Grand Forks Red River Softball Celebrates First EDC Title; Now Focuses on the State Tournament

AFTER CLAIMING THE EASTERN DAKOTA CONFERENCE CROWN, THE ROUGHRIDERS HAVE THEIR SIGHTS SET ON A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP.

GRAND FORKS, N.D. (KVRR) – It is a year of first’s for the Grand Forks Red River softball program. For the first time in program history, they won the Eastern Dakota Conference and now prepare for the opportunity to capture their first state title.

The Roughriders defeated Fargo North 13-0 in the EDC Championship game. It was a moment the whole team will never forget.

“It means everything,” said head coach Hannah-Rose Rodriquez. “These kids have worked so incredibly hard, day in, day out, on the field and off the field. The chemistry is one that can’t be duplicated ever again. These kids are playing for each other. Whether they’re on the bench or in the field, they’ve earned it 110% and they’re ready to go to the next thing.”

This championship means a lot to the Roughriders. They saw their offense and defense fire on all cylinders and dominate through the conference tournament.

No one had a bigger performance than sophomore pitcher Jocelyn Berg in the Championship game.

In the batters box, she had a grand slam that broke the game open with Red River leading 8-0 early on. In the circle, she finished the game with nine strikeouts.

“Josie is a leader on and off this field,” said coach Rodriquez. “She’s a leader on our campus. She’s well rounded. She’s a good person, but she’s a hard worker, and the kids feed off of that. They get excited for her. We just get to see her every day. We get to be a part of her experience, and what she does on this field, what she did on this field today. You know, we’re not surprised by it. We know that she can bring it, but she continues to step up in these incredible moments.”

In a sport dominated by dominated by the West Fargo Packers in Class A, and most recently the Fargo North Spartans in the EDC, Red River has etched their name into the history books.

Now, the Roughriders head to State with their mind set on winning it all.

“This is one of the best teams I’ve ever been a part of,” said Joceyln Berg. “Knowing that we’re getting to extend our season a little bit, and I get to play with them a couple more times, it’s amazing.”

Senior Brooklyn Soderberg added, “Good Energy to bring. I mean, winning this I hope that we carry on to state and I feel like that puts us in our great position.”

The Roughriders start their tournament run taking on the 4th seed out West, Bismarck.

The other East Region teams in the field are: Fargo North (East 2-seed), West Fargo Sheyenne (East 3-seed) and Fargo Davies (East 4-seed).

The tournament begins Thursday, May 29, and finishes Saturday, May 31. All games will be played at Albrecht Field in Grand Forks, North Dakota.

KVRR will show highlights and updates from the tournament during our broadcasts and social media pages.

CLASS A Softball bracket Click HERE