The Fastpitch Chronicle

Wisconsin jumped through an open door in the top of the first inning today in Poynette.

The Vanguards got a leadoff single from Kayla Kraemer then a walk. A bloop single to right fell in and the throw to the plate to cut off Kraemer attempting to score was perfect but the ball was dropped and the run scored. After a ground out and strikeout Georgia Vils was struck by a pitch. With bases full, Libby Forseth hit a slow roller between Riley Barnharst at first base and Jordyn Mackey at second. Barnharst broke for the ball and fielded it. In a foot-race to the bag Barnharst, realizing she couldn't touch the bag ahead of Forseth with her foot dove headlong, touching the bag with her hand just before Forseth touched it with her foot. "That was one of the most heady and amazing plays I have seen a Poynette girl complete in my 36 years here as head coach," said Poynette coach Bob Tomlinson.

Wisconsin Heights pitcher Makenzie Kraemer held the Pumas at bay in the first and second innings but in the bottom of the third Jenna Sandstrom nailed a 3-1 pitch and sent it over the gate in dead centerfield, knotting the game at 1-1. Before the inning was over the Pumas added two more as Mya Knuteson singled, stole second and watched Shelby Wheeler draw a base on balls. Sophomore third sacker Brooke Dredske then laced a double that scored both runners making it 3-1.

Blochwitz would limit Heights to just one more hit through the sixth inning. 

In the Poynette fourth Emily Cibulka walked and courtesy runner Megan Brookins swiped second and third base before Sophomore DP Haley Radewan hit a towering shot deep in the gap in rightcenter for a triple giving the Pumas a 5-1 lead. Poynette added two more in the Wheeler was struck by a pitch and Dredske singled. When Cibulka hit a ball to shortstop the throw to first sailed over the head of the first sacker and both runners scored.

The bottom of the sixth saw Mackey reach first on an infield single and Wheeler draw a base on balls. Dredske then unloaded a double on a Kraemer offering that chased Mackey home and left runners on second and third.

In the top of the seventh Blochwitz retired the #8 batter before Emily Annen reached on an infield single. A walk to Kayla Kraemer put runners on first and second when an error at second took place loading the bases. Makenzie Kramer singled to left to score Annen. Freshman Mattie Bredeson was sent in to pitch and coaxed a pop up to second and a liner that died in Mackey's glove to end the game. 

The two Kraemer girls both had two hits for Heights while Annen and Kourtney Wolfe each singled.

Poynette was led by Dredske with two doubles and a single in a 3x4 game and Mackey who went 3x4. Wheeler reached base safely three times, twice via base on balls and once on a hit batter. Mya Knuteson had a single and a perfectly executed squeeze bunt and of course Radewan had the towering triple.

Poynette moved to 26-1 and claimed its sixth consecutive regional championship and heads into it's sixth straight sectional semi-final. That game will be Tuesday in Poynette against Marshall who is 26-1 as well. 

Article text