Area Notebook: Haines sets hits record

St. Cloud State University four-year starter and Pepin grad Rachel Haines finished her collegiate softball career in high fashion, becoming the school's all-time hits leader in her final game for the Huskies.

Haines, the lone senior on the roster, finished her remarkable career against Minnesota State University, Mankato on April 28. In the doubleheader, Haines went 0-for-4 in the first contest, but rebounded to go 3-for-4 in her final game. Her career total of 239 hits was two more than the previous record-holder. She went into the double-header one hit behind Lisa Rosauer, who played from 1997-2000.

Hits aren't the only thing Haines holds the records for. The 4.0 student also holds the all-time record in games played (224), most at bats (765), most runs (139) and stolen bases (74). She also started in all 224 games she played in.

St. Cloud State capped its season off with a 21-38 overall record, and an 8-18 record in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference play.

• The Gustavus Adolphus softball team recently received an at-large bid to the NCAA Divison III Tournament. After winning the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference regular season title and finishing second in the MIAC tournament, the No. 7 seeded Gusties take on No. 2 seed Central today.

In their recent conference tournament, three Gustavus players were chosen for the MIAC All-tournament team. These players include Red Wing native Emily Klein, Rachael Click, and Erin Truebenbach.

Klein finished 3-for-13 at the plate, scored a run, and stole two bases in the tournament. She also picked up the biggest hit of the tournament, driving in teammate Mackenzie Weber in the bottom of the eighth inning to beat Hamline 5-4.

The Gusties fell short in the championship game against St. Thomas, losing 5-4. St. Thomas received a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament.

• Red Wing native player Zach Laffey finished his career on a high note at North Park University. The senior, who previously attended Rochester Community and Technical College, hit .333 on the season, while also hitting five home runs and driving in 35 runs.

North Park finished the year with a mark of 18-20, the most wins it's had in a season since 1999.

Laffey's 35 RBIs led the Vikings and he was third on the team in home runs.

Tags: sports notebook, rachel haines, sports