Powerful Border West to play in Morris May 14

The end of the regular season will have a very good test for the MACA softball Tigers. They could use it. Not only will that game be challenging, it will be a treat for area fans as it's an area rivalry. Non-conference, yes, but a rivalry. Who will get the upper hand? Actually it looks like Border West has the caliber to challenge the Tigers. 

Many of you might wonder, what is "Border West?" You can be forgiven. I used to think of Herman but Herman has its hands joined in this venture. So it's a "cooperative" of teams. It can get a little complicated. But for now let's just get ready for the May 14 big game that will have state-ranked teams taking to the field in Morris. 

Game-time is 5 p.m. at the "softball complex" in Morris. My daily walking route goes past the place. One of the reasons I have been so critical of this facility is that I get to see it so often. Yesterday (Thursday) was an example. The Tigers played. I'm guessing it was Senior Day. 

 

Shortcoming 

But of course I always notice the woeful and almost nonexistent accommodations for fans at the softball facility. I'm sure the ground gets muddy often. The Pomme de Terre River is close by. Rivers are at the lowest elevation in an area. 

The old UMM softball field which seemed perfect in my mind is gone. The old field had the distinctive concrete player seating areas. "Cougars" painted on the side. Gone. I have to believe that the new field in that place has the batters facing the sun too much, too often. The old field was designed precisely. The fences were low enough that adults of average height could watch unimpeded from all over. I know because I took in some Cougar action there. 

The old facilities are a memory. Now we have the "complex" where fans have to bring their own chairs. Meanwhile we have the baseball "Chizek Field" that has generous grandstand seating. Looks like the male gender still has some advantages. Why did our school board not look ahead better? It spends a lot of our money. 

 

Alliteration in name 

"Border West" has the neat nickname "Buccaneers." The softball team is a Class A power. MACA of course is AA. The Tigers thumped Class A BOLD on Tuesday 14-4. The Tigers win often by scores like that. Very impressive but will we have the firepower to climb into state? Ahem, to get past those always-tough teams from southern Minnesota? The 64-dollar question. 

The High School League informs us that Border West is a cooperative that draws students from three schools near the South Dakota border: Wheaton, Herman-Norcross and Clinton-Graceville-Beardsley. 

Border West softball sports the super won-lost of 12-1. The Bucs are 8-1 in section, 7-0 in conference and 4-0 at the home diamond. They are coming off a 22-0 win over Ashby. I'm impressed that Ashby still has a stand-alone team. The Arrows! Ah, the old days of the "Herman Panthers." I remember well. 

It was the Herman boys basketball team that defeated Morris in a tournament game that turned out to be a watershed for the beleaguered Morris school district and its sports program once. That game was at the UMM P.E. Center. You might say it was a culmination. People lost their inhibitions after that. No longer were we so willing to buy the tired argument that "school is about academics, not sports." I have always argued "let the kids have fun." 

In the long run I probably won. In the short term I suffered. But I never compromised my soul for expedience. Not much anyway. Some of our community leaders were spineless. 

 

Anticipation 

So again, mark your calendar for the May 14 game of Border West versus MACA at Motown, 5 p.m. And of course bring your own chairs to the game. Maybe sit out by the outfield fence. How come I can point out so many deficiencies when no one else wants to talk about it? My cross to bear? And how about the parking out there? Yesterday same as always: long rows of cars parked along the shoulders of Prairie Lane. We used to see the name "Cesar Chavez" close to there. No more. That's what "allegations" can do. 

 

Buccaneers 16, Benson 1 

Let's take a look at the recent Border West blow-out of Benson. The wind blew hard as the Bucs handled the Braves 16-1. Border West had an impressive rally in the fourth inning - eight runs - and had ten hits total in the romp at Benson. Only four innings were needed. The Bucs emerged from this game ranked No. 10 in Class A. 

Border West "Buccaneers"

Border West played errorless ball. Sadie Wright occupied the leadoff spot in the order. She surely gave spark with three-for-three hitting numbers. Two of her hits were doubles. She drew a walk and scored two runs. Makaya Hennessy had a hit, drew a walk, scored two runs and drove in one. Hannah Gary went two-for-three, walked, scored two runs and drove in one. 

Jordan Wright crossed home plate three times. She drove in two runs. She walked twice, stole two bases and had a hit. 

Avery Kellen had a hit, scored two rims, drove in two and stole two bases. Bristol Paulson stole a base and scored two runs. Kylee Gail walked and scored two runs. Makayla Bertram went one-for-two with a walk and an RBI. Ellen Anderson walked, stole a base and drove in a run. 

Parker Stotesbery went one-for-three with a run scored. Occasionally I spot a last name that is familiar from when I wrote for the Morris newspaper. Brings warm feelings. 

Border West scored four runs each in the first two innings. 

Let's not forget pitching here! Border West has the creds in that department too. Jadyn Kellen worked throughout and she struck out five batters while allowing two hits. 

Benson has been given the green light to keep using its "Braves" nickname. I'm not sure that is a wise course. University of North Dakota has moved on.

Border West's Sadie Wright threw a no-hitter in the 11-0 win over Lac qui Parle Valley on April 10. Sadie struck out eight. She is the Neon Needles Subway Player of the Game.
 

   

- Brian Williams -morris mn minnesota - musicstuff54@gmail.com