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Detroit Lakes suffers crushing loss to Willmar shutting door on 2024 campaign

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Detroit Lakes suffers crushing loss to Willmar shutting door on 2024 campaign


DETROIT LAKES

— The final chapter of the Detroit Lakes softball team’s 2024 season closed in their elimination bracket loss to No. 7 Willmar at Snappy Park.

The Thursday contest ended with the Cardinals (2-20) trouncing the Lakers 17-4 in five innings and living to see another day. Willmar put up 11 runs in the opening frame and Detroit Lakes was forced to play from behind right from the jump.

“A couple of errors in the first inning really killed us,” head coach Emma Mejia said. “We gave up too many runs. Pitching, we did as well as we could today but just gave up a few too many hits today.”

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Madi Norsten launched a grand slam in the top of the first after the first five Willmar batters reached base. The Lakers managed to get their first out seven batters but the Cardinals were ahead 7-0. After the second out of the opening frame, Hannah Magnuson hit a two-out, three-run bomb and Willmar led 9-0.

Detroit Lakes’ Sidney Borgmann with the pitch in the Lakers’ 17-4 loss to Willmar in the Section 8AAA elimination bracket at Snappy Park on Thursday, May 23.

Nick Leonardelli / Detroit Lakes Tribune

Detroit Lakes’ Sidney Borgmann was called off the mound after nine runs, two walks and seven hits in two-thirds innings pitched. Amelia May came in for relief and got the final out but the Lakers trailed 11-0 after a half-inning of play.

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The Cardinals tacked on one run in the second and five more runs in the top of the third. Willmar ended the afternoon with 17 hits and 16 RBIs.

“You got to give some credit to Willmar,” Borgmann said. “I mean, they really hit the crap out of the ball. I think we really needed to cut down on errors but we just couldn’t pull it out today for some reason.”

Detroit Lakes made a comeback attempt with two runs in the second and third innings but it was too little too late. The Lakers managed to secure five hits but had zero RBIs. Detroit Lakes sent three pitchers to the mound with hopes of slowing down the Cardinals.

Isabelle Hansen (2).JPG

Detroit Lakes’ Isabelle Hansen runs down the third base line in the Lakers’ 17-4 loss to Willmar in the Section 8AAA elimination bracket at Snappy Park on Thursday, May 23.

Nick Leonardelli / Detroit Lakes Tribune

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Shea Thomas pitched the final two and one third innings allowing one hit, one walk and punching out four.

The Lakers were bested 17-2 against No. 3 Hutchinson in the opening round of the Section 8AA tournament. The last couple of days for the Lakers have been tough but that doesn’t take away from the growth the team saw since the first pitch.

“To be honest, it was disappointing because neither one of them should have been as bad as they were,” senior Ella Okeson said about the last two games. “But from our first game against Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton to here, there was lots of improvements, so you can’t be mad about that.”

After the game following the Lakers’ final gathering, Mejia and the other coaches gathered to talk with their three seniors – Isabelle Hansen, Borgmann, and Okeson.

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Ella Okeson.JPG

Detroit Lakes’ Ella Okeson leaps for the catch in the Lakers’ 17-4 loss to Willmar in the Section 8AAA elimination bracket at Snappy Park on Thursday, May 23.

Nick Leonardelli / Detroit Lakes Tribune

“We’re going to miss them, of course, but we’re going to miss their positive leadership and the way they embodied our culture,” Mejia said. “Coming in as juniors with new coaches and having different coaches every year, they really truly embodied and bought into our family dynamic and the team that we’re trying to build. They embodied everything we needed, and we appreciate that on a daily.”

The Lakers added two more wins from last season and finished with a 5-16 overall record. Mejia concluded her second season as head coach and the ex-Laker softball player is excited about the direction the team is headed.

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Sydney Borgmann, Ella Okeson, Isabelle Hansen.jpg

The Detroit Lakes softball team seniors after their 17-4 loss to Willmar at Snappy Park on Thursday, May 23. Pictured (left to right): Sydney Borgmann, Ella Okeson, Isabelle Hansen

Nick Leonardelli / Detroit Lakes Tribune

“Our main goal coming in this year was bring fun back into it, get better every practice, every game,” Mejia said. “We’re going to continue to do that every time. So that’s all I can ask for.”

And Borgmann sees that the program is in good hands with Mejia.

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“I think it starts young, and I think we’ve definitely started to build up from there,” Borgmann said. “I think we have a lot of young talent, and I believe that they can go far, far places. They just need a little bit more time to develop.”

WILLMAR 17 DETROIT LAKES 4

WIL – 11 1 5 0 0 X X – 17

DTL – 0 2 2 0 0 X X – 4

DETROIT LAKES BATTING – Okeson: 1-3, R; Johnson: 1-2, R; Borgmann: 1-2; Chilton: 1-2, R, BB; Peterson: 0-1; Thomas: 0-1; Hansen: 1-2; May: 0-2; Larson: 0-2; Lyman 0-2

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WP: Etterman (WIL); LP: May (DTL)

Shelby Lyman.JPG

Detroit Lakes’ Shelby Lyman throws the ball toward the infield in the Lakers’ 17-4 loss to Willmar in the Section 8AAA elimination bracket at Snappy Park on Thursday, May 23.

Nick Leonardelli / Detroit Lakes Tribune

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Detroit Lakes softball final team chat.JPG

Detroit Lakes gathers for the final time after the Lakers’ 17-4 loss to Willmar in the Section 8AAA elimination bracket at Snappy Park on Thursday May 23.

Nick Leonardelli / Detroit Lakes Tribune

Shea Thomas.JPG

Detroit Lakes’ Shea Thomas with the pitch in the Lakers’ 17-4 loss to Willmar in the Section 8AAA elimination bracket at Snappy Park on Thursday, May 23.

Nick Leonardelli / Detroit Lakes Tribune

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Nick Leonardelli

My name is Nick Leonardelli amd I am the sports editor for the Detroit Lakes Tribune and Perham Focus. I moved to the area in October of 2022 after covering sports for the Monroe County Herald in Sparta, WI for nearly a year. I was also working for ESPN La Crosse as a show producer. I graduated from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse in 2021 with a degree in sports management and a minor in media studies.

I cover sports and write columns for the Detroit Lakes Tribune and Perham Focus. You can reach me via email at nleonardelli@perhamfocus.com or by phone at 218-844-1461.





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Detroit, MI

Blazers Fall to Detroit Pistons in Beautiful, Ugly Bout

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Blazers Fall to Detroit Pistons in Beautiful, Ugly Bout


Despite a spirited 21-point comeback, the Portland Trail Blazers fell to the Detroit Pistons 102-110 on Monday night.

The first half was sloppy, to put it kindly. The Blazers, faced with a packed paint and limited outside shooting available, were effectively stonewalled. Moreover, despite a +19 advantage from the line, the Blazers were only able to capitalize on 67.4% of their free throws (which is marginally better than their average over the last three games of 66.3%).

The Pistons’ defensive activity and unrelenting physicality made the Blazers uncomfortable. So uncomfortable, in fact, that they turned the ball over 19(!) times. The Pistons crowded the lane, demanding that the Blazers beat them from beyond the arc. The Blazers responded “no, we will not beat you from beyond the arc” and proceeded to shoot 7 of 32 from downtown.

The only thing that spared the Blazers from a devastating blowout was the Detroit Pistons’ similarly terrible shooting splits, as well as a large disparity in “got that dawg in him per 36,” courtesy of Sidy Cissoko.

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The second half saw Sidy Cissoko and Shaedon Sharpe lead a fourth-quarter charge, spawning a 24-point run. With eight minutes left in the game, Cissoko successfully baited Cade Cunningham into fouling out. At this point, the momentum had shifted towards the Blazers entirely. Continual downhill pressure and stalwart defense had the Moda Center believing in the improbable. It was a potentially-perfect ending to a night meant to honor the Blazer greats of the 1999-2000 roster.

Unfortunately, free throws, poor shooting and a little good-ol’-fashioned ref’ ball prevented the Blazers from securing their fourth win in a row. That said, the Blazers once again showed fight. They dragged the top seed in the Eastern Conference down into the mud and walloped them, but – again – weren’t able to clean things up during crunch time.

Shaedon Sharpe…? Shaedon Sharpe put in a polarizing performance. On one hand, Sharpe dropped 25 points and a career high five steals on 51.2% shooting. Yay! On the other hand, he had eight turnovers and shot 1 of 6 from three=point land. Boo! That said, Sharpe felt like the Blazers’ steadiest shot creator tonight, and, given his recent shooting splits, his poor performance from beyond the arc looks like an aberration.

Liability Throws. Until the Blazers shoot over 70% from the free throw line in a game, we cannot refer to them as “free.” Their lack of ability to convert free throws in the clutch was the nail in the coffin for the Blazers. For the game, Portland shot 67% from the line. A few nights ago, poor free throw shooting was the catalyst for an almost-super-embarrassing Sacramento Kings comeback. We all know what the Schonz would say.

Downhill Deni. The Blazers were able to hang in this contest through relentless downhill pressure. Oftentimes, this pressure was met with all five members of the Detroit Pistons sitting in the paint. Other times, though, it resulted in free throws or open looks from three. Unfortunately, as mentioned previously, the Blazers propensity to miss those very kinds of shots meant that they trailed for the vast majority of the game. There is still the possibility that, as players return from injury, they will improve in those departments.

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Point Guards, We Miss You. The Blazers have officially claimed the title of “Most Turnovers Per Game” in the NBA. It does not come with a trophy. It does, however, demand the return of any one of the Blazers’ injured point guards. The Blazers’ lack of reliable ball handlers has placed undue strain on both Deni Avdija and Shaedon Sharpe. The offensive burden shouldered by both players is unsustainable, made evident by a gradual increase in the Blazers’ turnovers per game.

Scoot Henderson’s hamstring; Jrue Holiday’s calf; Blake Wesley’s fifth metatarsal—If any of you are listening: please, figure it out.

Never Say Die! Moral victories generally start to feel a little less satisfying when they’re the majority of your victories. That said, the Blazers walked away with another moral victory tonight. Despite horrendous shooting, ball security, and rebounding, the Blazers went toe-to-toe with the top team in the Eastern Conference. Shaedon Sharpe, Sidy Cissoko and Donovan Clingan put in spirited, entertaining performances to ignite a scintillating 21-point comeback. In the end, the Blazers faltered, but fans can still walk away without hanging their heads.



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Detroit, MI

Detroit Lions WR Amon-Ra St. Brown dealing with knee injury

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Detroit Lions WR Amon-Ra St. Brown dealing with knee injury


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Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown is dealing with a knee injury, though Lions coach Dan Campbell indicated he does not believe it’s serious.

St. Brown was listed as a non-participant on the Lions’ estimated practice report Monday, Dec. 22.

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The Lions held a walk-through Monday in advance of this week’s game against the Minnesota Vikings on Thursday (4:30 p.m., Netflix). Campbell said St. Brown showed up to the practice facility after the team’s loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers and reported the injury.

“We’ll know more a little bit later but this is just something that just popped up when he came in today,” Campbell said. “So hopeful this is something [that’s] just some type of irritation from the game. That’s what I’m hoping.”

St. Brown leads the Lions with 98 catches, 1,194 yards and 11 touchdowns and needs two catches over the Lions’ final two games for his fourth straight 100-catch season.

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Taylor Decker (shoulder) and Avonte Maddox (back) also were listed as non-participants on Monday’s practice report, and the Lions listed nine others as limited participants including starters Marcus Davenport (shoulder), Graham Glasgow (knee), Christian Mahogany (fibula), Alim McNeill (abdomen) and Amik Robertson (hand).

The Lions (8-7) must win their final two games and have the Green Bay Packers (9-5-1) lose their final two games to make the playoffs.

Dave Birkett covers the Lions for the Detroit Free Press. Contact him at dbirkett@freepress.com. Follow him on BlueskyX and Instagram at @davebirkett.

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Everything Dan Campbell Said After Detroit Lions Loss to Steelers

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Everything Dan Campbell Said After Detroit Lions Loss to Steelers


Here is everything head coach Dan Campbell said postgame, following the Detroit Lions 29-24 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

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Opening Statement: “Credit to those guys, (Steelers Head Coach Mike) Coach Tomlin, you know, they won that game, so. You know, look, it’s frustrating. I was proud of the way the guys fought, we fought our way back in that. We had an opportunity to win the game, which is ultimately what you want. But we weren’t able to close it out. At the end of the day, that’s on us. We did that. We’re the ones who put ourselves in that position where we had to try to score on the last play. But some of the efforts were outstanding, and it was just too little too late. A lot of – we just didn’t make enough plays.”

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On the offensive pass interference penalty on the final play: “I mean, I don’t even want to get into it. Because it’s not going to change anything, we still lost. It’s – I mean look, you think you score, you don’t score, and then you think you’re going to have another play. Replay it or back it up, one more shot. And it doesn’t. And that’s just, I guess that’s the way it’s written in the rulebook. So that’s frustrating. But there again, it should never come to that. We had our opportunities. We weren’t able to put it in before that play.”

On why it was difficult to get the run game going: “Yeah, just couldn’t quite get it going, man. You know, made some hay in the pass game, (Lions QB Jared) Goff was in a good place, our receivers were making plays, that’s kind of where our explosives were showing up, and so, you know, went that route. And then we come out, and really in the third quarter we only had those three plays. And that was it for the third, and then we were down two scores. So, now you’re definitely throwing it. So, just didn’t make enough – certainly, I wish we could have run it more, I would love to run the ball a little bit more than that. A lot more than that. It just wasn’t one of those days.”

On the Steelers playing better today: “I can’t argue with that. Look, the ground game says it. I mean, they’re rushing. They rushed it, they had a lot more carries. And some of that was, you know, our defense was on the field for a while. And when you’re able to convert and stay on the field a while then you can kind of bounce from run to run to run, to play-pass, to – it just opens your offense up. And that’s what they’re able to do. And they can. You run a play, you get the look. You run the opposite of that and see how they respond, and then you get a look. And we just weren’t able to do it and they were. I can’t, they got after us. I mean, they rushed for over 200 yards. And only 15 for us.”

On if he agreed with the penalty on Lions WR Amon-Ra St. Brown on the final play: “I didn’t see it. I couldn’t even see. Man, I was looking at the protection, and (Lions QB Jared) Goff, and then I saw the catch.”

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On St. Brown deciding to pitch the ball to Lions QB Jared Goff on the final play: “Yeah, it was a headsy play, man. He wasn’t down, and just to stay alive for the last play, man. That’s what (Lions WR Amon-Ra) Saint (Brown) is, he’s a freaking smart, instinctive player. Gave us one more shot, we thought, but it didn’t work out.”

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On the explanation for the offensive pass interference call on Lions WR Isaac TeSlaa: “Just that. They said he, it was, you know, that it was OPI. He ran into the defensive back, or whoever it was. Which, I mean, there’s nothing you can do. They see what they see. And I didn’t see that one either, so I have no idea.”

On if he regrets not kicking a field goal early: “No.”

On how the substitutions on both sides of the ball have taken a toll on the team: “Well, I don’t – you know what, here’s the – you love having guys that are there every week, of course. Because you get used to it, and you build a rapport, and you’re all on the same page. But that’s – man, we’ve lived this for three years. We should be better than that, you know. We’ve got to get our guys ready. We can do better. Every team’s got injuries in this league. Most of them have some type of injuries. You’ve got an injury bug somewhere. And as coaches we’re charged with having those guys ready, make sure we’re on point. The substitutions, the whole thing, that’s what we’ve got to do. And I know this guy, (Steelers QB Aaron) Rodgers, is really good about messing with you on third downs and stuff. You know, they roll out, and see if you’re substituting, then he gets back on the ball. And we talked about it, we worked it this week, and they got us a couple times. But, you know, you’ve just got to have those guys ready, that are going to play for you, and then you try to help them with the call. As much as you can reduce the burden on them, and make calls that help them too, that’s what you’re trying to do.”

On where the team stands right now: “I mean, look. It’s frustrating. We just lost two in a row, you know. That’s the worst – I don’t know. I don’t know what all of this is or isn’t. I know we’ve got two left. And I just want to see us finish. I just want to finish, our style of football, with two to go, man. You know, and try to play four straight quarters of good football. Clean football. Efficient football. That’s what I want to do. And we’ve got a short week now. We’ve got Minnesota, we’re back in tomorrow. I’ve got to have a game plan ready for these guys and we’ve got to be ready to go out to Minneapolis and put it all together and execute.”

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On how the diminishing playoff hopes will affect his message to the team: “Yeah, I mean kind of what I just said is what I told them. We’ve got two to go. I just, I want to see us play with our identity. With what we are and what we’re about. We’re big boys in this league, man. You pull your pants up and you go to work. And you can’t feel sorry for yourself. It doesn’t mean it doesn’t sting, it doesn’t feel bad. But we have nobody to blame but ourselves. It’s on us, and it’s also on us to finish. We’ve got two to go.”

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On the lack of consistency in being able to string together four good quarters: “There’s a lot of errors, man, that have popped up. We’ve got some mental errors here or there, or a lack of self-discipline. And look, ultimately, I put that stuff on me, man. That’s on me. There’s no other way to cut it, other than it’s the head coach. So, you know. It’s on me, man.”

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