Lumberjacks softball team is going to state!

• Section champs!

The Cloquet softball girls hoist the Section 7AA Championship trophy after beating Hibbing 9-0 at Braun Park. This is the 2nd trip to state (2002 previously) softball in program history for the Lumberjacks. Dave Harwig/Pine Journal

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The Cloquet girls softball team defeated Hibbing 9-0 Thursday afternoon at Braun Park, sending the 'Jacks to state for the first time in 10 years.

Thursday’s game pitted two teams that weren’t supposed to be here. Cloquet was a No. 4 seed; Hibbing a No. 5. Neither team’s record was gaudy, and Hibbing hadn’t been to a section final since the mid-’90s, but both got on a roll at the right time while higher seeds like Hermantown (who fell to Cloquet last Friday) and Mora got knocked out.

Cloquet Sophomore Chandler Beaupre overcame a shaky start to throw a two-hitter with seven strikeouts, while senior Lizz Jezierski paced the offense by going 3-for-4 with a triple and three RBIs to lead the Lumberjacks.

Cloquet (14-9) advances to its second state tournament, where the Lumberjacks will play the Section 5 winner at 1 p.m. Thursday at Caswell Park in North Mankato, Minn. If that wasn’t enough, today is graduation for Cloquet’s seven seniors.

Read more in next week's Pine Journal.

Section 7AA Championship

Thursday’s Result

Cloquet 9, Hibbing 0

At Braun Park. WP: Chandler Beaupre 7IP, 2H, 7K, BB. C (14-9): Liz Jezierski 3x4 (3B), 3RBIs, R; Kelly Carlson 2H, 2R; Dalyce Gustafson H, 2R; Shania Paulson 2B, BB, 2RBIs; Alyssa Michaelson 2H, R, RBI; Beaupre 2R-HR. H (12-14): Emily Milani H, Dory Johnson H.

Tags: sports, softball, cloquet