'Bolts win finale in thrilling fashion, earn playoff's sixth seed

• Zach Krueger

Thunderbolts pitcher Zach Krueger was 4-for-5 with three runs, a triple and a home run, in the team’s 16-7 win over Lakeville last week.

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The Thunderbolts adapted softball team is entering playoffs on a high note, after earning a thrilling 14-13 win over Chaska in its final regular season game on Wednesday, May 13 at Woodbury High School.

The ‘Bolts broke a 13-13 tie in the bottom of the final inning as seventh-grader Amanda Henderson drove home Caleb Gotz with an RBI single for the game-winning run on the team’s parent’s night.

“Caleb was so excited, he came and jumped in everybody’s arms,” ‘Bolts head coach Denny Larson said. “It was just like winning the World Series for the kids.

“It was so cool to see all the parents and grandparents show up to honor these kids. That just made my heart pretty happy.”

The sixth-seeded South Washington County team will now travel to No. 3 seed Anoka on Wednesday, May 20 in the opening round of the playoffs. A win over Anoka guarantees a trip to the state tournament, while a loss ends the year.

Prior to the team’s win over Chaska, the Thunderbolts beat Lakeville 16-7 on Monday, May 11 and lost to Dakota United 17-5 on Tuesday, May 12.

In the win over Lakeville, the ‘Bolts jumped out to an 11-3 lead in the game’s first three innings. Then, after Lakeville crept to within 11-6, the ‘Bolts added five runs in the top of the sixth inning to all but seal the win.

In the game, Nathaniel Dunkley was 5-for-5 with four runs scored, Zach Krueger was 4-for-5 with three runs, a triple and a home run, Henderson was 3-for-5 with three runs, Alayna Olsen was 3-for-3 with two runs and Nick Paulson was 2-for-3 with a double and one run scored.

“It should be an interesting end of the season,” Larson said. “We seem to be putting it all together.”

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