It Takes 13 Innings, But Burnsville Stays Alive in Softball Sectionals

Megan Lehnen knocked in a two-out game winner with an infield hit in the 13th inning to lift top-ranked Burnsville to a dramatic 1-0 win over Eastview Wednesday in the quarterfinals of the Section 3AAA softball tournament.

Burnsville's Kelsey Anderson singled to lead off the bottom of the 13th inning and was replaced by courtesy runner, Laura Comee.  Abby Harazin came through with a clutch bunt to get Comee into scoring position.  Ninth grader Kelly Grove grounded out and Comee advanced to third with two outs.  Senior Megan Lehnen sent her team to the next round with an infield hit to score Comee.

Both teams pitched and played solid defense in a marathon game.

The Blaze had runners in scoring position in the third and fourth inning, but couldn't score.  Senior pitcher Kelsey Anderson held Eastview to two hits through seven innings.

In the bottom of the seventh, sophomore Megan Threlkeld led off with a base hit. Junior Abby Harazin sacrificed her to second base, but the game remained scoreless and extra softball was played.  

Anderson retired six straight through the eighth and ninth innings and Burnsville kept working to end the game in the home half.

In the 10th inning, Burnsville once again had runners in scoring position.  Junior Abby Johnson was hit by a pitch and junior Laura Nadeau reached on an infield hit, but Eastview's defense wouldn't budge.

As the game proceeded to the 13th inning, Anderson and her defense retired Eastview 1-2-3.

Anderson pitched all 13 innings, striking out five and allowed five hits.

Burnsville now 19-1 overall, faces Park of Cottage Grove Friday at Eagan in a game starting at 5:30 p.m.

Game notes: Anderson, 2-5;  Threlkeld, 3-5;  Nadeau, 2-5, double.