Playing a day ahead of schedule because of impending bad weather, the Lady Cardinals (22-5, 11-3 Big Rivers Conference) came out of the gate strong against the Wildcats (8-17, 2-12 BRC), their opponent for a third consecutive game.
Freshman pitcher Violet Mcllquham set the tone early, sending down two of the top three River Falls batters via strikeout as she worked a 1-2-3 top of the first. The offense preceded to back her up, sending 10 to the plate in the bottom of the first and plating four runs.
As both teams settled in, Chi-Hi added two more in the second and fifth innings, before a final insurance run in the 6th.
Senior left fielder Olivia Sanborn went 3 for 4 at the plate to lead the team in hits, freshman third baseman Georgia Romanowski was 2-2 with an RBI and pair of walks, and sophomore catcher Lauren Shepherd had a big solo homer in the second. Mcllquham pitched 6 innings of one-run ball - including a key strikeout with the bases loaded - and finished with 8 Ks on the day. Senior pitcher Lakken McEathron entered in the 7th and sent the Wildcats down in sequence, including two punchouts.
The Lady Cards will advance to the Regional Final on Thursday to play the winner of #5 Wisconsin Rapids Lincoln vs. #12 Wausau East.
THANK YOU to our incredible local sponsors:
Toycen Ford of Chippewa Falls!
White City Glass!
Stelter, Inc.!
Royal Credit Union!
The YMCA of the Chippewa Valley!
Winn Family Dentistry!
Chippewa Valley Orthopedics and Sports Medicine!
Quality Propane and Fuels!
Grace Home Respiratory!
Post Glass & Mirror!
The Medicine Shoppe of Chippewa Falls and Menomonie!
Cook Chiropractic Center!
Nestle Health Science!
Morrie's Auto Group!
Czech Law Office!
Northwestern Bank!
