Prep athletes of the week: Six homers only part of Maple Grove pitcher's best week ever

Crimson coach Jim Koltes didn't hold back when he talked about the performance of his senior pitcher, writing in an e-mail, "Ava had the best week I've ever seen from an individual softball player. Wow."

The numbers bear him out. As a pitcher, she was 4-1 with 59 strikeouts. At the plate she went 11-for-19 with two doubles, 15 RBI and an astounding six home runs. She capped her week by hitting a two-run, walkoff home run in a 6-4 victory over Mankato West in the championship game of the Eastview Great 8 tournament.

Dueck said she had hit a game-winning home run before but never in such a big spot. As for knocking six out of the park in one week?

"I don't think I'll ever have a week like that again," she said.

Dueck, who has signed with Augustana, now has nine home runs on the season, breaking the team's single-season record of eight, set by current University of Minnesota pitcher Sydney Smith.

"To break a record set by a player like Sydney? It's just amazing," Dueck said.

The senior sprinter went to the Howard Wood Relays in Sioux Falls, S.D., over the weekend and came home with three gold medals and a record. He won the 100 meters, the 200 meters in a meet-record 21.28 seconds, and the 4x200 relay.

The No. 2 batter in the Storm order, the senior center fielder has been the team's most potent run producer. In her past six games, Maschka is 14-for-24 (.583) with six RBI and eight runs scored. She leads the team with a .514 average.

The freshman shot a 4-under 68 in the first round of the Blaine Invitational at Majestic Oaks on Friday. He followed that with a solid 75 in the second round to win the meet with a 1-under 143.

The sophomore midfielder scored 30 goals in an eight-day stretch. She had 13 goals in an 18-14 victory over Orono, seven in a 13-12 squeaker over Delano/Rockford and 10 in a 17-4 rout of St. Cloud. She has 43 goals in five games.

CHARLIE RUBENDALL

In his first outing on the mound this season, the senior completely shut down rival St. Anthony 1-0 by pitching a seven-inning perfect game. Rubendall, whose primary position is shortstop, struck out 10 batters in just 71 pitches and did not allow a baserunner.

After completing a hat trick with a game-winning goal with one second left on the clock in a 14-13 victory over Lakeville South, the senior attackman added nine goals in routs over Apple Valley (23-2) and Simley (17-1).

JIM PAULSEN

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