East Metro Softball Player of the Year: Forest Lake’s Avery Muellner

Avery Muellner struck out seven batters in a complete-game conquest as Forest Lake topped White Bear Lake - in the Class A third-place contest Thursday in North Mankato capping a season the junior ace dubbed a dream The St Thomas commit and East Metro Softball Competitor of the Year went - in the circle with a sub- earned-run average for a Rangers band that sat atop the state rankings throughout the spring It was a stellar campaign for anyone let alone a hurler whose pitching future was at one point in question Muellner has been a star in the circle for Forest Lake dating back to her seventh grade season But her sophomore pitching season was largely taken away by a small tear in her unlnar collateral ligament The initial prognosis was that surgery was required Then another passage was presented one flush with physical therapy That was the path for which Muellner opted Countless appointments and therapy sessions followed Muellner conceded with a laugh that the experience wasn t unfailingly fun but she maintained a trust in the process and herself I was surrounded by really good people that desired the best for me the junior reported I think what kept me going is that I needed to fight for myself so I was able to pitch again After helping the Rangers have another stellar season last spring in no small part because of her efforts in the field and at the plate Muellner was back dabbling on the rubber by the end of the campaign She pitched in the club season and this year with former primary pitching mate Hannah Tong off to college was the arm upon which Forest Lake relied this spring The results were sensational This season was one of a kind We were - going into the state tournament That s something that s pretty hard to do I just lean on all my teammates We re all close so it s a good time Muellner explained Although it didn t work out our way Forest Lake fell - to Bloomington Jefferson in the semifinals I m still so proud of everyone She s excited for what s to come noting the Rangers have a young core of talent Muellner has one more year of high school softball before playing collegiately in St Paul alongside her dear friend Forest Lake teammate Bella Dowdall Only now does Muellner feel like she s truly starting to hit her groove a scary thought for opposing batters Because all the dominant physical tools are meshing with a mind freed by sheer opportunity I feel more grateful every time I m out there because you never know when things can happen Muellner reported It made me stronger If someone gets a hit it s just whatever They re going to get hits It s just how you fight back and respond Related Articles State softball Champlin Park s Ava Parent walks-off White Bear Lake State softball roundup Jefferson upsets Forest Lake in A semifinals Day of state softball tournament wiped out by rain A look at each east metro club in the state softball tournament Metro softball players sue Ellison MSHSL director over transgender athlete participation