The Anoka-Ramsey Softball team competed in the final day of the Minnesota Classic this past Friday, March 24, and came away with another 3-game sweep.

The Golden Rams opened with a convincing 8-0, 5-inning win over Rainy River, followed by a hard-fought, exciting bottom of 7^th win over the Hamline JV 4-3, and another 9-1, 6-inning win over Central Lakes.

The opening game witnessed sophomore pitcher Molly Gross pitch another gem for the third game this week. Gross struck out eight batters while walking no one. She also gave up only 3 hits in her second consecutive shut-out of the week. Gross gave up no earned runs all week while picking up her 4^th win of the season.

Offensively the Golden Rams started out stinging the ball scoring four runs on six hits highlighted by a homerun by catcher Emma Hurd. The team would add two more runs in the 2^nd and 4^th innings to help finish this game by run rule in the 5^th inning. Hurd would go 3-3 with 3 runs scored and 4 RBI’s. Hailey Babcock, Lyla Galli, and Maddie Bottineau would each two hits a-piece. In addition, Emma Bright would add 4 stolen bases.

Game two saw a hotly contested game with the Hamline JV. The Pipers would jump out to an early 2-0 lead after ½ inning of play, but the Golden Rams would get one run back in the bottom of the 2^nd when Bottineau ripped a two-out home run.

The scored stayed 2-1 Hamline until the bottom of the 5^th when Anoka-Ramsey two runs on consecutive hits by Bottineau, Alyssa Meadows, and Kelsey Henninger and a two-out hit by Bright. Then with the game tied 3-3 in the bottom of the 7^th inning with the bases loaded and one-out, Bright ripped a game winning single over the left-fielders head for the win. Bottineau picked up her 4^th win of the season scattering 9 hits while striking out six batters.

The final game of the day saw the Golden Rams take on the Raiders from Central Lakes for the third time this year with the Golden Rams getting the same result. Anoka-Ramsey scored in every inning but the 4^th inning to help end this game in six-innings.

The highlight of the game was Hurd’s grand slam in the bottom of the 6^th inning for the win and ice cream. Bright had three hits along with Meadows and Gross contributing two hits a-piece. Galli notched her 5^th win of the season giving up 1 run on only 5 hits.

Anoka-Ramsey CC is now 13-9 on the season. The teams next action is the MCAC Crossover Tournament in Rochester on March 31 and April 1 at the RCTC Bubble in Rochester, MN. The Golden Rams will play MN West and Itasca on March 31^st and Rainy River and Central Lakes on the April 1^st.