Perham softball eliminated by TRF in close game

The Perham Yellowjackets softball team made it to the Section 8AA Elite 8 round before being eliminated by Thief River Falls in a close 8-7 loss June 8 in Frazee.

In the first round, the Yellowjackets hosted Wadena-Deer Creek at Arvig Park, and they easily moved on with a 13-1 win over the Wolverines.

The team then moved into the double elimination round of the tournament. They were shut out by Frazee 8-0 in the early game June 3, but came back in the second game against Barnesville with a 10-9 victory to stay alive in the playoffs. Their playoff hopes would be dashed, however, as they lost to Thief River Falls 8-7 in an elimination game June 8.

First-year head coach Jason Groth said the team really started to play well together as the season progressed.

"I really thought this team started to play its best all towards the end of the season," Groth said. "It didn't end the way we had hoped, but overall it was a good season."

Groth also praised this year's seniors, especially after missing last season because of COVID.

"Our senior crew had to overcome a lot of adversity before the 2021 season started after losing a full season due to the pandemic. They came ready to work every day and helped lay the foundation for the future for this program," he said. "I'm really appreciative of their effort and the work they put in during the 2021 season."

The Yellowjackets finished with an overall record of 11-13.

Section 8AA First Round (June 1)

Yellowjackets 13, Wolverines 1

WDC 1 0 0 0 0 x - 1

PER 3 3 0 7 x x - 13

WP-Katie Johnson (PER)

PER-Grayce Mickelson 1H; Katie Johnson 2H, 1RBI; Lily Lorenson 3H; Emma Daniels 2H, 2R; Leah Honer 2H, 1R; Bri Hofmann 1H, 2RBI; Marissa Hopwood 1H; Hannah Hunter 1H, 2R

Pitching

PER-Katie Johnson 5IP, 1R, 2H, 4BB

Section 8AA Elite 8 - Double Elimination (June 3)

Hornets 8, Yellowjackets 0

PER 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 - 0

FRA 0 0 3 0 5 0 x - 8

LP-Steph Meissner (PER)

PER-Grayce Mickelson 1H; Lily Lorenson 1H; Emma Daniels 1H; Bri Hofmann 1H; Marissa Hopwood 1H

Pitching

PER-Steph Meissner 6IP, 8R, 12H, 1K

Section 8AA - Elimination Game (June 3)

Yellowjackets 10, Trojans 9

BAR 2 1 2 0 2 1 1 - 9

PER 9 0 1 0 0 0 x - 10

WP-Katie Johnson (PER)

PER-Grayce Mickelson 3H, 2R; Katie Johnson 1H, 1R, 1RBI; Lily Lorenson 2H, 3RBI; Leah Honer 2H, 1R; Bri Hofmann 1R, 1RBI; Alivia Trepanier 1H, 1R, 1RBI; Hannah Zachariason 1H, 1RBI; Marissa Hopwood 1H

Pitching

PER-Katie Johnson 7IP, 9R, 13H, 3K

Section 8AA - Elimination Game (June 8)

Prowlers 8, Yellowjackets 7

PER 0 0 0 2 1 4 0 - 7

TRF 0 2 1 3 0 0 2 - 8

LP-Katie Johnson (PER)

PER-Grayce Mickelson 2H, 1R; Katie Johnson 1H, 2R; Lily Lorenson 1R, 1H; Emma Daniels 2H, 1R; Leah Honer 2H; Alivia Trepanier 1H, 1R; Hannah Hunter 1R

1/2: Perham's Steph Meissner waits at first base in the Yellowjackets game against Wadena-Deer Creek June 1, 2021, at Arvig Park in Perham. (Meghan Perry / Focus)

2/2: Grayce Mickelson plays defense in the Yellowjackets win against Wadena-Deer Creek June 1, 2021, at Arvig Park in Perham. (Meghan Perry / Focus)