Thunderhawks softball downs Chisago Lakes again, advances in sections

Cloquet 7, Grand Rapids 4

Grand Rapids 5, Duluth Denfeld 1

Grand Rapids 8, Chisago Lakes 5

CLOQUET— One tough inning was enough to swing the opening game of the Section 7AAA tournament into Cloquet’s favor. Grand Rapids put up 10 hits as a team including two doubles and two runs from Casey Cleveland but the Lumberjacks put up seven runs in the fourth inning to take the game 7-4.

The Thunderhawks were back in action Thursday, beating Duluth Denfeld 5-1, before taking down Chisago Lakes for the second time in less than a week.

Emma Moran’s bat was perfect against the Hunters, going 3-3 with two doubles and ace Addie Linder was dealing, throwing another complete game and striking out 10 while only allowing a single hit and run.

The Thunderhawks had to refocus quickly as they faced off against Chisago Lakes just six days after taking down the No. 5 Class 3A in the state 8-1 on their home field. Grand Rapids had the talent and guts to do it again, this time in the section tournament, taking down the Wildcats 8-5 to advance in the bracket.

Linder went another seven innings, allowing eight hits and five runs with seven strikeouts against Chisago. The team had 12 hits in the win, led by Linder and Claire Larson each three hits and a double to keep momentum in Grand Rapids’ favor. With the win, the Thunderhawks improved to 12-9 and will play Hibbing May 28, in Cloquet.