Number three-seed Iola-Scandinavia beat number two-seed Algoma, 4-3, in 8 innings to win the regional championship and advance to play number one-seed Coleman in a sectional semi-final game Monday, June 21. Coleman beat Shiocton, 11-1, to advance.
Although the Thunderbird defense committed four errors in the game, it was the defense that made several big plays to hold back Algoma. The T-Birds had a double play in the first and fourth innings. In the first inning, after catcher Marin Hoyord caught an attempted sacrifice bunt pop-up, she threw to first base to get the runner out. In the fourth inning, third baseman Katie Cherek caught a line-drive and doubled up the runner at first base.
The T-Birds struck first in the first inning. After Marin Hoyord walked with two outs, courtesy runner Hanah Netyz advanced to second on a wild pitch and scored on an infield single by Alexa Christoph to take a 1-0 lead. The Wolves tied the game, 1-1, in the third inning.
Iola-Scandinavia scored two runs in the sixth inning to take a 3-1 lead. After Alexa Christoph walked and was sacrificed to second by Lizzie Jones, Christoph scored on a single by Clara Koles. Koles eventually scored on a groundout by Taylor Kielblock. Algoma tied the game with a run in the sixth and seventh innings to send the game into extra innings.
In the top-half of the eighth inning, Lizzie Jones singled to start the inning for the Thunderbirds. Pinch-runner Maddie Much advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Clara Koles. Taylor Kielblock singled and advanced Much to third base. With two outs, Much scored when sister Makayla Much drove her in with a bunt single to give the T-Birds a 4-3 lead. In the bottom of the eighth inning, Algoma hit the ball hard including a two-out line drive back to the pitcher Lizzie Jones for the final out of the game.
Pitcher Lizzie Jones went the distance to earn the win. Jones allowed six hits, six walks while striking out three batters. Pitcher Rylee Fenendoel went the distance in taking the loss. Fenendoel allowed nine hits, three walks while striking out five batters.
Iola-Scandinavia outhit Algoma 9-6. Makayla Much had three hits for the Thunderbirds. For the Wolves, Hannah Wiese and Hannah Lee each had two hits including a double by Wiese.
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