SOFTBALL
Maple Grove, No. St. Paul in final• GREAT 8 INVITATIONAL: Maple Grove was being overlooked heading into the eight-team tournament in Apple Valley. That won't be the case anymore this season. The Class 3A, No. 6 Crimson surprised top-ranked Bloomington Jefferson 4-3 in the semifinals on Saturday. Sophomore Jordan Mauch drove in the winning run with a two-out single in the bottom of the seventh inning. Lauren Falkanger of Bloomington Jefferson (13-1) hit a two-run homer with two outs in the top half of the frame, tying it at three. Maple Grove (10-1) was scheduled to play No. 2 North St. Paul (14-0) in the championship, but the game got rained out. It will be made up next Saturday. The Crimson beat Eagan 12-1 in the quarterfinals. North St. Paul reached the finals with victories over Hermantown and Hopkins.
BASEBALL
Szalapski sparks Blake• BLAKE 7, BROOKLYN CENTER 0: Bears senior pitcher Blake Szalapski was nearly untouchable. Szalapski threw a one-hitter with 17 strikeouts as Blake (6-5) shut out the Centaurs in the North Suburban.
• TRI-CITY UNITED 10, COLUMBIA HEIGHTS 0: Junior David Trcka hurled a no-hitter as Tri-City United beat the Hylanders by the 10-run rule in six innings in nonconference play. Columbia Heights had two players reach base, one on a walk and the other by error.
BOYS' GOLF
Thomas leads Lakeville North• DAKOTA COUNTY INVITATIONAL: Sophomore Freddy Thomas fired a 5-under-par 68, earning medalist honors in the seven-team meet at Emerald Greens Golf Club in Hastings. Lakeville North won the team title with a 286, 17 strokes better than runner-up Eagan.
STAFF REPORTS
