Stratford falls to Nekoosa in playoffs

Aunt relishes an opportunity to coach her niece

Stratford’s softball team couldn’t hold onto an 8-3 lead as the third inning ended, by allowing Nekoosa to storm back for a 15-11 WIAA Division 3 regional quarterfinal win last Wednesday at Hilgemann Field. The young Tigers conclude this season with a 5-15 record for head coach Mandy Pankratz, who had the privilege of coaching her niece, senior left fielder Maria Schoenfuss, in a final high school softball game. Schoenfuss began her high school softball career as a starting pitcher, before making the switch to playing left field in the latter part of her career.

Things looked promising for Stratford early in its home regional playoff game against Nekoosa. Junior first baseman Delaney Dennee had an RBI single in bottom of the first inning, and later on sophomore catcher Tessa Berg scored on a sacrifice fly to give the Tigers a 2-0 advantage.

Stratford junior starting pitcher Aly Zuleger surrendered a pair of runs to Nekoosa in the top of the third inning, before the Tigers plated six more runs in the bottom half of the inning. Schoenfuss singled, Berg was hit by a pitch and Dennee walked to load the bases for Stratford with no outs.

Nekoosa’s pitcher was able to get two straight outs, before Stratford junior Kylee Manecke smacked a two-RBI double to score Schoenfuss and Berg. Senior Sydney Busche then hit an RBI single to score Dennee.

The Tigers weren’t finished yet in the third inning, as junior third baseman Megan Wiese doubled which sent Busche to third base. Both Busche and Wiese ended up scoring on Nekoosa’s wild pitches.

Zuleger couldn’t pitch herself out of trouble in the fourth, fifth and sixth innings. She gave up eight earned runs to Nekoosa during her six innings in the pitcher’s circle, before being relieved by Sonia Peterson who didn’t far much better by surrendering seven earned runs to the Papermakers.

Schoenfuss played well in her final high school game, by hitting four for five at the plate and scoring twice. Stratford returns 12 of its 16 players next season, including Wiese who batted a perfect three for three against Nekoosa with a walk, an RBI and one run scored. Two other underclassmen, Manecke and Zuleger, collected a pair of RBIs each against the Papermakers.

Stratford won its last regular-season game, 5-4, against Eau Claire Regis at home on June 7. Stratford enjoyed a walk-off win on Manecke’s base hit to left field scored senior Sarah Martin for the winning run.

Zuleger pitched the complete-game win with two strikeouts and four walks. Schoenfuss batted three for three with a double, an RBI and two runs scored. Manecke hit three for four with a run scored, while Berg was two for three with a pair of RBIs in the victory.

Edgar drops playoff opener

Edgar’s softball team was shut out by Marawood South Conference foe Auburndale, 4-0, in a WIAA Division 4 regional semifinal on Monday in Edgar.

The two teams split their conference regular-season series, before facing each other in the playoffs. They tied for second place in the Marawood South.

Edgar freshman starting pitcher Mckayla Wirkus struck out seven Auburndale batters during her six inings in the pitcher’s circle. She was charged with the pitching loss, and reliever Jessica Mucha pitched the final inning.

The Wildcats end this season with a 14-7 record, while the Eagles are 16-5.

Edgar downed Neillsville, 11-4, on June 7 on the road to conclude the regular season. Sophomore Reagan Borchardt led the team with four RBIs and Mucha had three hits. Wirkus got the pitching win.