Prep athletes of the week: Orono's Bergh quickly shows she's ready

HANNAH BERGH

Orono • Softball

Going into the season, the only question about the deep and experienced Spartans — and it wasn’t a big one — was how well senior pitcher Hannah Bergh would handle shouldering the load after spending two seasons sharing the rubber with the now-graduated Samantha Hartman.

Two games into the season, it’s become apparent the righthander with the fastball clocked in the mid-60-mph range has everything under control. She pitched back-to-back no-hitters last week, beating Annandale 12-0 in six innings and Glencoe-Silver Lake 11-0 in five innings. She struck out 27 batters, walked only two and came within an error of a perfect game against Annandale, fanning 16 of the 19 batters she faced.

She also came through at the plate, driving in two runs in each game.

“I’m ready for this,” Bergh said before the season. “Our team has worked so hard for this season. I just go out and pitch my game, focus on every pitch and know my defense is behind me.”

TOBY BOYER

Forest Lake • Tennis

Despite a spring of sputtering starts, the junior (and 2013 Class 2A singles runner-up) improved his record to 7-0 with victories over two ranked players Saturday, defeating Josh Gearou of Elk River 6-3, 6-1 and Paul McNallie of Burnsville 6-2, 6-1.

CARLIE BRANDT

Le Sueur-Henderson • Softball

The sophomore pitched the Giants to four consecutive victories last week before running into trouble at the Shakopee tournament on Saturday. On the week, she posted a 4-1 record, giving up only 21 hits and striking out 77 batters in 35 innings.

ALLISON CIESLAK

Becker • Softball

Becker remained undefeated (8-0) by sweeping doubleheaders from Foley and Little Falls, scoring 54 runs in the process. The senior second baseman his .647 (11-for-17) with four doubles, three home runs, 12 runs scored and 10 RBI.

NATALIE STOCKMAN

Norwood Young America • Softball

The senior pitcher put up eye-popping stats in four victories last week. She went 4-0, striking out 26 and giving up just six his in 25 innings pitched. At the plate, Stockman hit .765 (13-for-17) with six home runs and 21 RBI. She leads the metro with seven homers and 32 RBI.

JACOB GOURLEY

Eagan • Track and field

The senior sprinter was the fastest athlete at Friday’s highly regarded Hamline Elite Meet. He won the 100-meter dash in a time of 10.66 seconds, the 200 meters in 21.60 and anchored the winning 4x200 relay team, chasing down the leader to lift the Wildcats to the victory in a time of 1 minutes, 29.07 seconds.

ZAC REPINSKI

Prior Lake • Baseball

The smooth-fielding senior shortstop was a tough out in pacing the Lakers to victories over South Suburban foes Burnsville, Eagan and Eastview. He went 9-for-12 with a double, two home runs, five runs scored and eight RBI.

JIM PAULSEN