Fifth-seeded Malcolm hosted and defeated the No. 12 Arlington softball team Friday in back-to-back Class C5 District Finals games.
The Clippers (23-9 overall) beat the Eagles 11-1 and 17-9 to advance to the NSAA State Championships, while coach Janelle Lorsch's team ends the fall season 16-15.
The opener lasted just four innings as Malcolm won by run-rule on a game-ending grand slam. Kiersten Taylor pushed across AHS' lone run during the top of the third frame.
The Eagles, however, started fast in the second game, scoring two first-inning runs on swings by Gracie Herman and Paige Kraemer. Hailey Brenn and Emery McIntosh added RBIs in the fourth inning, but Arlington still trailed 14-4 going into the bottom of the fifth.
That's when Brenn hit a two-out grand slam and Britt Nielsen followed it with a solo homer, pulling the Eagles within 14-9. The Clippers scored the next three runs of the game, though, finishing off AHS' season. Lorsch's team is the 2021 C5 District runner-up.
For the full story on this game and additional photos, check out next Tuesday's Washington County Pilot-Tribune and the Oct. 15 Arlington Citizen.
