Sports shorts

Former Brainerd Warriors standout and current North Dakota State University baseball player Nathan Thomas was named to the NCAA Division I Independent Baseball All-Academic team.

Thomas, a senior majoring in civil engineering, earned a 3.87 GPA this year. Thomas also started 24 games for the Bison and finished with a .210 batting average, 17 hits and 10 runs scored, five RBI and seven walks.

Croquet league to begin at Madden's

The 2005 croquet league will meet 5:45 p.m. Wednesdays beginning May 4 at Madden's Resort courts located next to the tennis clubhouse.

Games start at 6 p.m. Beginners will be given free instructions on how to play the game. All equipment is provided by Madden's.

Anyone interested in joining the league may call Don Rasmussen at 828-4465 for more information.

Little League tournament set at Carlton

The fifth annual Carlton Daze Little League Tournament is scheduled July 29-31 at Chub Lake Fields in Carlton.

The 8-16 team tournament will be double elimination. Teams are guaranteed three games. Registration will be guaranteed upon receipt of check. Entry fee is $150 and one ball per game.

Mail entry fee and game roster to: Deb Bahen, 3161 County Road, Barnum, Minn., 55707.

Questions may be directed to Bahen (218) 389-6717 or e-mail Debbah67@aol.com.

Pillager's Kavanaugh signs with CLC

Joe Kavanaugh of Pillager signed a National Junior College Athletic Association letter of intent to attend Central Lakes College next year and compete in both men's golf and basketball for the Raiders.

Kavanaugh was a member of the Brainerd Dispatch boys' basketball all-area team this year and was named academic all-state as well as lettering four times in golf.

Pioneers go 1-2 in tournament

The Pierz Pioneer softball team lost 10-0 to Staples-Motley and 13-1 to Sebeka before beating Moose Lake/Willow River 16-12 at the Staples-Motley softball tournament Saturday.

Kayla Meyer, Trista LeBlanc and Rachel Bednar all had two hits apiece in the Pioneers' win over ML/WR.