Fairmont Post 36 took home the Legion Softball title

FAIRMONT — Fairmont Post 36 not only hosted the Minnesota American Legion Fastpitch Softball State Tournament, but they won it, too.

Plus, Post 36 won Fastpitch Softball Post of the Year.

The Fairmont girls went up against Parkers Prairie Post 219 in the title game on Sunday, Aug. 3, winning 10-4. It was the second time in three seasons Post 36 has brought home the championship trophy in Legion Softball.

According to the Fairmont Sentinel, Post 36 batted in five runs in the second inning. It started with a couple of errors by the Parkers Prairie shortstop, placing two runners on base with no outs. That was followed by a bunt, loading the bases. Mackenzie Lowry and Gwyneth Schultz walked, and two runs crossed the plate.

Brylee Miller slapped one into the outfield for a triple that sent three more runs home.

In the fourth inning, Schultz hit a home run, score two runs. Bria Williamson extended the lead by hitting a double that drove home two more runs.

Parkers Prairie scored two runs in each of the sixth and seventh innings, but it was too little too late by then.

Miller struck out seven or more batters for the third time during the tournament, the Sentinel reported.

Schultz was named Outstanding Player of the Tournament. She had six hits on the weekend and three homers. Kaitlyn Klasen of Melrose was named the Outstanding Pitcher.

The games were played at Cardinal Park in Fairmont.

Howard Lake Post 145 captured third place, defeating La Crescent Post 595 in a 6-5 thriller. Post 595 came in fourth. Bemidji Post 14 took fifth place. Melrose Post 101 came in seventh.

Other teams at state were Belview Post 309 and Swanville Post 313. Melrose Post 101 took home the Sportsmanship Trophy.