Parker’s RBI single lifts Carlton over Cromwell-Wright

Carlton junior Carly Parker hit a pitch from Cromwell-Wright’s Jill Anderson into shallow right field, scoring two runners and leading the Bulldogs to a 5-3 win in the first round of the Section 7A tournament Tuesday, June 1.

The teams battled back and forth for the first three innings, with the Cardinals taking a two-run lead early, but Carlton battled back to grab a 3-2 lead in the second inning.

Cromwell-Wright tied it up in the fourth inning, setting up Parker’s game-winning hit with two runners in scoring position in the bottom of the fourth inning. Parker said she was frustrated with her first two plate appearances and was just looking to get on base.

“I hadn’t really done well in my first two at bats, so I just wanted to get on base and advance the two runners so we could score,” Parker said.

After Carlton grabbed the lead, freshman pitcher Abby Mitchell held the Cardinals in check and didn’t allow another run to score. Early on, Mitchell said she had a little trouble finding the strike zone, but was able to pitch her out of a couple jams, including a situation with runners on second and third with just one out. Mitchell allowed one run to score, but otherwise limited the damage.

“The ump had a little bit of a tight strike zone today,” Mitchell said. “But once I found it, I just tried to hit those corners and it started working.”

Carlton coach Brent Pokornowski was impressed with the team’s ability to battle back after getting down early.

“They’re resilient, they’ve got a never-quit attitude,” Pokornowski said. “(Cromwell) hit the ball really well, but we were able to stop those timely hits and Abby’s just continued to hit those spots and got us out of runners on second and third. Working her way out of that inning was huge.”

Carlton (8-7) will play Cherry in the second round of the Section 7A tournament at 11 a.m. Thursday, June 3, at Braun Park in Cloquet.

WP: Abby Mitchell 7IP, 3ER, 11K. LP: Jill Anderson 6IP, 5R, 15K. C: Elizabeth Hey 2x3, 2R; Carly Parker 1x3, 2RBI. Carley Lawry 2R. CW: Anderson 2x3, R; Vaida Blomquist 1x3, R, RBI.