WWIB/WOGO Podcasts
WWIB/WOGO Podcasts
The Cardinals(16-11) exploded for 14 hits on their way to an 11-3 win over Wisconsin Rapids Lincoln(18-7). They came out red hot scoring four runs in the top of the first, three more in the fourth, and finished off their scoring with four more runs in the seventh.
Violet Mc Ilquham struck out nine and walked only two on her way to another complete game victory setting up Chi High's rematch at D.C. Everest for the Sectional Semi-final game.
On the road against the #1 seed, the Lady Macks (15-8, 8-4 Western Cloverbelt Conference) scored the game's opening run before the Tigers (18-8, 6-4 Marawood South Conference), plated three in the bottom of the first to regain the advantage.
After that, however, the home team would not score again, as McDonell pitched six straight shutout innings, clawing their way back to a tie game and eventually taking a lead that they would not relinquish on the way to a regional crown.
Senior Kendall Hepfler went 3-4 from her leadoff spot, scoring twice, while junior Keagan Winger, sophomore Claire Ruf, and sophomore Lizzy Leibrandt each collected two hits. Sophomore pitcher Kelsey Bremness pitched the complete game, striking out four, and didn't allow a run after the first inning.
The Cards(15-11) advanced to Thursday's Regional Final at Wisconsin Rapids thanks to the 12-strikeout pitching of Violet Mc Ilquham, a solid defense, and an offense that scored in all but one inning.
Lauren Shepherd's first inning double knocked in Georgia Romanowski with what proved to be the game-winning run. Ali Geist hit a solo homer over the leftfield fence in the 2nd and Roz Twyman doubled in her last two at bats showing the Cards are ready for the road test they face Thursday.
In their playoff debut, the Lady Macks (14-8, 8-4 Western Cloverbelt Conference) came out of the gate hot against Loyal/Greenwood (8-11, 6-5 Eastern Cloverbelt Conference), pushing across a total of 15 runs in the first two innings.
Though the visitors battled, McDonell proved too strong in the end, run-ruling their opponent in four innings and advancing to Thursday's Regional Final.
On her birthday, sophomore pitcher Kelsey Bremness did not allow a run and also crushed a big 2 RBI single, while senior Kiara Leinenkugel drove in two runs during a 3-3 day at the plate. Senior Kendall Hepfler reached base in all four of her plate appearances, notching two singles, drawing two walks, and scoring three times. Sophomore Claire Ruf hit a single, a double, and a triple and tallied 3 RBIs, while fellow sophomore Rylie Christianson also collected three hits.
Chippewa Valley This Week
A regular season full of exciting Chippewa Falls Lady Cardinals softball on WOGO Sports! Take a listen to some of our favorite moments!
A regular season full of exciting McDonell Lady Macks softball on WOGO Sports! Take a listen to some of our favorite moments!
Through five innings of game one the Cards'(16-7, 7-5) were up 1-0, as their sophomore pitcher, Sam Bresina, dueled with New Richmond(17-5, 9-4) senior, Aiden Eckert, but when Bresina left the Tigers exploded for six runs in the 6th and two more in the 7th on their way to an 8-1 win.
The Cards bounced back in game two getting their lead-off hitter on base in all of the game's six innings and scoring three in the 4th and 5th, and seven in the 6th, on their way to a 14-1 win. Lucas Logslett's four hits and a walk led the offensive outburst and Brady Smith pitched another great game holding NR to just one run.
Playing a doubleheader to finish out their conference schedule, the Macks (12-7, 4-6 Western Cloverbelt Conference) found themselves in a pitchers' duel in Game 1 against the Hornets (9-8, 5-5 WCC), who started the day just above McDonell in the Western Cloverbelt standings.
In a low-scoring affair against a future Division 1 pitcher, the Macks battled their way to a victory, but were unable to sweep the day when they were held to just a single run in Game 2.
Junior pitcher Cael Holm had another strong showing in the first game, fanning eight, allowing just two hits, and going six and a third innings without giving up a run.
Chippewa Valley This Week
Lauren Shepherd accounted for the Cardinals(12-10, 10-2) first four runs vs. Kimberly(12-7, 10-4) on a 3-run homer and a sac fly. However, with the Papermakers carrying a 5-4 lead into the bottom of the 7th Ali Geist delivered a huge, two out, two run single propelling the Cards to an unlikely 6-5 comeback win.
In game two vs. Watertown(16-4, 11-1) the Cards again jumped out to a lead, 2-0, but the Goslings scored the game's final five runs on their way to a 5-2 win.
The Macks (11-6, 3-5) saw their seven-game winning streak come to an end as Shell Lake (8-5, 5-3) erupted for four two-out runs in the top of the 7th to win, 7-3.
After jumping out to a 2-0 lead in the 2nd on a Mason Busse RBI double and a sac fly RBI from Cooper Mittermeyer, the Lakers answered back with two runs in the 3rd, before briefly taking the lead in the top of the 6th before the Macks tied it in the bottom of the 6th when Alan Meinen singled in Ryan Smiskey who'd doubled.
On the road for their conference finale, the Lady Macks (13-7, 8-4 Western Cloverbelt Conference) took on the Hornets (12-8, 6-5 WCC) on their opponent's Senior Night, hoping to sweep the season series.
The game went back and forth early, but McDonell slowly pulled away, riding a strong pitching performance and patience at the plate, racking up 14 hits on the night.
Sophomore pitcher Kelsey Bremness only gave up 2 runs and tallied 8 strikeouts in six innings while sophomore Rylie Christianson was 3 for 4 at the plate, including a pair of triples. Aleah Bowe, Kiara Leinenkugel, Claire Ruf, and Kelsey Bremness each notched a pair of hits, with Bremness, Bowe, and Ruf driving in one run each.
On the road for two against a conference opponent, the Lady Macks (12-7, 7-4 Western Cloverbelt Conference) faced off against the Cardinals (12-8, 6-5 WCC), hoping to make a push up the conference standings.
The Lady Macks jumped out to an early lead in the first contest and held on for the win, while in Game 2 it took a little longer for the bats to heat up, before a five-run sixth helped seal the victory and the sweep.
Sophomore pitcher Kelsey Bremness tallied 7 strikeouts in Game 1, while sophomore Rylie Christianson punched out 9 batters in Game 2. Christianson notched six hits on the day to lead the Lady Macks, and Christianson, sophomore Lizzy Leibrandt, and senior Avery Bowe each drove in three runs.
