Rebels dominate in route to first state championship

The United South Central softball team made school history Friday night at Jane Sage Cowles Stadium in Minneapolis when it defeated Badger/GB-MR 2-0 to win the program’s first state championship. 

Not only did the Rebels shut out the Gators in the Class A title game, they held all of their opponents throughout their state tournament bid to zero runs, combining for a total score of 20-0 in their three tournament games. 

The championship game was led by pitcher Mariah Anderson in the circle, who had a standout performance, going all seven innings allowing just one hit, giving up zero walks and striking out a staggering 19 batters. This type of performance was a mainstay for Anderson and the Rebels all season long and especially in the postseason. In the three state tournament games, Anderson pitched all innings played, giving up zero runs, zero walks, just two hits and struck out 52 batters. 

United South Central faced a tough defense when they came to the plate, however, making this championship no walk in the park. The Rebels tallied just three hits in the game, two of which came from Anderson and the third coming from Hannah Niebuhr. 

The Rebels’ two runs both came in the third inning. With one out already on the board, Carissa Hanson was walked to get the Rebels on base and was followed by Niebuhr’s single to left field. With two runners on base and one in scoring position, Anderson stepped to the plate and reached on a fielding error to load the bases. 

Ivy O’Rourke then connected during her plate appearance, grounding into a fielder’s choice, but in the process the fielder made an error throwing to home allowing for one run to score and for the bases to remain loaded. Taylor Schroeder then came to the plate and was walked, bringing in the second run of the inning. 

The championship caps off a monumental season for United South Central which saw them finish with a record of 26-1 with their only loss coming in game one of the Section 2A finals to Martin County West, 6-5. They later went on to beat Martin County West 6-0 in game two to advance to the state tournament.