ABOVE: Fairmont Post 36 poses with their Minnesota American Legion Fastpitch Softball State Championship trophy on Sunday, Aug 3.

FAIRMONT – For the second time in three seasons, Fairmont Post 36 took home the Minnesota American Legion Fastpitch Softball State Championship on Sunday, Aug 3 at Fairmont’s Cardinal Park.

It was another masterclass performance by both sides of the ball. Using strong offensive and pitching performances, Fairmont took down Parkers Prairie Post 219, 10-4-winning its third consecutive game of the weekend.

The afternoon started with both teams feeling out the other in the first frame. After each offensive trip lasted in stranding runners on base, the first inning ended with a score of 0-0.

In the top of the second, however, Post 36 rattled together five runs of their own to take the early advantage.

The frame started with Bria Williamson and Gabriella Leiding reaching base after a handful of errors by the Parkers Prairie shortstop, putting runners on first and second with no outs recorded.

A perfectly placed bunt from Saige Leiding was bobbled again by the Post 219 defense. The second error of the inning put runners on every base for Fairmont.

The first two runs were scored via a drawn walk from Mackenzie Lowry and Gwyneth Schultz.

With two outs on the table and runners still on every base, Brylee Miller slapped one into the outfield for a bases clearing triple, finishing the frame with an early crooked number.

Fairmont officially put it out of reach later in the top of the fourth inning. Following a walk and a stolen base from leadoff hitter Brooklyn Stone, Schultz sent a towering home run over the centerfield fence to tack onto the lead.

Williamson extended the lead later in the inning to nine after ripping a two run double with runners on second and third.

Post 36’s impressive offensive showcase was capped off in the sixth inning. Schultz powered another ball deep over the center field wall to eclipse the 10-run mark yet again for Fairmont.

Fairmont ended the afternoon with eight hits of their own, scoring 10 or more runs for the third time this tournament.

“It was the same thing we have been doing,” Fairmont coach Aaron Lowry said. “We have been putting the bat on the ball, we have been being aggressive, and we haven’t slowed down. The girls have confidence, and if they get out once they come back the next time.”

Parkers Prairie showed some life in the sixth and seven innings of the contest, scoring two runs in each frame and cutting into the lead. Ultimately, however, it was too little too late for any hopes of a comeback.

Miller ended the day tossing another complete game for Fairmont. Despite the shaky finish in the final moments of the game, the righty grinded through the adversity. She finished the game striking out seven or more batters for the third time this weekend.

“That’s Brylee,” Lowry said. “Brylee is a gamer. She’s going to work hard and wants to be in that position.”

Schultz was named MVP of the tournament following the game. The lefty recorded six hits on the weekend and hit a tournament leading three home runs.

Fairmont became the first host team to win a Minnesota American Legion Fastpitch Softball State Championship. While taking home the trophy is always great, getting a victory while playing in front of the city you represent is something that will always be remembered.

“It feels great.” Lowry said. “The girls worked hard the whole time. I actually was a coach the last time we won the state championship, and it feels even better now being home, being in Fairmont with our home crowd, and doing it for our legion that provides so much for our community.”