Ashley Tibbetts can sleep soundly now — her dream came true Tuesday.
For the first time in her successful Brainerd Warriors career, Tibbetts launched a ball over the fence at Adamson Field.
The senior second baseman liked the feeling so much she did it twice. Tibbetts’ power and overall hitting helped the Warriors to a 4-1, 7-0 sweep of the St. Cloud Tech Tigers to improve to 11-0 in the Central Lakes Conference, 12-0 overall.
“She might have been just my speed, I’m not sure, but hitting one over this fence has been a dream since my sophomore year so I’m pretty pumped about that,” said Tibbetts. “That was awesome.”
Tibbetts finished 3-4 with the two home runs and three RBIs in Game One. In Game Two, she was 3-3 with a run. Her hitting so befuddled the Tigers that they walked her in her final two at bats.
Her six hits were twice as many as the entire Tech team.
“(Assistant coach Dan) Bzdok and I have been working on changing a few things with my swing,” said Tibbetts. “I think they are starting to help a lot.”
Game One
Nikki Anderson shut down the Tech offense, facing one batter over the minimum. Of the 22 batters she faced, she struck out 10 to complete the 4-1 no-hitter.
The only Tigers’ batter to reach base came on a one-out error in the fifth inning. She later scored on another throwing error for the only blemish in an almost perfect game.
Tibbetts opened the bottom of the first inning with a leadoff home run. Ali Beadle followed with a single and scored on Karlie Manton’s single for a 2-0 edge.
In the sixth, Alyssa Thoennes reached on a fielder’s choice and Tibbetts’ second home run brought her home for the final score.
“I thought we were somewhat flat again, but not every game is going to be perfect,” said Warriors head coach Mike Zauhar. “And we have to find a way to get through games and I think that first game we gutted it out.
“The second game we were a little more focused. We got some key hits and some key defensive plays. The second game was a little bit smoother. Thank God for Tibbetts and thank God for Nikki Anderson in that first game.”
Game Two
Chelsie Manton led off the third inning with a bunt single that opened the flood gates for Brainerd. Tibbetts followed with a single and both scored on Beadle’s double. Beadle later scored to make it 3-0.
That was all the runs Anderson needed. She went four innings, allowing one hit and striking out five. Karlie Manton relieved for the final three innings. She struck out four and allowed two hits and one unearned run.
Carlie Sweet was 3-3 with a run. That run came during a three-run fifth that she led off. Alanna Hanson, who was 2-4, drove her home and later scored on Trisha Kramer’s single. Karlie Manton, who reached on an error also scored for a 6-0 lead.
Hannah Kangas opened the seventh with a single and scored on an error for the final score.
The victories avenged Brainerd’s 2-0 loss to Tech last year. It was one of just two regular-season losses for Brainerd.
“Our team is that much better from last year and there is so much more confidence,” Tibbetts said. “Everyone just comes ready to play and we’re trying really hard to do well this season.
“A goal for us is to go undefeated, so we’re going to try really, really hard for that.”
Game One
St. Cloud Tech 000 010 0 — 1 0 0
Brainerd 200 002 x — 4 11 2
Tech: Becca Sytsma and Abigail Sytsma
Brainerd: Nikki Anderson and Carlie Sweet
WP: Anderson. LP: B. Sytsma.
HR: Brd-Ashley Tibbetts 2
RBIs: Brd-Tibbetts 3, Karlie Manton
LOB: Brd 7, Tech 0
Game Two
St. Cloud Tech 000 000 1 — 1 3 4
Brainerd 003 030 1 — 7 16 1
Tech: Sarah Forsythe and Kenna Hanisch
Brainerd: Anderson, Karlie Manton (5) and Sweet and Tibbetts (6)
WP: Anderson. LP: Forsythe. Sv: Manton.
2B: Brd-Tibbetts, Tech-Alison Host
3B: Brd-K. Manton
RBIs: Brd-Ali Beadle 2, Alanna Hanson, Trisha Kramer, Tech-Becca Sytsma
DP: Tech 1
LOB: Brd 13, Tech 4
JEREMY MILLSOP may be reached at jeremy.millsop@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5856.
Comments (13)
Add commentCoaching issues
I have been following Warriors Softballl for a number of years and it is really amazing how these two coaches still continue to screw up a good thing. They really dont have a clue!! Brainerd is blessed with probably the best pitchers in the conference and equivalent to the best in the state......Do you think they know how to take advantage of the talent they have on this team? NOT!!! Is the Matton kid hurt? haven't seen her throw at all. Is it because someone might actually get a hit? Ha, I actually feel bad for Anderson, poor kid cant get a break just because coaches don't want anyone to hit.
Talk about riding you work horses to death!! ALL FOR WHAT? So the two can say they went the season undefeated? So they can stick feathers in their caps and think that people really think their great?
How much work do they really put into their program? Funny, I have only seen coach Tim Hill working with girls in the summer time. Most every other coach in the conference has summer teams, developing younger players and actually making their program better. These two ya-hoos are trying to shine for a couple months on someone elses efforts.
Another question, are your kids actually getting you're hard earned money's worth? I don't think so.....
Why is it they refuse to move some players around? Why, is it because they think they'll screw up their precious record. It doesn't mean squat if they fall on their face at state.....Anyone remember last year? Truth is our competetion is terrible in the conference. These poor girls have no true competetion around here. How about putting some of the other girls in coach? You might accidently build a stronger team. I have spoke with a few of these kids and if the coaches really think these girls are having fun, their sadly mistaken and worse off than I thought. These poor kids are so intimidated by these two it's sickening! Oh, I guess I shouldn't speak for all of them.....they do have their precious few they treat ok, unless they screw up....
here is my thought
you have a kid who you think is better than someone that plays and you want your kid to play?
My assumption and I know what assuming does.
With that said, if they are winning all their games, guess what?
The coaches are doing the right thing.
Coaching makes you win during the regular season and into the playoffs. Players, not choking makes you win at state. No matter how well you coach a kid, you can not coach out the nerves a kid gets at state
Assumptions
You are correct in knowing what an assumption is....First off, thank GOD my kid is finally done with this coach and now in college. Second, I was NOT or NEVER believed that my kid was better than someone else playing, her and I both knew then it was not the case. I just remember the days of her frustration when she was there sitting just like I see in the eyes of some of the players now.
There is aways a time when a coach needs to make the decision to put in the strongest players I agree and I'm not saying they should ever jeopardize a loss for any reason, but when they are up 10 to zero make some changes give some others opportunities besides base running. I feel bad for those that pay a ridiculous fee to only have their kid run bases. After all, it's what happens at the end that really counts right?....Or, do you feel it better to say we went 16-0 during conference but lost every game at state.
I agree you can't coach nerves out of a kid, all I'm saying is don't add fuel to the fire thats already burning.
I believe with the talent this team has any coach could get the same results and seeing the history without a doubt they'd ALL have more fun.
I would have ASSUMED leading a team by intimidation would be a thing of the past by now but unfortunately some things never change.
Mosssmith, It didn't pass,
Mosssmith,
It didn't pass, but they crammed it down our throats anyway using a loophole. So why aren't the fees "minimal"?
"Do you think our community
"Do you think our community would renew the current amount, go higher, or vote down any sort of new levy?"
Not sure. However, they might want present options to the voters, vs an all or nothing.
Coaching
Let the coaches coach, and let the players play. We have too many parents who think they know more than the coaches. If you think you know so much, get out there and coach, who's stopping you? Oh, that's right, you just want to sit back and complain about what "you" think the coaching staff is doing wrong.
exactly btlebb59, well said
High school sports are not little league. If your kid doesnt play, maybe they should have practiced harder or maybe took off other sports to concentrate on the favorite one to get better. Maybe you should have worked harder with her. Maybe her lack of playing is your fault as a parent.
The best players should play and favoritism, which does run rampant in many sports in this town from what I understand, should be absent.
The beginning of the year is tryout time. If your kid failed at showing the coaches her skill level is better than a starter or a sub, then I would have to say suck it up, keep practicing hard and if you end up deserving it then you did it. If you give up, then its your fault.
Most coaches do notice hard work, talent, improvement and lack of brain farts in a player.
idiot finder, maybe you should look in the mirror, you may find one
exactly btlebb59, well said
High school sports are not little league. If your kid doesnt play, maybe they should have practiced harder or maybe took off other sports to concentrate on the favorite one to get better. Maybe you should have worked harder with her. Maybe her lack of playing is your fault as a parent.
The best players should play and favoritism, which does run rampant in many sports in this town from what I understand, should be absent.
The beginning of the year is tryout time. If your kid failed at showing the coaches her skill level is better than a starter or a sub, then I would have to say suck it up, keep practicing hard and if you end up deserving it then you did it. If you give up, then its your fault.
Most coaches do notice hard work, talent, improvement and lack of brain farts in a player.
idiot finder, maybe you should look in the mirror, you may find one
Coaching
Looks to me like you agree with me, thanks.....Read what you type btlebb59, "Let the coaches coach, AND LET THE PLAYERS PLAY" read it again, you might see my issue with the coaches as only part of this is happening. Coaches are "coaching", players AREN'T playing.
So, you're telling me if you paid the $$$ for your kid to sit the bench you'd be happy as a lark......I don't think so.
And yes you're right, I just want to sit back and complain about what "I" think the coaching staff is doing wrong.
Just because I can.
Again, I don't have an issue
Again, I don't have an issue with the want too win every game, nor do I have an issue with putting in "All Star" players when needed. But when your making a mockery of some of the other teams, maybe there would be the slightest opportunity to actually play some of the less fortunate kids that grew up with "bad parenting".
Signed,
Faulty Parent