High school sports this time of year deserves more attention than it gets from the media IMHO. I would argue that media elucidating guidance is especially important because the teams get into these double-elimination tournaments. An example being MACA softball. Shall I be a broken record and say again that the websites of our local media businesses - newspaper and radio station - could do more?
The radio station probably does all it can with its audio aspect. And they need "sponsors" I'm sure. But the website? It sits there with all the potential in the world to elucidate.
Man, I had trouble following double-elimination tournaments even when I was active in the media. I mean the commercial media. I can still write today as I'm doing now. But I do depend on other media outlets for raw information. And then my goal is to add life to that information.
The radio station had an "up" period when Brett Miller was there. It must have been his own impetus that gave us such good coverage from the site. But he's gone. So often now, we can expect only "scores" from the site. Anyone catching hell for that? I mean, the way I'd catch hell for any perceived shortcoming at the paper?
People will probably tell me, "Brian, quit living in the past." Ah yes, getting older. This I am reminded of now when I take my walks east of town. I am unsettled at how people will accost me to just ask if I'm "OK." So I'm getting the message that I must look old or something. I have white hair. I feel I easily have the stamina to continue doing this. Maybe it's just a wee bit more challenging.
And keep in mind that in a past time, I'd go out to these places and be running, not walking. Some long-time Morris residents might remember me doing that. Back then, people might have been concerned about me because they'd think I was obsessed with the pastime. Well, some people get obsessed with model railroads!
I am happy to report today (Friday) that our MACA baseball Tigers enjoyed success yesterday in post-season play. We're talking Section 3AA. And wasn't it great that the game was played here in Morris? Hallelujah. I mean, after the trips required for the softball fans.
Softball season is over. Once again the Tigers who are such world-beaters in the regular season got stopped shy of state.
Baseball? We're advancing on the strength of the 9-2 win over New London-Spicer. So now we're getting set for the next game: Saturday against Luverne. Well, now we'll need a trip down to Marshall. Will the day ever come when Morris fans can quit traveling to Marshall so much for section games? Wouldn't it be super if Morris was the host instead?
Our baseball facilities are good enough. Our softball facilities are not.
Game-time on Saturday is high noon. How super is the MACA won-lost now? Well, it couldn't be more super than this: 21-0. I know at least some MACA baseball parents check to see if I'm writing about the team. Bless them. Many of us might disengage from following high school sports now, because the school year is over, graduation has been held. This is all the more reason why our local commercial media should really be leading us with their efforts. I'm thinking primarily their websites.
Websites have all the potential in the world, all the time - no limits. So let's go guys. I am actually offended when I check the Stevens County Times site and find nothing but UMM sports. Am I representative?
Baseball top-seeded
MACA fans could relax Thursday as our team jumped out to a 6-1 lead. It's what we would have expected as we're seeded tops. NL-Spicer owned No. 4. Yes, this is double-elimination so NL-S is not done.
The West Central Trib article is tilted toward the Wildcats. I suspect that our MACA remains out of the paper's coverage territory. But on the positive side, let's note that the web article of this morning has thorough MACA game stats. Give credit where it is due, of course.
This is a surprise: the Tigers were out-hit by the Wildcats 10-5! But look at the errors: six by the Wildcats, two by MACA.
Our Riley Asmus survived giving up the ten hits. He wasn't fooling the Wildcats but he got the "W" next to his name. He struck out five batters and walked four.
Jackson Hallman had his arm called on for the last 1 2/3 innings. "Closer" Hallman gave up no hits, struck out two and walked two.
The losing pitcher was Logan Swenson. Cole Laughlin also pitched.
Rather anemic with hits, the Tigers were. Andrew Marty had a highlight with a triple. He scored a run. Riley Asmus was hitless but he scored two runs. Ozzy Jerome had a hit and walked once. He stole a base, drove in a run and scored a run.
Alex Asmus had a one-for-four line. Jack Kehoe was a perfect two-for-two and he walked. He scored a run and drove in one.
Hallman worked the pitcher for a walk. Kye Suess walked and drove in a run. And Drew Huebner stole a base and crossed home plate once. These NL-Spicer Wildcats had multiple-hit games: Blake Schultz, Nolan Johnson and Andres Rojas.
Softball: heartbreak in Marshall
Another season with no state tournament berth in spite of such an awesome regular season. Each year I write about how it's so hard trying to get past the southern Minnesota teams to get to state. Year after year.
So look what happened this time around, in the 2025 edition of post-season softball. File it away as another disappointment for the Tigers and their loyal fans who are called upon to travel so much for the post-season. This is sad: Multiple trips to Marshall. We have come to expect this. I'm sure it cuts down on the number of Morris fans taking in the games in person. I wish this would be remedied. The action seems so distant, it is probably out-of-mind for many of us. I'm thinking of the non-parents, the casual fans.
The end came for MACA on Thursday. This was a 14-inning marathon affair! Jackson County Central won 7-2.
JCC scored two runs in the third inning. The Tigers tied the score in the third. Our kingdom for just one more run. It didn't happen. The score stayed the same for the next ten innings! The pitching shut the door.
The Huskies had to wriggle out of some jams. Leading them from the pitching circle was Hadley Wachal. My, Wachal pitched all 14 innings in her memorable performance. Fast-pitch softball does not drain the pitching arm like baseball does. Wachal struck out 19 batters. She threw 235 pitches.
![]() |
Hadley Wachal |
When finally the JCC offense got untracked, it was most decisive with five runs in the top of the 14th. A different Wachal, Mady, had the big hit that drove in two runs. Mady had three hits total. JCC's last three runs came home on an MACA fielding miscue.
JCC had a hit total of 14 in the game. Cora Pauling had four of those. Braelyn Boogerd and Miley VanDeVere each rapped two. It was a long trip home for the MACA fans afterward, I'm sure.
I remember covering the Tigers when they made the state tournament. Super excited atmosphere there. I remember driving to Mankato. It's not a straight-shot route, plus no ease of the Interstate Highway! I had to keep a road map handy. But it was a blast. I remember that Mankato sure had good seating accommodations for the fans. Totally different from Morris. Well, I guess we accepted the "complex" built as it is. I can only comment now and then. "Mongo just pawn in game of life."
Oh, I remember traveling to cover the Tigers in state in St. Cloud and Fridley. St. Cloud was in the early years.
Let's see, what are the odds that the SCT website will give us some coverage of the section softball tournament? You know the answer. Here's a top headline: "UMN Morris football to play first home game Oct. 4." I don't give a flying whatever. UMM football?
The paper has a person paid to write about sports. This situation is "Alice Through the Looking Glass."
I wish I could type some individuals' names for MACA softball this morning. I cannot. IMHO there is no excuse for this. One of the team members is my neighbor Addie Cihak. There, I typed one name!
To repeat: It's hard enough to build enthusiasm about a team playing in a double-elimination tournament so far away, in Marshall. We need some real media leadership. But they're all totally asleep at the wheel. Why?
- Brian Williams - morris mn minnesota - bwilly73@yahoo.com