Maple Grove enters the final few weeks of the season on a roll.
The Crimson became the first team this season to knock off Bloomington Jefferson, and did so in fine fashion last Saturday. Sophomore Jordan Mauch ripped a two-out RBI single in the bottom of the seventh to upend the Jaguars 4-3 in the Great 8 Invitational played at Eastview.
"We told our kids we had the hammer with the last ups of the inning and they responded," coach Jim Koltes said.
With seven players still around from the Crimson's 2010 state tournament team, Koltes wasn't sure how some of the younger players would fit in. It hasn't been tough to find a spot for Mauch, who hits fourth.
"We knew she could hit, but she's hit so well for us," Koltes said. "It's been a real nice surprise."
Rain washed away the championship game of the Great 8 tournament between the Crimson and North St. Paul. The coaches hope to make up the game Saturday.
Maple Grove seems sure to have momentum after the big victory over Jefferson. Heading into this week, the Crimson's lone loss was a 1-0 walk-off against Park Center, a team Maple Grove was perfect against for six innings.
"It helps validate our kids a little bit," Koltes said of the victory over Jefferson. "All they hear is how good the other teams are. And now we go and beat them."
