Eden Prairie senior catcher Noelle Fitzgerald (29) tags out a Maple Grove runner at the plate to end the top of the third inning Friday at Miller Park. The Eagles went on to win their regular-season finale 7-1. Photo by Rick Olson
Eden Prairie’s softball team closed out its regular season with a 7-1 win over Maple Grove on Friday night at Miller Park, powered by senior catcher Noelle Fitzgerald’s early offense and steady defense behind the plate.
Fitzgerald delivered a two-run single in the bottom of the first inning, scoring senior shortstop Maya Miller and sophomore designated player Addison Neiss to give the Eagles an early lead.
Eden Prairie senior shortstop Maya Miller slides home to beat the throw and extend the Eagles’ lead to 4-1 with one out in the third inning. Photo by Rick Olson
The senior catcher made a key defensive play in the top of the third, tagging out a Maple Grove runner at the plate to end the inning. In the bottom of the third, Fitzgerald added her third RBI with another single, again driving in Miller.
With the win, Eden Prairie improved to 12-8, while Maple Grove dropped to 11-9.
The Eagles will host the opening round of the Class 4A, Section 2 tournament next week at Miller Park. Section play begins Tuesday, May 20. Brackets will be released soon.
Noelle Fitzgerald connects for an RBI single in the bottom of the third inning, driving in senior shortstop Maya Miller. Photo by Rick Olson
Eden Prairie senior catcher Noelle Fitzgerald removes her mask on the way to the dugout after ending the top of the third with a tag at the plate on Senior Night. Photo by Rick Olson