Panther girls scratch out win against Delavan

By Dan Truttschel~Sports Correspondent

In year’s past, a Southern Lakes Conference softball game with Delavan-Darien usually meant a pretty easy afternoon at the office.

It appears those days have ended.

Wilmot found itself in a battle all afternoon when it hosted the Comets and their freshman pitcher Jennah Speth May 1.

The Panthers scratched out single runs in the second and fourth innings and sophomore pitcher Justine Schattner made those hold up in a hard-fought 2-0 victory.

Wilmot improved to 3-2 in the SLC and 5-2 overall heading into a home doubleheader Monday afternoon against Burlington. Results of that matchup were unavailable by press time.

The Panthers scored their first run in the second inning on an RBI single by Sam Schloegl. Wilmot added an insurance run in the fourth inning on an RBI groundout by Kerrigan Patterson.

But that was it for the Wilmot offense.

“Their pitcher did a good job of mixing things up and keeping our hitters off balance,” Wilmot coach Pat Dopke said. “We were hitting lazy fly balls and pounding the ball into the ground as a result.

“As a hitter, you just have to keep battling and put the ball in play to make something happen.”

Schattner matched Speth all day, as she allowed just two hits, three walks and struck out six.

“Justine is going to get better the more she pitches,” Dopke said. “Her ball has a little more movement and that helps keep the opposing batters from squaring up on the pitch.”

Schattner and the Panthers were aided by some stellar defensive plays, including an outstanding diving play from shortstop Ashley Webster, who threw out the batter from her knees with a runner on third to end the sixth inning.

“In a tight game, every play is important,” Dopke said. “When your opponent puts the ball in play, your defense needs to make the plays. We’ve been pretty good at that all year.”

Patterson led the offense with two hits, followed by one apiece by Webster, Taylor Kontaxis, Schattner, Alyssa Horn and Schloegl. Horn also scored both of Wilmot’s runs.

The doubleheader Monday was the first two of nine games on the schedule this week. Wilmot traveled to Delavan-Darien Tuesday and hosted Elkhorn in a twinbill Wednesday, followed by a home game Thursday against Badger.

Wilmot finishes its week Saturday when it competes at the always difficult Chippewa Falls Invitational. The Panthers open play in the three-game tournament against D.C. Everest.

“The biggest challenge is utilizing our pitching so that no one gets burned out,” Dopke said. “I think the opponents in the first six games work to our advantage in that respect. Hopefully, the girls come out and are excited to finally get a bunch of games in.”

Wilmot rallied with two runs in the top of the seventh inning, but stranded the tying run on third base to end the game in a 9-8 SLC loss last April 30 at Waterford.

The game was an offensive battle from the start, Dopke said.

“Waterford is a very experienced team,” he said. “They hit the ball very well. When your outfield has to respect their ability to hit, it opens up some holes for them.

“We were able to get runners on base every inning and scored in five of those innings. They just scored in bigger bunches than we did.”

Kontaxis had three hits and an RBI, followed by Sawyer Wightman with three hits, three runs scored and an RBI. Patterson added two hits, including a double, and two runs scored, while Kiana Vasquez had two hits, including a double, and four RBI. Jessica Rainey scored two runs for the Panthers.

Lauren Orszula took the loss, as she pitched three innings, and allowed nine hits, seven earned runs, two walks and struck out two. Schattner worked the last three innings, and allowed three hits and a walk.

 


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