Park softball team falls in opener

Host Eden Prairie spoiled Park’s 2023 softball debut Saturday, winning 11-2 at the Eden Prairie Dome.

Stella Fritsche started her first varsity game for the Wolfpack.

“She did pretty well,” said Park coach Bob Loshek. “She gave up six hits and two walks over four innings of work. Mackenzie Darsow then came in and threw the last couple of innings in relief. Both pitchers threw well enough to keep us in the game, unfortunately, we made six errors behind them that ended up costing us the game.”

“Multiple times we had runners on base, but could not push them across the plate,” Loshek added.

Noelle Krumrie was 2 for 3 with a walk and a stolen base. Edie Walton, Skyler Croker and Grace Conaway each had a double for the Wolfpack.

Park’s home opener against Suburban East Conference rival Forest Lake, originally scheduled for Monday, April 3, was postponed because of the weather, as was a Wednesday, April 5 date at East Ridge. The Wolfpack are now scheduled to host Mounds View Monday, April 10, starting at 4:30 p.m.

Former Park LAX players faring well

Junior defender Jena Salwasser helped the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire to an 11-8 win over Hamline on March 29. Salwasser forced three turnovers in the fourth quarter to seal the victory.

In the same game, senior Taryn Leonard had a hat trick for the Hamline Pipers. She scored three goals on four shots, caused four turnovers and five draw controls.

Emma Osland is a sophomore midfielder/defender and Shauna Miller a sophomore midfielder at the College of St. Benedict.

Miller had a hat trick in the Bennies 14-4 win over Beloit on March 27.

Osland scored the first two goals of her career in the win over Beloit College -- the program's first win in school history.

 Novotny helps Gophers top Ohio State

University of Minnesota sophomore and former Park baseball standout Tucker Novotny staked the Golden Gophers to a 3-2 win over host Ohio State in Big 10 baseball Friday.

Novotny started and went six innings, allowing two runs, both earned, on five hits. He walked two and struck out a career-high 10 hitters.

Minnesota rallied with three runs in the ninth inning to earn the win.