Mankato West Wins Class AAA Softball Title

The Mankato West Scarlets defeated Winona 4-3 Friday for the Class AAA State Softball title. The all Big Nine Conference final was fun for the players and coaches.

The Scarlets took a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning and the Winhawks answered with three runs in the top of the second.

Both pitchers were on, with Mankato West senior Lexi Schoper getting the win, but junior Ashton Hoeppner matching her pitch for pitch. Both gave up just four hits in the game.

It came down to defense with Winona charged with four errors to Mankato West's one. Hoeppner was charged with two earned runs and Schoper 0.

In addition to Schoper, juniors Krista Goerger and Hannah Hastings were named to the All-Tournament team for Mankato West. Winhawks Hoeppner, freshman Samantha Iverson and sophomore Selena Lor also made the All-Tournament team.

It's the second title for Mankato West, their first since 1990.

Winona was making their first trip to state.

The Chanhassen Storm captured the Class AAAA title with a 5-3 win over Buffalo and Edgerton-Southwest Minnesota Christian crushed Badger/Greenbush-Middle River 12-0 in five innings for the Class A crown.

Mankato Loyola defeated Cherry 6-2 in the Class A third-place game and New York Mills cruised by Pine River-Backus 13-1 in six innings for the consolation championship.

In Class AA, Rockford bested Le Sueur-Henderson 3-0 for third place while Pipestone Area downed Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton 8-3 in the consolation title game.

The Class AAA third place winner was Hermantown 18-6 in six innings over Benilde-St. Margaret's and Alexandria Area defeated Becker 5-1 for the consolation championship.