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NORTH MANKATO — Pipestone Area Schools’ pitcher/outfielder combination Mariah Moeller has been selected to play in the 36th Annual state softball series.
The Minnesota Fastpitch Coaches Association runs the event, which will take place on Sunday, June 8, at Caswell Park — two days after the Minnesota State High School League state championships in Minneapolis.
“It is an honor to be selected to play in the all-star game,” Moeller said. “It’s a privilege to be able to represent Arrow softball as well as the Pipestone community.”
Moeller will carry away lifetime memories playing softball — a member of PAS’ 2022 and 2023 state tournament teams.
Pipestone Area Schools’ Mariah Moeller, shown here playing in a regular-season game, will represent the Arrows in the Class AA state all-star games this Sunday in North Mankato. (Star file photo by Eric Viccaro)
This fall, Moeller will attend South Dakota State University, enrolling in the school’s nursing program.
Moeller won’t be the only local connection participating.
In Class A, Edgerton/Southwest Minnesota Christian outfielder/pitcher Cathryn Feikema and catcher Elliott Fleischman are set for action.
Moreover, Russell-Tyler-Ruthton head coach Darren Baartman and assistants Brian Baartman and Jared Baartman have been named to lead one of two Class A all-star squads.
“I feel honored and humbled,” said Darren Baartman, who also serves as RTR’s activities director, “to be recognized by the association and my peers. I’m looking forward to it.”
Russell-Tyler-Ruthton activities director and head softball coach Darren Baartman, shown here holding his 2024 Section 3A honor, and the Knights’ staff will pilot one of two Class A all-star teams Sunday. (Star file photo)
Baartman is familiar with the format, especially since current Minnesota West Community & Technical College pitcher Kya Alderson represented the Knights during the 2024 series.
Players must report to Caswell Park by 1 p.m. for team photos, with player introductions to follow at 2.
The first of two five-inning games will take place at 2:30 p.m., with the second round to follow at 4.
Players chosen must have been a senior in academic standing during the 2024-2025 school year, Darren Baartman reported.
The day also features team meetings and an all-star luncheon, with players wearing their special all-star uniform.
Hall of Fame enshrinees and section coaches of the year also will be announced.
Diamond notes
MARSHALL — Wabasso eliminated Edgerton/Southwest Minnesota Christian from the Section 3A Tournament in the championship game Thursday, May 29, at the Marshall Softball Complex.
The Rabbits defeated E/SWC, 5-1.
Reagan Walhof scored the Flying Dutch’s lone run. Walhof reached base safely three times (one hit, one walk and once hit by a pitch). Fleischman was 1-for-3, and also walked once.
Presley Van Dyke accounted for E/SWC’s only RBI, and was the losing pitcher of record with the following line: six innings, five runs (three earned) on five hits, seven strikeouts, one walk and 105 pitches. Defensively, the team committed four errors.
Edgerton/Southwest Minnesota Christian players receive their Section 3A runner-up medals. (Contributed photo by Jake McNeill/Marshall Independent)
Wabasso’s Aylah Jenniges earned the win, allowing just one run on six hits with five strikeouts, three walks and one hit batter. Macy Rohlik and Sara Carlson were both 2-for-3 for the Rabbits.
E/SWC (18-9) staved off elimination with wins over Lac qui Parle Valley and Yellow Medicine East to reach the championship round.
This marks Wabasso’s first state tournament appearance in more than a decade. The Rabbits (19-6) drew the No. 5 seed, and they played Braham Tuesday in the quarterfinals. United South Central (23-1) is the overall top seed.
Infielder Cami Vander Haar, Feikema and Fleischman all will be lost to graduation for E/SWC.
Section 3AA champion Jackson County Central (22-4) received the seventh seed, playing St. Agnes Tuesday. Section 2AA winner Lake Crystal Wellcome Memorial (23-2) drew the third seed, facing Hawley.
PAS squared off with both JCC and LCWM during the season.
Edgerton/Southwest Minnesota Christian’s Cali Wagner makes a play at third base. (Contributed photo by Jake McNeill/Marshall Independent)
INFORMATION
SOFTBALL
Section 3A Tournament
Championship Game
Linescore
Thursday, May 29
At Marshall
Wabasso 5, E/SWC 1
E/SWC 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 — 1 6 4
Wabasso 1 0 2 0 1 1 x — 5 5 0
WP: Aylah Jenniges, Wabasso
LP: Presley Van Dyke, E/SWC
2B: Sara Carlson, Wabasso; she had the game’s lone extra-base hit