Senior pitcher Mitch Maurer helped Lakeville South's baseball team on an improbable run to the Class 3A, Section 1 championship.
The Cougars (7-18) won five games en route to the section title. They only won twice during the regular season.
Here is a closer look at Maurer:
Q: The best movie I've seen in the past year?
A: "Wolf of Wall Street."
Q: Three words my friends or teammates might use to describe me?
A: Competitive, humble and confident.
Q: Three songs I never skip on my iPod are …
A: ... "Superman" by Eminem; "Comfortably Numb" by Pink Floyd; "Started from the Bottom" by Machine Gun Kelly.
Q: What are your three favorite apps?
A: My music player, Twitter, and any games I'm into on my phone.
Q: Who do you like to follow the most on Twitter, and why?
A: MN Baseball hub so I can keep up with current scores of games.
Q: How did you get started playing baseball?
A: My dad and uncles all played baseball at a high level, so it was introduced to me at a young age from them and it has been a passion ever since.
Q: At my first varsity practice, I felt …
A: … undersized and intimidated by the older bigger guys, but they quickly welcomed me into the team.
Q: To get focused for a game, I …
A: …think about what I have to do in order to beat my opponent, and envision which steps I need to take in order to be successful.
Q: What is your most memorable moment as a high school athlete?
A: Winning the Section 1 championship.
Q: What was it like walking off the field as the Section 1 champion, especially after having such a difficult time during the regular season?
A: It was surreal. I have never strived for something so much, and it was a moment that I will remember and cherish the rest of my life. I have watched the last pitch I threw of that game [an 8-5 victory over Rochester Mayo] over and over just to feel a bit of that emotion again. Easily one of the best moments of my life at this point.
Q: Describe what you guys went through during the regular season?
A: We had a very tough regular season with only two wins. We couldn't seem to get that necessary hit or make the big play we needed to secure a win. The struggles through the regular season prepared us for sections and it has greatly paid off.
Q: Was there a turning point in your season, and if so, what was it?
A: Winning our last conference game against a solid Burnsville team.
Q: How did you balance school and sports during the year?
A: I took some of my harder classes during the off season. Time management is also important.
Q: If you could change one thing about high school sports, what would it be?
A: I would like to have a longer baseball season.
Q: In 10 years, I hope I'm …
A: … somehow still involved in the game of baseball and doing something in life that I love.
Q: Do you have a secret talent – and if so, what is it?
A: Writing poetry.
Q: What is the best sports advice you ever received?
A: Play with no regrets.
RON HAGGSTROM
Randle was a strong candidate to play in the All-Star Game on Sunday, but was not chosen and will head to the beach instead.
