May 2023
Section Playoffs Launch With 7-2 Home Triumph Over Eagles
The Section 3AA Softball Tournament began May 23rd for St. James Area, posting a 7-2 home win at Dennis Johnson Field over Maple River.
Senior Recognition
St. James Rotary Awards recipients. Back Row (LtR): Mason Lundberg, Mayson Haler, Cooper Olson, Jack Westman, Alex Stresemann, and Taylor Sodeman. Front Row (LtoR): Evelyn Lopez Baltazar, Ariana Aguilar Molina, Alison Vite, Phoebe Wiken-Drescher, Vanessa Chavez. Sarah Shelander
Saints Dominate Worthington to Close Successful Regular Season
St. James Area wrapped up a 14-5 regular season at home with a 10-0 Big South Conference win over Worthington on May 18th. STJ played errorless ball, Addie Bowers struck out 15 and allowed one hit, and Taylor Sodeman’s home run blast ended the contest on a high note.
Baseball Regular Season Wraps Up With a Step Back
The St. James Area Saints completed a suspended game and tagged on a shortened non-conference contest with Pipestone on May 22nd. The Arrows took a 12-11 slugfest in extra innings to begin but Gage Jones delivered a 2-hit shutout as the Saints took the nightcap 4-0.
Late Hitting Carries Saints Over LCWM
A road trip on May 19th saw St. James Area holding a 3-2 lead headed into the final inning but a flurry of hits led to a half dozen scores and the victory. Alex Stresemann pitched an efficient outing, covering the opening five innings for the win before Jesus Moriel came on in relief.
Weekly Schedule
Thursday, May 25th Tennis Section Individuals - Gustavus Adolphus • 10:00 Track Subsection Meet at Mapleton • 2:30 Softball Section Playoffs - TBD • 5:00 Saturday, May 27th Baseball Section Playoffs • 11:00 Softball Section Playoffs at Caswell Park • 2:00 & 4:00 Tuesday, May 30th Baseball Section Playoffs at TBD • 5:00 Softball Section Playoffs at Caswell • 5:00 Thursday, June 1st Baseball Section Playoffs at TBD • 5:00
Haler No-Hitter Highlights Long Day at Loyola Tournament
Strong beginnings were the theme for St. James Area at the Mankato Loyola Tournament held at ISG Field on May 20th. Wyatt Haler followed up his first career varsity win with a no-hitter the next time out, blanking St. Clair 10-0 to open the tourney before SJA dropped the title game 14-8 to the host team.
BUS DRIVERS AND THE DRIVING PUBLIC
As we come to the end of the 2022/23 school year, I want to give thanks and credit to our MEN AND WOMEN who drive school buses and vans for our bus company and to all bus drivers. With the shortage of drivers nationwide, our drivers have been very faithful and dependable to service St. James District 840. I am adding a poem penned 40 years ago by a bus driver named Stanley J. Mouser, a driver for Grisim Bus Service.
Fredin Joins Exclusive Golf Club
An ordinary round of golf took on a rare notoriety for St. James native Lucas Fredin on May 21st- at the Mt. Lake Golf Course. Using a 3 wood on Hole #3, Fredin scored a double According to the PGA, the odds of making a double eagle, sometimes called an albatross, are between one and six in a million. It is more likely than being killed by a shark or from a dog bite but less likely than being struck by lightning or for a woman to naturally have quadruplets.
Ask a Trooper
Question: I was wondering, with the ads on television showing people driving with their hands off the steering wheel, is that legal in Minnesota if your vehicle has that capability? Answer: I believe you are asking about autonomous vehicles, or self-driving cars, which are capable of sensing their environment and operating without human involvement. Minnesota law states that every driver is responsible for becoming and remaining aware of the actual and potential hazards that exist on the highway and must use due care in operating a vehicle.