History was made on May 30, as the St. Francis High School (SFHS) softball team claimed the Section 5AAA Championship to reach the Minnesota State High School League Class AAA Girls Softball State Tournament for the first time in 41 years. The state appearance on June 5 at Caswell Park in North Mankato, Minn. will be the third in program history after qualifying for state in 1983 and 1980.
“This is 41 years in the making,” said SFHS Head Softball Coach Sharon Bergman. “[This season] we are trying to play for people; to play for those first women that started softball here in the district, for Vern Gilbertson, for the 2020 team that didn’t get to play because of COVID, and for all the girls who have had this goal of getting state and haven’t. It's been a huge honor and a joy.”
The Fighting Saints own a 18-5-1 record and as the No. 5 seed in the tournament will play Rocori in the quarterfinal round at 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday. Rocori enters the tournament with a 19-2 record and are the Section 8AAA Champions. View the Class AAA bracket and learn more about ticket prices and how to follow.
On June 4, a special send-off to the state tournament was organized for the softball team. View photos from the event.
Bergman is in her 10th year with the program, but just her fourth as the varsity head coach.
“Many of these girls have been on the varsity or junior varsity level since the seventh or eighth grade,” Bergman said. “They have been through the growing pains of the last four years and many of them commit all year long to getting to this season. We have really focused on not overthinking and being confident in our abilities heading to state.”
In the section tournament, the Saints were the No. 2 seed and defeated Delano, the No. 1 seed, 7-0 in the championship game. SFHS also defeated Delano 6-5 earlier in the tournament after losing 7-4 to the Tigers during the regular season. Last year, SFHS were runner-up in the section tournament.
Player reactions to making it to state:
Kiersten Terris
“It means a lot because I know that we have all been working so hard in the offseason and during the season for this moment. We are very excited to represent St. Francis softball and the community here.”
Taleeya Draack
“It’s real because we are doing something that St. Francis hasn’t done in 41 years. It’s just amazing to be a part of. It’s something that not a lot of girls get to experience, so I’m glad to be a part of it with this team.”
Addisyn Halland
“It’s unreal. It’s especially exciting with this being my first year on varsity and getting to know and play with these girls. It’s a one-of-a-kind experience and a good way to end my senior year.”
Kara Schwintek
“This experience is crazy. I’ve only played softball for three years and finishing out my senior year going to state is pretty real. This team is so young, so I’m very proud of all of their accomplishments.”
It's been a big year for Saints softball. In September the 1980 softball team, the first to make state in program history, was enshrined into the St. Francis High School Hall of Fame. Later in the year, a scholarship was started to help recognize the impact Gilbertson has had on Saints softball.