Athens wins the North title again

By Casey Krautkramer

The Athens varsity softball team has won back-to-back Marawood North Conference championships. Athens won the conference title last season under head coach Craig Diedrich. New head coach Matt Ellenbecker guided the Bluejays to the conference championship this season.

Although there are only five teams in the Marawood North, because Abby/Colby’s softball squad competes in the Cloverbelt East Conference, Athens still took care of business by easily beating Phillips, Rib Lake and Chequamegon. Athens will likely also dominate Prentice in its home doubleheader this Thursday, May 9.

Wildcats keep improving

Edgar’s varsity softball team continues to gain momentum during the second half of this season. Senior Morgan Streveler pitched two straight shutouts against Stratford with a 1-0 home win on April 30 and a 5-0 road victory on Friday. Streveler only surrendered one hit in the team’s first win against the Tigers and she only allowed five hits in Friday’s win.

Wildcats head coach Kevin Brown is impressed with how well Streveler has settled in as the team’s ace pitcher in place of senior Makayla Wirkus who is out for the season with a shoulder injury.

“Morgan just keeps working and getting better each game out as the season progresses,” Brown said after Edgar’s first of two wins against Stratford. “It was an adjustment for her to have to go from being starting catcher for three years to being our number 1 pitcher this season, but she has improved in each of her outings. She’s not trying to do too much anymore and is hitting her spots well. Our defense also has started to play well behind her and Morgan has settled into her new role extremely well.”

Edgar has won five of its last six games. “It’s been the goal from the start of this season to be playing our best softball at playoff time and we’re getting there each game,” Brown said.

WINNING FORMULA- Athens junior Danica Diethelm slides safely into second during her team’s 14-4 win in five innings against Phillips at home this season.

STAFF PHOTO/CASEY KRAUTKRAMER