Athens’ rally in regional final falls short

By Casey Krautkramer

The fifth playoff seed Athens varsity softball team got on the scoreboard first in Thursday’s road WIAA Division 5 regional championship against Thorp, but the first seed Cardinals stormed back for a 9-4 win.

Athens freshman third baseman Ayva Haehlke’s bunt single to Thorp senior pitcher Jasmine Stratton scored sophomore shortstop Karly Eckert in the top of the first inning. Cardinals senior shortstop Elizabeth Frankewicz singled to center field in the bottom of the first inning to tie the game.

Thorp took the lead in the bottom of the third inning after Athens committed an error, and Stratton laid down a bunt, each scoring a run.The Cardinals tacked on three more runs in the bottom of the third inning to take a 6-1 lead.

Athens senior catcher Abby Diethelm blasted a two-run homer to center field in the top of the fifth inning.

Stratton earned the win for Thorp after allowing seven hits and four runs (three earned) over seven innings, striking out 11 and walking five. Freshman pitcher Jaelin Switlick took the loss for Athens after giving up nine runs (three earned) on eight hits while striking out two batters and walking two.

Eckert and sophomore second baseman Autumn Diethelm each collected two hits for Athens. Eckert led the Bluejays with two walks. Athens had five walks in the game.

Frankewicz led Thorp with three runs batted in. Frankewicz also had four of the Cardinals’ six steals against Athens. Thorp didn’t commit an error in the field.

Thorp improves its record to 16-9 this season while Athens ends their season with a 7-13 record.

PHOTO BY ROSS PATTERMANN

BLUEJAYS HOME RUN CELEBRATION- Athens varsity softball players including sophomores Karly Eckert (4) and Ava Erickson (15) and senior Danica Diethelm (13) surround senior Abby Diethelm (21) after her two-run homer in the top of the fifth inning in Thursday’s 9-4 road loss to Thorp in the WIAA Division 5 regional championship.