Scheels Softball East All-Stars take series for first time since 2018

Minot, ND-

After splitting the first two games in Grand Forks on Monday, the Scheels All-Star Softball series shifted west to Minot for the final day of events.

The Skills Competition went the way of the west, producing the winner in three of the four events.

Fastest Runner: Mckenzie Yantzer, Mandan

Infield Throwing Accuracy: Kinley Peterson, Velva-Drake/Anamoose

Outfield Throwing Accuracy: Olivia Kalbus, Fargo North

Home Run Derby: Cadey Shipman, Minot North

The rubber match in game three started with a bang as Olivia Kalbus and Katelyn Kackman belted doubles to lead off, kickstarting a 4-run inning. They would add on a 5th run in the 2nd inning to make it 5-0 on an Aubrey King two-out single.

The West would fire back with two runs in the bottom of the third inning with Gretchen Deaver scoring on an error and later an RBI groundout from Cadey Shipman to plate Abigail Hudkins.

Kaia Hennings came into pitch for the West in the 4th, holding the East at bay for two innings before Halle Baker blasted two-run home run to cut the lead to 1 at 5-4.

Top of the 7th the East would get some insurance, scoring 5 runs capped off by Bailey Leroux’s two-run single.

Ava Hensrud would finish off a complete game courtesy of a highlight reel play by Kailee Kittleson making a shoelace catch on a line-drive and doubling off the runner at 1st base to give the East All-Stars their first series victory over the West since 2018.

Fargo North’s Olivia Kalbus was named the Scheels All-Star Softball Series MVP.