Bluejays edged by the Northstars

Athens falls in D-5 sectional road semifinal

The Athens softball team scored a pair of late runs against Hurley on Monday, but it was little too late. Athens lost a nail biter, 3-2, in a road WIAA Divison 5 sectional semifinal.

Junior Siarra Hart was charged with the pitching loss. Freshman third baseman Addison Lavicka had two of the team’s six hits. Sophomore Celina Ellenbecker smacked an RBI triple and freshman Sydney Coker had an RBI double for the Bluejays.

Athens easily downed Drummond, 15-0 in four innings, in a home WIAA Division 5 regonal championship last Wednesday. Hart gained the pitching win with nine strikeouts.

Hart was also perfect at the plate by batting three for three with a walk, five RBIs and three runs scored in the victory. Senior catcher Shauna Belter hit two for three with a walk, two RBIs and a pair of runs scored. Freshman shortstop Jazelle Hartwig batted two for three with a pair of RBIs and a run scored.

Belter and junior Elle Gauerke each doubled, while Hart and Lavicka both tripled in the regonal title game win.

Athens head softball coach Craig Diedrich was pleased with how his team performed in the playoffs, despite losing to a tough Hurley squad in sectionals. The Northstars have a 20-5 record following their victory against the Bluejays.

“The 2021 Bluejays softball team is extremely excited to have won the regional championship and advance to sectionals,” he said. “We truly did have a special group of girls this year. Seniors Shauna Belter, Grace Johnson and Autumn Westfall did a super job leading our team and they will be truly missed.

Athens concludes its season with a 16-9 record. Athens shared the Marawood North Conference title with Phillips this year.