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Faribault edges North Branch 2-0 to win 3A championship

By MATTHEW DAVIS, Special to the Star Tribune, 06/08/18, 3:00PM CDT

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Pitching ace McKayla Armbruster gave up just one hit as the top-seeded Falcons continued the Big 9 Conference's hold on the title.


Faribault junior pitcher McKayla Armbruster threw a one-hit shutout as the Falcons defeated North Branch 2-0 for the Class 3A state title. Photo: Shari L. Gross • shari.gross@startribune.com

Opponents had no answer for Faribault junior pitcher McKayla Armbruster in the Class 3A state tournament.

“She attacks; she doesn’t back down, and when you think she’s getting a little tired, she just digs a little deeper and throws a little harder,” Falcons coach Chris Sibler said.

Armbruster gave up just one hit and no runs and struck out nine batters as Faribault captured its first state championship with a 2-0 victory over North Branch on Friday at Caswell Park in North Mankato.

She threw a no-hitter to open the tournament Thursday against Bemidji, and she allowed one run against Winona later in the day.

“My change-ups, I think, were working really well again, and I was just making sure to throw down the middle because these girls are good hitters,” Armbruster said.

North Branch senior pitcher Sam Pederson countered Armbruster’s performance with eight strikeouts and five hits allowed. Pederson, who has committed to Division II Minnesota-Duluth, allowed one earned run at state.

“It was fun, actually,” Pederson said about the pitching duel. “I was just confident the whole time.”

Faribault scored in first inning when senior center fielder Allison Schak hit a double, stole third base and scored after an errant throw. Senior shortstop Bre Bresnahan added an insurance run in the sixth when she scored on an error.

Bresnahan and fellow seniors went out champions after joining the program as seventh-graders when the Falcons won one game in 2013.

“Looking back and looking how far we’ve came, it’s just awesome,” Bresnahan said.

First report

Opponents couldn't an answer for Faribault junior pitcher McKayla Armbruster in the Class 3A state tournament.

Armburster delivered a one-hit shutout as Faribault captured its first state championship with a 2-0 victory over North Branch on Friday at Caswell Park in North Mankato.

She threw a no-hitter to open the tournament Thursday against Bemidji, and she allowed one run against Winona later in the day.

Check back for more on the championship game.

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