A squad of 11 area softball players found state glory Thursday, July 15.
Seven current Brainerd Warriors, two former Warriors, one Pierz Pioneers player and another from the Pillager Huskies program comprised the Northern Nightmares, who toppled the Minnesota Elite Rubischko team 6-2 for the 18U MN Gold League State title at Jane Sage Cowles Stadium on the University of Minnesota campus.
The squad finished with a 14-1 record. The one loss came in the playoffs against the Minnesota Elite Rubischko team 3-1.
The Nightmares then battled out of the loser’s bracket by topping SE Flyers 9-1, Arctic Blast 7-3 and MN Stars 8-0 to create a rematch with the Minnesota Elite team, which rosters 2021 Ms. Softball Brynn Hostettler, who will be pitching for the Gophers next season.
Chloe Munsch and Sydnee Johnson are former Warriors and current Central Lakes College Raiders on the team along with current Warriors Caitlin Banks, Josie Kappes, Kasia Kroll, Meghan Smith, Emma Tautges, Mya Tautges and Olivia Tautges.
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Samantha Berent of Pillager and Pierz’s Brenna Dickmann finished off the roster.
