SOFTBALL: Wilmot snags 11th straight win

By Jason Arndt
Editor

Since May 3, the Wilmot Union High School softball team has produced 11 consecutive wins, but the Panthers’ appearance in Poynette three days later intensified the squad’s scorching stretch.

“That weekend we went to Poynette really defined us as a team,” Panthers’ coach Jennifer Jacobson said. “Beating SPASH gave us the confidence, determination and drive that I knew these girls had.”

After the weekend trip, the Panthers won seven more contests, most recently against Union Grove on May 18 followed by Monday’s nonconference decision against Kenosha Bradford

After the May 18 11-0 defeat of Union Grove, the win assured the Panthers of second place in the Southern Lakes Conference at 12-2 (16-4 overall).

Panthers slug Broncos
Wilmot, which scored its 11 runs in four innings, received nine from home runs, including two by Hayli Richards (2-for-2, two runs, three RBI).

With Wilmot ahead 1-0 entering the bottom of the second inning, senior Riley Regnier hit a leadoff home run, followed by Richards first of two home runs, which also plated courtesy runner Kenzi Ketterhagen.

In the next inning, senior Kalyssa Koehn added the team’s third home run, which scored Taylor Danielson, who singled to lead off the inning.

Koehn went 2-for-3, collected a double, and knocked in three runs. Danielson, who had a stole a base, went 2-for-2 with two runs scored.

The Panthers, who added five runs in the fourth inning, started with Richard’s second home run of the contest followed by a two-run home run by junior Montana Platts, which scored sophomore Haley Lamberson.
Platts went 2-for-3 with two runs scored.

Koehn and senior Sarah Hutchinson knocked in the next two runs to give put Union Grove away 11-0.
Hutchinson, who picked up the win, struck out five, walked none and allowed four hits through five innings.

The Panthers’ 11-0 win gives them a sweep of the Union Grove, which dropped to 6-8 in SLC play.

Jacobson believes the sweep of Union Grove, split with Westosha Central and defeating defending champion SPASH made a statement to state observers.

“I’ve said this many times in the past few weeks, but it’s the truth, we have so much to prove. The only team that can beat us is ourselves, so if we keep playing as a team and working as one, we can go very far,” she said.

Best WIAA seed since 2012
Meanwhile, as the Panthers look to the WIAA Division 1 regional, they have a first round bye after drawing a No. 2 seed.

The No. 2 seed is their highest rating since 2012, when they received a No. 1 seed.

“I was definitely going in hoping for either the one or two seed,” Jacobson said. “We are definitely a top team, so I’m happy with it.”

Wilmot 5, Kenosha Bradford 0
May 22

Behind Lamberson, who went 2-for-4 with two RBI, the Panthers edged host Kenosha Bradford Monday to improve to 17-4 overall.

Picking up the win for Panthers on the pitcher’s circle was Hutchinson, who tossed seven innings, walked two, struck out four and allowed three hits.

Wilmot received hits from Koehn (1-for-3), Hutchinson (1-for-3), Regnier (1-for-3, double, run) and Richards (1-for-1, run).


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