STATE SOFTBALL: Wilmot plays Germantown in quarterfinal

Wilmot Union High School edged Westosha Central 11-9 Thursday to notch a WIAA Division 1 sectional title, therefore, advancing to Thursday’s state softball quarterfinal at Madison’s Goodman Field. Top row, left: Assistant coach Ryan Dahl, Riley Regnier, Sarah Hutchinson, Kalyssa Koehn, Taylor Danielson, Coach Jenny Jacobson. Bottom row, left: Ashley Beasley, Annalise Devall, Haley Lamberson, Kenzi Ketterhagen, Montana Platts, Hayli Richards, Madison Zerr and Sami Christiansen (Jason Arndt/The Report).

Tickets available Monday for Thursday contest

WIAA Division 1 State Quarterfinal (8 a.m. Thursday)
No. 2 Wilmot (20-4, 12-2 Southern Lakes) vs. No. 1 Germantown (16-8, 11-3 North Shore)

By Jason Arndt
Editor

With the WIAA state softball tournament playing field set, No. 2 seed Wilmot Union High School is the first to take Madison’s Goodman Field, where the Panthers challenge No. 1 seed Germantown in a Division 1 quarterfinal contest.

The quarterfinal, scheduled for 8 a.m. Thursday, is the Panthers first state appearance since 2011.

Meanwhile, for Germantown, the Warhawks have reached the state tournament four of the last five seasons, most recently in 2015, when they lost 5-4 to De Forest in the quarterfinals.

Last year, Germantown failed to make a state appearance after a 3-0 loss to Divine Savior Holy Angels, a school the Warhawks beat to capture a sectional title Thursday.

Panthers rule the polls
Through the 2017 season, the Wisconsin Fastpitch Softball Coaches Association consistently ranked Wilmot in the top 10, including the last reported poll May 22, when Wilmot ranked No. 4 in Division 1.

Germantown, however, has not drawn consideration.

Although both teams finished second in their respective conferences, the Panthers produced better overall results, with the Panthers entering the quarterfinal at 20-4 while the Warhawks have a 16-8 record.

The teams did not have any common opponents in 2017.

SLC versus North Shore
On the state stage, Southern Lakes Conference schools drew better results compared to teams from Germantown’s North Shore Conference.

Since 2012, Germantown has been the lone North Shore Conference representative while the Southern Lakes Conference boasts three different schools, including two last year.

Additionally, in the last four seasons, SLC teams won their quarterfinal games, where Germantown went 2-2.

The last time an SLC team lost a quarterfinal match was in 2012, when Westosha Central dropped a 1-0 decision to Appleton East.

Tickets available
According to the Wilmot Union High School Facebook page, the school plans to offer tickets starting Monday at a price of $8 for each session, available at the main office starting at 8 a.m.

Meanwhile, for those planning to attend the state tournament at Goodman Field, the complex is on the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus, 2415 University Bay Drive, Madison.

About last time…
The last time Wilmot reached the state tournament, the four seniors were just finishing the sixth grade, and the underclassmen were still in elementary school.

In 2011, the 25-2 Panthers, led by Kristen Wood, advanced to the state championship game against Stevens Point Area Senior High School, but lost in a 2-1 pitcher’s duel.

However, in the quarterfinal round, Wilmot shut down Oconomowoc 10-0, behind Sarah Vozel (2-for-3, two RBI), Bailie Sheahan (2-for-3, run, two RBI) and Kelsey Saucerman (2-for-3, two RBI)

Wood, who went 2-for-3, struck out 12 hitters in a five-inning perfect game.

In the state semifinal, Wilmot edged Bradford 4-3, courtesy of multi-hit performances by Sheahan, Kelli Hutchinson, Wood and Karlie Dorn.

2017 State Softball Tournament
Schedule courtesy of WIAA

Thursday, June 8
Session 1 –
8 a.m. – Division 1 Quarterfinal (Wilmot vs. Germantown)
10 a.m. – Division 1 Quarterfinal (Menomonee Falls vs. Oak Creek)

Session 2 –
12:30 p.m. – Division 1 Quarterfinal (Kaukauna vs. Oshkosh North)
2:30 p.m. – Division 1 Quarterfinal (Stevens Point vs. Sun Prairie)

Session 3 –
5 p.m. – Division 5 Semifinal (McDonell Central vs. Belmont)
7 p.m. – Division 5 Semifinal (Wausaukee vs. Blair-Taylor
9 p.m. – Division 4 Semifinal (Phillips vs. Juda/Albany)

Friday, June 9
Session 4 –
8 a.m. – Division 4 Semifinal (Shiocton vs. Pacelli)
10 a.m. – Division 3 Semifinal (Bloomer vs. Laconia)
Noon – Division 3 Semifinal (Weyauwega-Fremont vs. Marshall)

Session 5 –
2:30 p.m. – Division 2 Semifinal (Rice Lake vs. Kewaskum)
4:30 p.m. – Division 2 Semifinal (New London vs. Turner)

Session 6 –
7 p.m. – Division 1 Semifinal (Upper Bracket Winners)
9 p.m. – Division 1 Semifinal (Lower Bracket Winners)

Saturday, June 10
Session 7 –
8 a.m. Division 5 Championship

Session 8 –
10:30 a.m. – Division 4 Championship

Session 9 –
1 p.m. – Division 3 Championship

Session 10 –
4 p.m. – Division 2 Championship

Session 11 –
6:30 p.m. – Division 1 Championship


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