‘Banner’ year lifts Eagles to state

These kids figured it out and put it together and so we’re very, very happy.”

Dan Rubischko, Eden Prairie softball head coach

Eden Prairie softball head coach Dan Rubischko sat at a picnic table following Monday’s practice at Miller Park in Eden Prairie. 

After dispatching crosstown rival Minnetonka in the Section 2AAAA finals last week and winning their seventh straight game, his Eagles team is on its way to Mankato for its first state tournament appearance since 2019.

Without surprise, the Eagles’ upcoming matchup with No. 4 Forest Lake in Wednesday’s quarterfinal round is foremost on his mind. But Rubischko was also contemplating some housekeeping that will be required at their home field next season.

“I got brand new banners this year to put up on our dugout,” he explained, noting the signage honors all of the softball program’s state tourney appearances through the years.

“The first thing the kids said after the section championship was, ‘Coach, you’ve got to get new banners,’” he laughed. “So now I’ve got to spend money next year and buy new banners.”

It’s a good problem to have. Particularly when expectations on the season may not have been as high as to include a trip to state.

“We’re probably a year earlier than I thought,” Rubischko said, seeing next year as Eden Prairie’s big opportunity to shine. And with only three seniors departing from this season’s roster, it makes perfect sense.

But his 2024 Eagles had other plans.

“These kids figured it out and put it together and so we’re very, very happy,” Rubischko said. “I’m very happy for the seniors. They’ve really stepped up; we’ve got great senior leadership.”

The Eagles’ extended season has been forged by adversity in recent weeks. Sophomore standout Genevieve Streed tore her ACL in the final regular season game against North St. Paul. 

“She was our leadoff hitter, batting over .450 for the season and leading the team in hits,” Rubischko said.

Streed was named Honorable Mention All-State, as well as All Lake Conference, for her play at second base and performance at the plate. And despite having to sit out when her team takes softball’s grandest stage in Mankato, Streed couldn’t be more excited for her teammates.

“I think one of our biggest things that we should add along with our hard work is that just our team chemistry is amazing,” she said. “We’ve all been playing together for a long time.”

Streed wasn’t the only player whose season ended late into the year. Senior captain Rose Neuman broke her finger in two places in the section tournament before undergoing surgery on Friday.

Neuman, who led the team in home runs and RBIs this spring, and was selected to the All-Star Series and All Lake Conference, played two games in the sections playoffs before taking herself out of the lineup.

“I’ve tried to be a cheerleader on the team,” she said of her new role, remaining upbeat. “I keep the energy up in the dugout, my team picks me up. I try to pick them up and just be there for them.”

Their head coach has seen a lot in his 22 seasons at Eden Prairie, but the Eagles’ determination in the face of adversity is right at the top of his list.

“Wow. I mean, I even had doubts. I questioned whether or not we’re going to have the ability to do well in the sections” he said. “I’m very proud of my team.”

Rubischko points to two junior varsity players who stepped up to contribute. Eighth grader Josie Blakely in center field and ninth grader Macie Lahti at second base weren’t expecting to see varsity action until next season, but were called up when the season was on the line.

“That’s been amazing, and they fit right in,” Streed said. “We’re all happy for them, and we’re like, ‘That’s gonna help us get this win.’”

The Eagles will also rely on their two remaining seniors in the lineup.

Shortstop Alex Hall is making the most of her final season, coming off a strong performance in the sectionals, leading the Eagles with seven RBIs in the playoffs.

Hall understands how critical it is to raise the level of intensity in the postseason and recognizes it as an advantage the Eagles have had over their opponents.

“We’re always super loud in the dugout, and you can tell just standing in the dugout, that we want to be there,” she says. “And you can tell from the other teams that they don’t necessarily want to be there all the time.

“But we love our teammates and it shows.”

Ayana Lombardy agrees. The senior outfielder’s lofty .354 batting average has been another big reason the Eagles are state-bound. 

In her final season, she points to the closeness of the team that has lifted them through setbacks they experienced at the most crucial time.

“Like Genevieve said, our bond with each other, it’s really pushed us to play for each other with the injuries and all that,” she said. “And the eighth graders have come in, we’ve just worked together and adapted.”

Adding to their challenges, it’s finals week at Eden Prairie High School. And with the state competition looming, players were required to take their exams two days early.

“Academically, we’re a gold standard team, our GPA is an A level,” Rubischko said. “I think we’ll still be fine. But you can tell that they’re tired. We’ve gotta get through today and tomorrow and then I think when we get down to Mankato we’ll settle in.”

The Eagles (16-6) clash with Forest Lake (18-4) is set for Wednesday at Caswell Park in Mankato. First pitch is at 10 a.m. 

“Forest Lake has been ranked all year. They’ve got a Division II pitcher,” Rubischko said. “But the kids rose up to a lot of challenges. And so this is just another one of those challenges that we have in front of us.”

And the next challenge will be replacing those banners in the dugout.