Marathon softball loses in sectionals

Team does win regional

By Casey Krautkramer

Marathon’s varsity softball squad fell, 5-2, to Westfield in Tuesday’s WIAA Division 4 sectional road contest.

It was a great postseason run for the Red Raiders who defeated the Auburndale Eagles, 7-5, in Friday’s road Division 4 regional championship. Marathon won back-to-back Division 4 regional titles.

No. 7 seed Marathon’s Cinderella playoff run, however, came to a halt at No. 1 seed Westfield on Tuesday. The Red Raiders conclude their season with a 7-18 record and the Pioneers improve to 17-8.

Lauren Karlen smacked a homer in Marathon’s sectional semifinal loss on Tuesday. Bridget Salber, Ella Mader and Sophia Tylinski had one hit each against Westfield.

In Friday’s regional title victory, Kali Prihoda had the game-winning RBI in the seventh inning against Auburndale. Allison Wokatsch batted two for two with a double and a pair of RBIs. Tylinski hit two for three with a double and an RBI. Ella Altfisch was two for four while Karlen and Mader each hit one for four against the Eagles.

Athens’ rally falls short

The Athens varsity softball team lost a nail biter, 4-3, against Thorp in Thursday’s home WIAA Division 5 regional championship. The Bluejays fell behind to the Cardinals early but then rallied to almost gain the win.

Senior Siarra Hart suffered the complete-game pitching defeat against Thorp. She gave up eight hits, one walk and four earned runs while striking out seven batters.

Bluejays sophomore Sydney Coker batted three for three with one RBI and sophomore Jazelle Hartwig was two for three with a pair of runs scored. Junior Celina Ellenbecker hit one for three with a run scored and Hart had the team’s other hit. Athens concludes this season with a 14-6 record.