MADISON, Wis. – Five teams claimed championships at the 2024 State Girls Softball Tournament at Goodman Softball Complex Saturday.
Second-seeded Kenosha Bradford (28-3) scored multiple runs in each of the even innings to defeated fourth-seeded Milton (26-3) 9-3 in the Division 1 championship game.
The Red Devils manufactured four runs in the second inning on three hits to take a 4-0 advantage. They added three runs in the fourth inning on three hits including a two-run single by Celia May to expand their lead to 7-1.
The Red Hawks cut their deficit to four at 7-3 with a pair of runs in the fifth inning on two hits, including an RBI triple by Lynden Briggs.
Kenosha Bradford responded by adding a pair of insurance runs in the sixth inning on two hits and a Red Hawks’ error to account for the final score.
The Red Devils recorded 10 hits in the game, all were singles. Aubrey Strehlow went 2-for-3 with a run scored and an RBI, and Angela Parker had two hits and drove in two runs. Morgan Smith also added two hits with an RBI and a run scored. Strelow earned the victory, pitching 5 1/3 innings. She allowed six hits and three runs while striking out eight batters. Brooklynn Danielson came on in relief and allowed one hit in 1 2/3 innings to earn the save.
Milton was led on offense by Jenna Benash, who had two of the Red Hawks’ seven hits and scored a run. Gwen Baker was the losing pitcher, giving up nine runs, including six earned runs on 10 hits while striking out eight.
Kenosha Bradford won the State title for the first time in their five tournament appearances. Milton finished runner-up in its fourth State experience.
Third-seeded Waupun (20-4) scored all its runs in two innings to down top-seeded Mosinee (29-2) 7-3 in the Division 2 title game.
Pitcher Addison Braun played a large role in the Warriors’ victory, both in the circle and at the plate. Her triple in a two-run fourth inning drove in the run that tied the game at 1-1, and her grand slam in a five-run fifth inning increased the lead to 7-1.
She went 3-for-4 in the game with three hits and five RBI. Ava Vande Zande also had three hits in the game and scored a run. Braun allowed three runs and struck out five in posting the complete-game victory.
The Indians were led in hitting by Maggie Woller with two hits, and Amber Gonzalez belted an RBI double for the team’s only extra-base in the game. Ava Busse was charged with the loss in the circle after yielding seven runs on 10 hits with five strikeouts.
Waupun won the program’s first State championship in its third appearance, and Mosinee advanced to the championship game for the third time in three State experiences, finishing runner-up for the second time.
Prescott (21-8), the third seed, persevered a 77-minute rain delay to defeat fourth-seed Laconia (21-9) 3-1 in the Division 3 championship game. Leah French came up with the big hit to break a 1-1 tie in the fourth inning on a two-run single.
French collected a pair of hits to lead all hitters in the game, which featured no extra-base hits. Ella Stewart earned the victory in the circle, allowing one earned run on three hits in seven innings.
Three different players delivered singles in the game for the Spartans. Addison Maurer drove in the only run for the Cubans with an RBI single. She started in the circle for Laconia and was charged with the loss, tossing three innings while giving up three runs on six hits with four strikeouts. Lily Schultz pitched three innings of scoreless relief, allowing two hits and striking out two.
Prescott won its first State title in seven tourney appearances, and Laconia placed runner-up in its sixth State experience.
Top-seeded Fall Creek (30-2) captured the Division 4 crown with a 7-0 shutout of Cuba City (23-3) in the championship game.
All but one of the Crickets’ runs were unearned. Leading 1-0 heading into the bottom of the sixth inning, they piled on six insurance runs. Fall Creek took advantage of five hits, two Cubans’ errors and a pair of wild pitches in the frame.
Emma Westrate went 3-for-3 at the plate, and Averie Barka and Grace Herrem each collected two hits apiece to lead the Crickets’ offensive attack. Herrem tossed a shutout to record the win. She surrendered four hits and struck out three batters without a walk.
The Cubans were held to four singles in the game and did not have a runner past second base. Payton Gile gave up nine hits and walked one with seven strikeouts in six innings. She was charged with the loss in the circle for the Cubans.
Fall Creek wins its first championship in its first State appearance. Cuba City places runner-up in its inaugural experience in the tournament.
Second-seeded Pacelli (28-2) won its second consecutive Division 5 championship with a 4-3 victory over top-seeded Oakfield (26-4) in the title game.
After the Oaks took a 3-1 lead in the bottom of the fourth inning on a two-run triple by Alyvia Robinson, the Cardinals plated three runs in the top of the fifth. Doubles by Kaylin Yenter and Amelia Martini, two errors and a wild pitch helped fuel the rally.
Peyton Mancl was credited with the win in the circle, tossing seven innings and yielding one earned run and five hits while striking out 11. Martini led the Pacelli offense with two hits. Amy Lamonska was charged with the loss for the Oaks, giving up two earned runs on six hits with five strikeouts. Robinson had a pair of hits and two RBI in the game to pace the Oakfield offense.
It’s the fifth State title won by the Cardinals in their 12 appearances. The Oaks finished runner-up in their 17th experience in the tournament.
Complete Results and Statistics