The Fastpitch Chronicle

Madison LaFollette sophomore catcher Amy Lanzendorf was the hero twice in a game that pitted the state's second and fifth ranked Division 1 teams in the latest Fastpitch Chronicle statewide rankings.

In the bottom of the 11th inning and th score 1-1, Lanzendorf found herself at the plate with one out and the bases full of Lancers. She worked Sun Prairie senior pitcher Kristen Hoppman into a full count. With as much intensity as any high school game in Olbrich Park history the scene was set for the battle between the senior pitcher and the freshman catcher.

In this battle, Lanzendorf was the winner and so was LaFollette, who for the second time this season beat Sun Prairie, last year's Division 1 state runner-up.

Sun Prairie got on the scoreboard first  in the top of the fifth inning when third baseman Katelyn Huemmer singled off of Newman, stole second and scored on a single to right by Briana Peterson.

Hoppman held the Lancers at bat in the fifth and sixth but couldn't get out of the seventh unscathed.

After two were out, Newman Nicole Newman doubled down the left field line bringing Lanzendorf to the plate. With first base open the Cardinals chose to face Lanzendorf. The sophomore catcher delivered a run scoring single up the middle to send the game into extra innings.

The game remained scoreless until the bottom of the 11th when freshman right fielder Ally Counts of Lafollette opened up the frame with a single. Sun Prairie's third baseman Katelyn Huemmer then made a terrific play on a sacrifice bunt attempt by LaFollette's Anna Seelow and forced Counts at second. Freshman Riley Zempel then hit a single to the left side advancing Seelow to third. Sun Prairie then intentionally walked Newman to load the bases which brought Lanzendorf to the plate for the second time with the game on the line. up to bat with the game on the line.

The two Big 8 stalwarts could meet again in the tournament series but #2 seed LaFollette will again have to get past third seeded Verona while Sun Prairie's road isn't much easier with the likes of #4 seed LaCrosse Central.