Bluejays enduring through tough schedule
By Casey Krautkramer
A high school softball fan looking at the Athens varsity team’s recent losing streak on paper would think the Bluejays have lost their groove at the wrong time of the season with the playoffs beginning soon. A closer look would reveal that four of Athens’ recent losses came against tough competition including Auburndale, Stevens Point Pacelli, Tomahawk and Stratford.
Athens was edged, 11-9, against Marawood South Conference champion Auburndale on Friday at home. Auburndale is ranked ninth in Division 4. Athens then dominated Cornell/Lake Holcombe, 14-1, in the first game of Saturday’s Gilman/ Thorp Slamfest. Athens lost, 10-0, to Stevens Point Pacelli in its final game during Saturday’s Gilman/Thorp Slamfest. Pacelli is ranked second in Division 5 this spring after winning the WIAA Division 5 state championship last season.
The Bluejays lost, 8-6, to Division 3 Tomahawk Monday on the road. Athens fell, 1-0, to Stratford on Tuesday at home. Stratford played in the WIAA Division 4 state tournament last season.
Bluejays head softball coach Matt Ellenbecker is not worried about his team losing four out of its last five games.
“Our schedule really got scrambled due to weather and other teams having to adjust their conference schedules to get necessary games in, but it has come together at the end here to serve our needs,” he said. “Getting to play teams like Auburndale, Pacelli and Stratford which have re-TOUGH cently played in Madison or that are state See SOFTBALL ROUNDUP page16
LOSS TO DEFENDING STATE CHAMPION PACELLI - Athens senior shortstop Jazelle Hartwig flips the ball to senior second baseman Sophia Coker, but it wasn’t in time to get the Stevens Point Pacelli runner out during Saturday’s 10-0 loss in the Gilman/Thorp Slamfest. SN PHOTO/MATT FREY Softball roundup
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caliber teams, is exactly what we need to get ready for postseason play.”
“Winning is always the goal but we’re less concerned about the final score at this point with conference play wrapped up and our seeding meeting over. We want to see great pitching and tough lineups to help us sharpen up, and that’s what we’ve gotten to see. These games are helping us to understand what we can and can’t do against good teams, and what things we need to fix on our end.”
“If having a great record was our primary concern then at this point we’d have tried to avoid playing those tough teams, but we sought them out. We’re getting ready for the tournament and these past five days have been great for us.”
Athens already wrapped up winning back-to-back Marawood North Conference championships a few weeks ago. The Bluejays currently have a 14-6 overall record this season.
Tigers win eighth straight
Stratford’s varsity softball squad edged Athens, 1-0, on the road Tuesday to win its eighth consecutive game this season. Laney Pankratz outdueled Danica Diethelm in a great matchup of ace pitchers. Pankratz struck out nine batters while only surrendering six hits and no walks. Diethelm struck out seven batters while only giving up five hits, two walks and one earned run.
Stratford senior second baseman Kressa Wenzel’s RBI scored Tria Tubbs for the game’s only run. Gracie Schmidt and Kalyn Schueller both hit two for three for the Tigers. Addison Lavicka batted two for three for Athens.
Stratford currently has a 17-6 overall record this season after its latest stretch of games. Stratford beat Wisconsin Rapids Assumption, 4-0, on Thursday at home to sweep the regular season series. Stratford also downed Assumption, 5-0, on May 7.
The Tigers defeated Rib Lake, 10-4, on the road Friday. Stratford beat Blair-Taylor, 10-6, in its first game during Saturday’s Gilman/Thorp Slamfest. Stratford beat Blair-Taylor in the sectional championship last season to advance to its first state tournament in school history. Stratford downed Medford, 4-1, in its second game during Saturday’s Gilman/Thorp Slamfest.
Stratford beat Wausau East, 11-6, on Monday at home before Tuesday’s road victory against Athens.
Streveler tosses no hiter
Edgar senior pitcher Morgan Streveler threw a no hitter during Tuesday’s 17-0 home win in five innings against Neillsville/ Granton. She struck out nine batters while only surrendering three walks.
The Wildcats scored 10 runs in the first inning. Freshman shortstop Isabella Kaiser led Edgar by hitting three for four with four RBIs and three runs scored. Riley Mueller and Maycie Yonker added two RBIs each. Taylor Lemmer, Emery Borchardt, Alexis Schara, Jorja Knetter and Streveler tallied one RBI each in the victory.
Edgar lost a road doubleheader on Thursday against Auburndale by scores of 8-0 and 6-1. Edgar rebounded to down Chequamegon, 17-5, Friday on the road. Edgar lost both of its games in Saturday’s Gilman/Thorp Slamfest, 6-4 against Tomahawk and 9-2 against Chippewa Falls McDonell.
Red Raiders down Panthers
Marathon’s varsity softball team beat Pittsville, 10-2, on Monday at home. Game statistics were not available.
The Red Raiders lost to Newman Catholic, 8-6, on Thursday at home. Marathon beat Phillips, 15-8, on the road Friday. Marathon defeated Waupaca, 5-0, at Saturday’s Iola-Scandinavia triangular. The Red Raiders then lost to the Iola-Scandinavia Thunderbirds, 13-9, on Saturday during the triangular.
STREVELER NO HITS NEILLVILLE/GRANTON- Edgar senior pitcher Morgan Streveler is shown throwing the softball during the team’s 6-4 loss to Tomahawk during the Gilman/Thorp Slamfest. Streveler threw a no hitter in Tueday’s dominating 17-0 home win against Neillsville/Granton.
SN PHOTO/MATT FREY
