The Golden Rams traveled to Waite Park, Minnesota on Wednesday to prepare for the Region XIIIA tournament, which features the top four teams from the MCAC-South Division. The winner of the tournament receives a bid to the national tournament in Syracuse, New York. The tournament was originally scheduled to begin Thursday morning, but due to poor field conditions and severe weather, it was postponed to Friday morning. The first game of Friday saw the #2-seeded Golden Rams take on the #3-seeded Yellowjackets of RCTC. Anoka-Ramsey was able to walk away with a win, advancing to the winner's game later in the evening against the #1-seeded Cyclones of SCTCC, who hosted the tournament. The Golden Rams succumbed to the Cyclones but will still advance to the second day of the tournament. 

In game one, the Golden Rams trailed the Yellowjackets 1-0 after the first inning, but quickly turned things around, highlighted by a four-run third inning. Molly Gross was the starting pitcher who picked up the win, as she struck out five while allowing just three hits. She is now 1-0 in postseason play with the win. From the plate, Marissa Kerry was 2-3 with a double and three RBIs. Lyla Galli was 2-4 with a double, triple, and two RBIs. Hailey Babcock was also 2-4. The Golden Rams didn't produce as much offense as they have in recent games, but it was still plenty to get by the Yellowjackets, as they defeated them by a final score of 7-2. Coach Dave Alto was impressed with his team's fight early, saying that the Golden Rams got off to a "great start" in the tournament, and they "hit the ball well.". He also noted that Molly Gross, the starting pitcher, was "very effective on the mound keeping their hitters off-balance." 

In the second game of the day, the Golden Rams took on the Cyclones of SCTCC, who had previously defeated MN West. It was a rocky start for the Golden Rams, especially on defense, as they trailed 4-1 after two innings. The Golden Rams would fight back though, as they held SCTCC to just one run through the final five innings. Anoka-Ramsey added one in the fifth and sixth, and got two runners on in the seventh, looking to tie the game or take the lead, but ultimately couldn't get runners home in the key moments. On the mound, Lyla Galli recovered nicely after giving up some early hits. She struck out four while allowing seven hits. Galli is now 0-1 in postseason play. From the plate, the Golden Rams struggled to find much consistency for much of the game, but were still able to rack up seven hits as a team. Sunny Strait was 2-3 with a double and an RBI. Emma Bright was 2-4 as well. It was a disappointing result for Anoka-Ramsey, who have now dropped three straight against the Cyclones and find themselves on the brink of elimination. Head Coach Dave Alto thought the team played well overall, but said the team "just couldn't get the key hits with runners in scoring position. We will bounce back tomorrow."

Anoka-Ramsey will take on MN West in an elimination game on Saturday at 10AM. If they win, they will advance to take on the Cyclones two more times. Anoka-Ramsey must win all three games on Saturday to advance to the national tournament. The games will all be held at Rivers Edge Park in Waite Park, Minnesota. 

-Story written by Nick Balmanno, Athletics Intern