Going the distance is Maple Grove's goal

When a softball game scheduled for seven innings approaches a number close to tripling that mark, some might suggest it's time to toss strategy out the window and take a few gambles.

That was the plan for Maple Grove coach Jim Koltes, who decided to have senior Shanna Sticka attempt a suicide squeeze in the bottom of the 19th inning of a 1-1 game with Park Center last Thursday.

But she was walked.

So up came freshman Taylor Bratton, a lean 0-for-7 so far in the game, who had to convince Koltes to let her hit.

"I said, 'OK, we'll give ya a look,'" Koltes said.

Bratton promptly won the game for the Northwest Suburban Conference-leading Crimson. Nothing flashy or mind-bending, just a simple single to left good for the team's third extra-inning triumph of the year.

With the regular season winding down and a history of not being able to finish strong still fresh, Maple Grove's long-term plan of attack has reached a critical juncture.

In the past, Maple Grove has followed up its weekend in the talent-rich field with a conference game Monday. In three of the past four seasons, the Crimson has lost that game.

Three seasons ago it was especially grim. A 1-0 loss to Elk River followed by a 3-1 defeat to Blaine two days later cost Maple Grove the conference championship.

"All we had to do was win one game," Koltes said with a touch of disbelief even all this time later. "But we were tired."

This year, Koltes scheduled the post-tournament Monday as an off day, meaning Maple Grove will have three full days off before its next game.

"It gets to be a grueling weekend with so many good teams there," Koltes said. "So we moved our Monday game to Friday. It means we'll play three straight days, but we will have three days before that to recover and get fresh."

Maple Grove opens play Saturday against No. 4 Burnsville. Possible opponents from there include No. 2 Eagan, third-ranked (Class 2A) Hermantown and fourth-ranked (Class 2A) Winona Cotter.

Koltes said he asked tournament organizers for a tough draw because it's the best way to prepare for a deep playoff run and with no double-elimination there is no room for error once the playoffs begin.

His players echoed that feeling.

"We're ready for any team," said Sticka, who pitched all 19 innings against Park Center and entered this week with a 0.32 ERA. "I love getting the challenge of another good team. It's nice to see a variety ... from teams in different parts of the area."

With so many games jam-packed into a short spring season, softball teams rarely get extended periods to just practice.

There's something to be said about keeping to a routine, however. While they might be rested, Crimson players have to be wary of coming back to the field too confident.

"We have to come out strong," senior Brooke Pearce said. "The extra practice for the final push will be good [but] I'm hoping that we just stick with what we have done. We know we have the potential to do really well."