Hello Again Fastpitch fans,
It's always interesting to compare the two statewide rankings when they get posted.
Today a pair of Division 1 ranked teams met when Kaukauna delivered a clear statement to every team in that division statewide. They took on highly regarded Oshkosh West and won that game 12-4.
The latest coaches poll was released today with some changes throughout. Green Bay Preble remained the #1 team in Division 1 with Oak Creek right behind but ranked #1 in The Fastpitch Chronicle Rankers minds. Kaukauna is right there as well. Preble is ranked third in the FPC rankings.
Another interesting score from today featured Chilton and New Holstein where the former beat the latter soundly by a score of 14-6. Of course I do not know any details about that game as I never get game stories from either program. Our rankers had New Holstein at #17 in the latest poll and after some research had Chilton just out of the top 10 at #12. It stands to reason that the #12 ought to handle the #17 and they did.
Potosi/Cassville upset Pecatonica today down in the driftless region by a score of 10-6 while Kenosha St. Joe's ripped Martin Luther today to the tune of 5-3.
Some other teams to keep track of if you are interested in doing so throughout the divisions are New Berlin West which is a team that was adversely affected by COVID issues early in the season. They will be a club to reckon with when the WIAA tournament series begins. There could be a monumental matchup in the Green Bay area in late June if West gets to the final four and so does Jefferson.
On Monday my son-in-law and I were talking about yesterday's game between Prairie du Chien and Dodgeville. He was going to that game yesterday along with another friend. They were both the eyes officiating that contest. I told him that it would be a competitive game and that my prediction was a 5-0 Dodgeville win. He reported to me that with two outs to go the score was 5-0 but Dodgeville plated two more, winning 7-0.
Thursday games I will be interested in seeing the results of include Poynette at Columbus. The question will be who will pitch that game for each team. Poynette has an excellent duo of sophomore pitchers in Brooke Steinhorst and Holly Lowenberg. The latter tossed the game against Lake Mills yesterday. So the question on the other side is - will Claire Smedema be in the circle for the Cardinals? If she is it could be another 1-0 Capitol North outcome. I had predicted a 1-0 final in yesterday's Lake Mills at Poynette game and by golly the final was indeed 1-0 in 8 innings with Lake Mills eanring the season split as Poynette owned the first 1-0 win in Lake Mills. In the first meeting between Columbus and Lake Mills in each team's season opener on April 27th Lake Mills edged Columbus 1-0. In the second meeting Smedema did not pitch in a 6-3 Lake Mills win, a game affected by unearned runs on both sides. Tomorrow Lake Mills can clinch the outright Capotil North title with a win over an always pesky Lakeside Lutheran team. A Lakeside win coupled with a Poynette victory would create a two-way tie for the conference crown.
River Valley hosts Dodgeville in Sping Green and that is a huge game.
Marinette at Denmark is a game people in that area should be looking to attend. Marinette is "Keeping it Rising this Year". I wish someone from that northeast area would forward some game summaries.
My good friend Ken Dischler who I met years ago at the WFSCA coaching clinic in Steven's Point's Quandt Field house left Park Falls before the 2019 season and headed up the Oshkosh North team that season leading them to an unbeaten season. He then left for West Bend West. His team takes on in-town rival West Bend East tomorrow so that game interests me.
Mishicot and Stockbridge/Hilbert could be interesting and already is for me. If I lived closer I'd go to that game.
Mayville at Winnebago Lutheran will give us a clear indication of just how strong the private school is as Mayville will be a quality opponent for anyone they play.
Wautoma is a strong contender in that Northeast Sectional with just two "hiccups" in the same three days. Since then they have picked it up with strong work in the circle by Bri Handle and duo threat offense and a defense that is good enough to make the trip to Green Bay. Today they take on Adams-Friendship with a chance to win the South Central title outright.
Sun Prairie is coming on as well and plays Madison Memorial and their hard-throwing kid today so let's watch that matchup as it gets posted this evening.
Here is an important thing to know.
In the WIAA Softball Season Regulations Rule 6 Maximum allowed Games it states in part c - No game may be scheduled (but a game may be rescheduled if postponed) after either of the school's involved has begun WIAA tournament series competition.
Emma Lee of Monona Grove is having a tremendous season for the Silver Eagles. She is batting .623 with 8 home runs. Yesterday she hit a grand slam and had two other big hits.
Have a great Thursday and as always
Keep it Rising!
Bob
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