Farmington Blanks Owatonna in Softball Playoff Opener

Farmington pitcher Maddie Muelken had chemotherapy Tuesday morning for Hodgkin's lymphoma then pitched the Tigers past the Huskies 3-0 in the playoffs in the afternoon.

The senior was diagnosed with the form of cancer in March, as reported by the Sun This Week southern metro publication. Her mother told KRFO Radio after Tuesday's game that doctors want her to keep on a normal routine as much as possible. For the No. 4 ranked Tigers, that routine includes Muelken throwing strikes and winning games. The family and FHS coaching staff report that treatment is going well.

Owatonna managed six hits, but only advanced one runner to third base. Another was thrown out at third, by Muelken, while trying to advance on a ground ball. An OHS runner was also caught stealing attempting to steal second. The Huskies had base runners in all but one inning. Ellie Rohman had three hits.

Huskies hurler Alexa Sommers kept the Tigers at bay, only allowing a two-out single in each of the first two innings. Sommers set down the side in order in the third. Farmington broke through in the fourth. A single and double off the fence put runners at second and third. A hard ground ball to Rohman at second followed. She threw home and Kenzie Karsten tagged out the base runner. Sommers struck out the next batter. The No. 7 batter in the Tigers' order sent a long deep drive down the right field line that Owatonna's Erin Peterson couldn't quite catch up to, resulting in a two-run triple.

Farmington's clean-up batter smashed a no-doubt home run over the left field fence in the sixth inning, her ninth of the season.

Huskies third baseman Jamie Davison and shortstop Jenna Von Ruden both had solid games with multiple chances. Davison had a double. Von Ruden singled and reached base twice. Tiana Blazek had the Huskies' other hit.

Owatonna (6-14) will play an elimination game at 4PM Thursday at Todd Park in Austin in the Section 1AAAA playoffs on KRFO AM 1390. Farmington (18-3) will play in the winners bracket semifinals at 4PM Thursday as well. The Tigers have won the section title in three of the past five years.