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MarshfieldAreaSports.com
RHINELANDER – The Auburndale softball team placed second in its bracket by going 2-1 at the Danny Mac Invitational at the Hodag Dome on Thursday and Friday to open its 2024 campaign.
Auburndale defeated Rice Lake 9-6 on Thursday and Lakeland 1-0 on Friday before losing the bracket championship game to New London 13-1 on Friday afternoon.
Auburndale opened up a 9-0 lead against Rice Lake in its tournament opener before Rice Lake made a game of it, scoring three times in the sixth inning and three more times in the seventh before the Eagles got the final out.
Myra Krings had two hits and scored twice, and Danika Blomberg and Breleigh Grimm each had two RBI for Auburndale.
Morgan Griesbach was the star of the semifinal win over Lakeland as she no-hit the Thunderbirds. She had two walks and one hit batter, but did not allow a hit and struck out 12 in the seven-inning shutout.
The lone run of the game was scored by Auburndale in the fourth inning as Krings reached on an error, went to second on a bunt single by Griesbach, and scored on a throwing error.
Auburndale was held to five hits and one run by New London. Blomberg knocked in the only Eagles’ run with an RBI triple in the first inning.
Weather permitting, Auburndale will play a nonconference game at Wautoma on Tuesday before playing its home opener Thursday against Colby.