENAHGA

WINNER’S BRACKET

Sebeka 10, Parkers Prairie 3

LOSER’S BRACKET

New York Mills 13, Brandon-Evansville 4

New York Mills 7, Parkers Prairie 4

THURSDAY, MAY 31

CHAMPIONSHIP

Sebeka vs. New York Mills at Menahga, 4 p.m.

Tags: brandon evansville sports, sports, softball, section, 6a