Barduson, Lommel sign letters of intent

Posted on: Nov 13, 2019

A pair of Delano High School pitchers signed National Letters of Intent to compete at the next level on Wednesday, Nov. 13.

Senior Cade Lommel will play Division I baseball at Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska, and Lexi Barduson signed to play Division II softball at Minot State University in North Dakota.

“I think it’s usually about 3 percent of high school kids that get to go on and play at the collegiate level, so it’s a pretty amazing opportunity that they’ve gotten to that spot,” said Delano Activities Administrator Ryan Tool at the opening of the signing ceremony.

Lexi Barduson
In a brief speech before signing her papers, Barduson thanked her parents, coaches and teammates for their support and encouragement over the years. 

“We’ve made some great memories and I can’t wait to see what we accomplish this spring,” she said.

Barduson also said some of her high school highlights, to this point, included a shutout of Waconia and a section victory over Orono. While her senior season remains to craft additional memories, Barduson said she is also looking further ahead.

“I can’t wait for this new adventure,” she said.

Delano softball coach AnnaMarie Martino called Barduson “a bulldog of a pitcher” and “a true team player.”

“Lexi is one of the hardest working softball players I’ve ever coached,” said Martino. “She is a kid who truly puts in the time outside of the school ball season to make sure she is able to perform at her best for her team. While Lexi isn’t always the most vocal player on the team, she definitely shows her leadership through her actions both on and off the field.”

Barduson plans to study criminal justice at Minot. She is the daughter of Steven and Cynthia Barduson.

Cade Lommel
DHS baseball coach Jeff Olson said Lommel made an immediate impression with the high school coaching staff as a freshman. 

“It really jumped out to us as coaches who hadn’t seen him throw. The talent was there, obviously, and getting to know him as a kid, as a player, was equally awesome,” said Olson, adding that Lommel became a member of the varsity pitching staff that first year and even took the ball in the section playoffs against an eventual state champion Waconia squad.

“Cade got the nod against them in the section playoffs, the third round, so for a freshman to get that kind of matchup against a team of that caliber, it would be a lot for anybody to take on,” said Olson. “But Cade threw the heck out of the ball and gave us an outstanding chance to win. We fell just short, 3-2 I think the score was, but it said a lot about him. It was an early indication of the special kid and special player that he was.”

In his address, Lommel thanked his teammates, coaches, and especially his parents for guiding him.

“Mom, you always made sure I was getting good grades and challenging myself, whether it was school or sports,” he said. “Dad, I always remember that whether it was a baseball or hockey game, you were never disappointed with how I performed, but only if my attitude was poor. That taught me a lot about how to have fun playing sports, and that no matter how good or bad I was that you guys would always support me.”

Olson said he was looking forward to having Lommel on his staff one more season, and said Creighton was getting a high quality person.

“Talent is obviously a huge part of it, but with Cade, what I think of is his character, the hard work, the effort he brings to everything and attitude that he brings every day,” said Olson. “Those are the things that stand out to me and his teammates and everybody that knows him.”

Lommel plans to study either finance or medicine. He is the son of Cory and Molly Lommel.
 

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