Getting a handle on how the draft could go took three steps forward
Men's teed-off the week with an 11th-place finish in Tacoma.
Ahead of a trip to Vermillion Trevor Otterdahl was named Performer of the Week. Down in SD he won the shot put while the ladies represented well in several events on day one. Otterdahl followed it by winning the discus while day two was also good for the women.
Nearby, softball lost the series opener to the Yotes but handled business twice Saturday to get to 6-2 in conference play. In contrast, ⚾️ showed what they're capable of by beating the 23rd-ranked Raiders of Texas Tech 8 - 1 before giving up eight runs in both games the next day. The last time they beat a ranked team was 2016 so despite their record the team could be hitting it's stride at just the right time!
The week also included Josh Babicz signing with the Michigan Panthers of the USFL.
Softball had a mid-week pair against St. Cloud cancelled but were able to split with Bemidji to start the week. They built on the win with two more over Southwest Friday and then hit 20 wins against Sioux Falls Saturday.
The weekend also took 🏃 in two difference directions as some members went to Vermilllion while others soaked up the sun and had fun in Tampa.
Postponements again overwhelmed the week of activity but softball was able to face St. Olaf twice under a dome Saturday and were sent packing emphatically both times. The men also got on the diamond for a pair against Gustavus, losing both but keeping the scores closer.
Following one of the most embarrassing losses in Franchise history the Howl were able to get the last three of the last season and secure a spot against the Lakeless in a win & in game Tuesday. The bounce-back W over Brooklyn gave them 40 wins in back-to-back seasons for the first time since 04/05 and just the fourth time singularly since then. Sunday took shine off of it with Gobert being sent home and McDaniels punching a wall to potentially end his season but Saturday's record-setting performance was the sort of performance that so many who follow the club have been waiting for all season. This year's team is what it is but perhaps that showcase is indicative of what the core can be next season & beyond.
Nine games in the offense has been hit or miss but unexpectedly, the pitching staff has been able to pick up the slack several times. While it would still be great to have a slump-busting, top-of-the-rotation master hurler, the quantity of quality that the brain-trust has put together may be able to manage in much the same way over the 162.
Winning the weekend series against Houston was good but with the next 10 all being against potential playoff teams it's a forging-fire of a gauntlet for them to navigate over the next week & a half. If they can maintain anywhere close to their current 2/1 win/loss ratio then optimism will be firmly warranted. Big IF but not impossible, that would not have been said prior to the season opener.
Down to six games in the season at the start of the week, Fargo traveled to Iowa for a pair. With their franchise-record-tying 38th victory of the season they slid closer to what is still a likely home-ice advantage but the next night, in Waterloo, they were once again stung by their kryptonite with an overtime loss. Of their 20 total Ls on the season seven have come in extra time, which is a red-flag for the clutch-time season but has allowed them to get the cushion that remains between them and the Blackhawks.
In the win forward Cole Knuble became just the fifth member of the franchise to eclipse 30 goals in a season. The team also announced a deal with a future goal-scorer Friday, Masun Fleece.
The next three are at the Arena. With Lincoln still gunning for the second seed as the first taker, next Friday & Saturday are likely to be as challenging as any contest the team has had all season.
Reminder that scores and recruiting news are updated regularly so check back often!
Seasons remain mostly on pause but there were a few developments aside from recruiting.
EDC Softball Coaches Preseason Poll (first place votes)
1 ~ Sheyenne (8)
2 ~ West Fargo (3)
3 ~ Red River
4 ~ Valley City
5 ~ North
6 ~ Central
7 ~ South
8 ~ Davies
9 ~ Devils Lake
10 ~ Horace
11 ~ Shanley
There were also a pair of coaching changes announced as South/Shanley 🏒 head coach Dean French stepping down following the State Title victory. From across the river, Moorhead announced that Josh Krieg would have the role of HC for girls ⚽️.
Comments