WWIB/WOGO Podcasts
WWIB/WOGO Podcasts
Chippewa Valley This Week
Chippewa Valley This Week
Chippewa Valley This Week
Playing in the State Tournament at beautiful Goodman Diamond on the campus of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, the Lady Macks (17-9, 8-4 Western Cloverbelt Conference) went toe to toe with one of the premier teams in the state in the Cardinals (28-1, 12-0 Central Wisconsin South Conference).
Both pitchers were outstanding, dueling through four scoreless innings before Pacelli finally broke through with three runs in the fifth, which would prove to be the only scoring of the game.
Matched up against one of the best hurlers in the state, McDonell sophomore Kelsey Bremness held her own, scattering six hits while striking out two. The defense behind her was rock solid as well, with junior Keagan Winger at third, sophomore Claire Ruf at short, senior Kendall Hepfler in left, and sophomore Rylie Christianson in center all making at least one critical play to hold down a dangerous Pacelli lineup.
Chippewa Falls(18-10-1) grabbed the early lead on Cole Perlberg's three-run homer, his fourth of the year, in the top of the first, but Hudson(21-6) bounced back in the bottom of the first with three runs of their own, capitalizing on three Sam Bresina walks to tie the game.
The Cards called on Brady Smith to pitch in the bottom of the 2nd. After retiring the first two hitters the Raiders' Logan Hagman homered after a Sam Abrahamson single providing Hudson with all the offense they'd need for the win, though they scored three more runs that inning going up 8-3. Later the Raiders added a run in the 5th and closed out the game with four runs in the 6th.
Chippewa Valley This Week
A two-run homer from senior SS, Cole Perlberg, with two out in the bottom of the first was all Brady Smith and the Cards(18-9-1) needed to defeat Menomonie, 9-1, in Thursday's Regional Final at Gannon Field. The Cards added two more runs in the third on a Gavin Thompson single and five more in the fourth, all coming with two outs.
Smith, the junior, retired the first seven Mustangs in order and struck out seven while giving up zero walks in gaining the complete game win.
In one final game at Casper Park, the Lady Macks (17-8, 8-4 Western Cloverbelt Conference) struck first against the Lakers (15-9, 8-2 Lakeland - West Conference), and slowly added to their advantage throughout the contest.
With timely hitting and unflappable calm in the circle, McDonell earned a shutout victory in the Sectional Final, punching their ticket to the WIAA Division 4 State Tournament in Madison.
Sophomore pitcher Kelsey Bremness went the distance once again, striking out 10 - including the game-ending K - and drove in three runs for good measure. Fellow sophomores Claire Ruf and Lizzy Leibrandt each went 4 for 4 at the plate, and both also had two RBIs. Sophomore Rylie Christianson was 2 for 3 on the night, plus an intentional walk, and sophomore Aleah Bowe again did damage from the eight spot in the order, tallying two hits and a run scored.
Chi High's(17-9-1) relentless offensive attack propelled them to an 11-1, five inning win over Marshfield(10-17) and into Thursday Regional Final vs. Menomonie. The Cardinals scored two runs in each of the first two innings, three in the third, and four more in the 4th on their way to their four-and-a-half inning win.
Despite walking in a run in a shaky third inning, sophomore lefty, Sam Bresina, was again impressive striking out five in the win.
