Softball squad splits at home invite

By Dan Truttschel ~ Sports Correspondent

 

Central Invitational was met with split results for the Falcons’ softball team.

Central defeated Oak Creek 11-8 but fell 3-2 to Kenosha Tremper Saturday. The two-game split left the Falcons at 16-5 overall and 12-1 in the Southern Lakes Conference headed into a road game at rival Wilmot Tuesday.

A win in that matchup would basically secure an SLC title for Central, while a loss could potentially force a three-way tie for the crown. Results of that matchup were unavailable by press time.

“We just need to correct a few things, keep our sights forward and we’ll be OK,” Central co-coach Tom Lampe said. “Our team knows what it has to do.”

Against Oak Creek, the Falcons trailed throughout until a six-run sixth-inning explosion but them ahead to stay.

The outburst turned a 7-4 deficit into a 10-7 lead, one that Central wouldn’t relinquish.

Central banged out 15 hits in the win, led by Lexi Hermes and Brittany Blazich, each with three, and Larkin Langston, Abbey McDonald, Maggie McMullin and Jessica Shane with two apiece.

Hayden Krueger drove in three runs with a bases-clearing double, while Hermes and Langston each had two RBI. Blazich also scored twice.

“Hayden worked the count and the pitcher was forced to come into her wheelhouse,” Lampe said. “We did a nice job of coming back but we were not into the game early on.”

Taylor Bergles, who has filled in for starting pitcher Sarah Fonk, picked up the complete-game win, as she allowed eight hits, seven walks, eight runs and struck out nine. Just one of the runs charged to Bergles was earned.

Central held a slim 2-1 lead against Tremper before the Trojans finally erased the deficit with two runs in the top of the seventh inning to squeak out the win.

“This was a tough one to take,” Lampe said. “We’re just not clicking right now. Hopefully we can get it straight. I know we will put the work in to do so.”

Bergles had three hits, while Krueger and McDonald each had two.

Bergles worked all seven innings, and allowed eight hits, three earned runs and struck out two.

Following Tuesday’s game with Wilmot, Central was back in action Thursday afternoon at Brookfield East. The Falcons will close out their regular season Friday, May 25, at Kenosha Bradford.

Action in the WIAA Division 1 regional tournament will begin next week.

 

Central splits two in SLC

Prior to its invitational, the Falcons split two SLC games, as they fell 4-2 May 17 to Union Grove, but defeated Waterford 11-4 two days earlier.

Central held a 2-0 lead against Union Grove but the Broncos scored all four of their runs in the sixth and hung on for the win.

The Falcons had 10 hits, including two apiece by Bergles, Blazich, Liz Fonk and McDonald. Blazich also was credited with an RBI.

Bergles struck out two and allowed nine hits and three walks in seven innings of work. All four of Union Grove’s runs charged to Bergles were earned.

“Taylor pitched great for us,” Lampe said. “They just performed when they needed to. Sometimes it’s about giving credit to your opponent. They made the plays when they needed to, and we came up one play short.”

Central broke open a close game in the opener with two runs in the fourth inning and three more in the fifth in the 11-4 win over Waterford.

Shane had three hits and two runs scored to lead the way, followed by Blazich, Liz Fonk and McDonald with two hits and an RBI and Krueger with two hits and two runs scored.

Bergles pitched all seven innings, and allowed eight hits, three earned runs, five walks and struck out two.

“Taylor has done a fantastic job filling in for Sarah (Fonk),” Lampe said. “She stays within herself and relies on her defense to make plays behind her.”

 


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