The 46th annual WisconsinInterscholastic Athletic Association State Softball Tournament was held from Thursday through Saturday at Goodman Diamond in Madison, Wis.
Division 1
The Kaukauna softball team capped a perfect 31-0 season by defeating Sun Prairie, 11-3, in the Division 1 state championship game on Saturday evening. The Galloping Ghosts, back-to-back D1 state champions, capture the program's fourth state titleand will enter the 2023 season with a 51-game winning streak.
Kaukauna finished with 12 hits in the state championship game with the top five of the batting order having two hits each and combined for 10 runs and six RBIs. The Galloping Ghosts scored four runs in the first inning, three in the second, and four in the fourth.
SeniorSkyler Calmes, an NCAA Division II Winona State commit, earned the win the circle for Kaukauna. She started the game and didn't allow a hit over four innings while striking out one and walking two. FreshmanKarly Meredith pitched the final three innings for coach Tim Roehrig and the Galloping Ghosts, allowing three runs (one earned) on two hits with one strikeout and two walks. The freshman phenom also went 2-for-4 with two RBIs and two runs scored in the victory.
Sun Prairie finishes the year with a 29-2 record and the D1state runner-up for the second consecutive season, falling to Kaukauna in the state title game both seasons. CoachJamie Olson has guided the Cardinals to a state title game appearance in each of the past four seasons (2020 was canceled due to COVID-19) with one gold ball in that span. This is the last season with one high school in Sun Prairie, this fall Sun Prairie West opens.
Semifinals:
Sun Prairie over Oak Creek, 4-3 - Box Score
Kaukauna over Superior, 10-0 - Box Score
Quarterfinals:
Sun Prairie over Milton, 5-0 - Box Score
Oak Creek over Sussex Hamilton, 4-2 - Box Score
Kaukauna over Oshkosh West, 7-1 - Box Score
Superior over Cedarburg, 10-0 - Box Score
Division 2
The Freedom Irish (30-2) claimed the program's first state softball title, topping Jefferson, 5-4 in 8-innings, in the Division 2 state championship game.
The Irish tallied seven hits in the title game with juniorSadie Jarmolowicz and freshmanMarlee Smith leading the attack with two hits each. JuniorKierstin Kriewaldt drove in the game-winning run in the top of the 8th inning when she singled inNaleyah Bork.
Bork earned the victory, pitching a complete game while allowing four runs (two earned) on nine hits with 10 strikeouts and two walks in the contest for coachTim Dietzen and the Irish.
This was Freedom's first state tournament appearance since 1987 (Class B).
Jefferson, coached by Mark Peterson, finishes the year with a 29-2 record, making its second consecutive trip (4th overall state appearance) to the WIAA state softball tournament.
Semifinals:
Jefferson over Wisconsin Lutheran, 3-0 - Box Score
Freedom over New London, 11-10 - Box Score
Division 3
The Poynette Pumas joined a short list of teams that have captured six WIAA state softball titles when they defeated New Holstein, 5-3, in the Division 3 state championship game to finish the year 21-5 overall.
Poynette is one of five teamsin WIAA state softball history to capture at least six state titles, joining Stevens Point (8), Kimberly (7), Marion (6), and Oakfield (6).
The Pumas tallied eight hits in the game, scoringfour runs in the third and one in the fourth en route to the victory. Leading the hitting attack were seniorAshia Meister and freshmanMorgan Gunderson each finished with two hits and an RBI a piece.
JuniorHolly Lowenberg allowed three runs (two earned) on five hits with eight strikeouts and no walks to earn the win the circle for coachMatt Ramburg and the Pumas.
Lowenberg also recorded a hit and two RBI in the contest.
New Holstein, coached byJulie Woelfel, ends the 2022 season with a 20-6 record in the program's first-ever WIAA state softball tournament appearance.
Semifinals:
New Holstein over Baldwin-Woodville, 5-2 - Box Score
Poynette over Wautoma, 10-0 - Box Score
Division 4
The Grantsburg Pirates (22-2)edged Horicon, 3-2, in the Division 4 state championship game to capture the program's thirdWIAA state softball title.
Grantsburg finished with seven hits in the game, scoring two runs in the second and one in the third. Leading the hitting attack were sophom*oreMegan Schafer and seniorHanne Johnson who each finished with a pair of hits in the win for coachDon Bjelland and the Pirates.
FreshmanWhitney Myers earned the victory for the Pirates, allowing two runs (one earned) on six hits while striking out two and walking one. At the plate, she was1-for-3 with an RBI and run scored.
Horicon, coached by Roger Schliewe, ends the year with a 22-7 record in the program's ninth state tournament appearance. The Marshmen now have two state runner-up finishes to go along with their four state titles.
Semifinals:
Grantsburg over Luther, 12-5 - Box Score
Horicon over Iola-Scandinavia, 10-0 - Box Score
Division 5
The Assumption Royals (21-5) claimed the program's third WIAA state title, defeating Barneveld, 3-1, in the Division 5 state championship game.
JuniorAva Schill allowed one run (earned) on three hits while striking out six and issuing no walks in the circle to earn the win for the Royals. Schill also led the hitting attack for co-head coachesCharlie Nelson andRob Schill, going 2-for-3 with two RBIs and a run scored.
Barneveld, coached by Jason Gordon, ends its season with a 22-7 record, finishing as the state runner-up in the program'sfirst state tournament appearance.
Semifinals:
Assumption over Thorp, 5-2 - Box Score
Barneveld over Edgar, 5-1 - Box Score
