Park got the bats uncorked and slammed host Hastings Monday afternoon under cloudy skies to advance in the Class 4A, Section 3 playoffs.

The fifth-seeded Wolfpack (14-7) scored an 8-4 win over the fourth-seeded Hastings Raiders (14-6) and advanced to the section quarterfinals. Next up for the Wolfpack (14-7) is a date Wednesday at fifth-ranked and top-seeded Rosemount, (18-3) starting at 4:30 p.m.

Rosemount took two of three games from the Wolfpack in last season’s section play to advance to state, winning 1-0, losing 6-1 then winning in the section finals 9-3.

In other section openers, Rosemount had a surprisingly tough first round win, just edging eighth-seeded Burnsville 4-3. In other first-round section games, third-seeded East Ridge beat sixth-seeded Two Rivers 8-4 and second-seeded Eagan dropped seventh seeded Eastview 6-2.

In the other section quarterfinals Wednesday, East Ridge will play at Eagan.

On Monday, Park rapped out 11 hits, drew five walks and had the pitching and defense to overcome the Raiders.

Junior Ava Youngquist ripped a two-run homer in the fourth inning to spark the Wolfpack. Lauren Osland had two singles, Mackenzie Darsow had two singles and two sacrifices, junior catcher Alayna Adamez went 3-for-4 with a single, double and triple.

“I think we hit the ball really well,” said Youngquist. “I think this was the best pitcher we’ve faced so far and I think we dug deep and just went face-to-face.

On meeting Rosemount next, Youngquist noted, “I think we can do it. We’ve been close with Rosemount for the past few years and I think this is our time. We’ll get it.”

The sixth inning was the big one. Youngquist led off with a single, Maddie Boothe walked, Darsow singled and Adamez ripped a three-run double.

Park pitchers allowed just five hits and combined for five strikeouts.

“I think we did a good job of sticking together as a team,” said starting pitcher Stella Fritsche. “All three pitchers pitched well. And we just came together and competed.”

The Wolfpack led 1-0 after two but trailed 2-1 heading into the top of the fourth, then scored twice to retake the lead at 3-2. A big three-run sixth inning gave Park a more comfortable 6-3 lead and then the Wolfpack outscored Hastings 2-1 in the seventh to end it.

Regular season finales

After suffering a tough loss to East Ridge on Monday, May 12, Park wrapped up the regular season with a pair of home wins, edging Cretin-Derham Hall 7-6 on Tuesday, May 13, then taking down visiting North St. Paul 4-1 on Wednesday.

Against North St. Paul, Park scored two runs in the fourth inning to break a 1-1 tie, then added a fourth in the fifth for the final margin. The Wolfpack held North St. Paul to seven hits.

Park ends the regular season with an 11-7 record, finishing fourth in the Suburban East Conference. The Wolfpack are 13-7 overall.

The Wolfpack struggled with the top teams in the conference this season, losing twice to No. 1 Forest Lake, No. 3 Stillwater, East Ridge and splitting with White Bear Lake.

SEC Softball – Final Standings

Conf W L Overall

Forest Lake 17-1 18-1

Stillwater 15-3 17-3

White Bear Lake 12-6 14-6

Park 11-7 13-7

East Ridge 10-8 12-8

Woodbury 9-9 10-10

Cretin-Derham Hall 8-10 9-11

Roseville 4-14 5-14

Irondale 2-16 3-17

Mounds View 2-16 2-16