THE TOURNAMENT: The 47th Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association State Softball Tournament will take place Thursday-Saturday, June 8-10, at Goodman Diamond on the University of Wisconsin campus in Madison, Wis.
TICKET INFORMATION: Ticket prices for the tourney are $11 per session for quarterfinals and semifinals, $25 for an all-day ticket on Thursday and Friday, and $9 for each championship game Saturday. Tickets are to be purchased on-line on the WIAA website through GoFan, the WIAA ticketing partner, at: https://gofan.co/app/school/WIAAWI?activity=Softball.
TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE AND PAIRINGS: The single elimination tournament features five divisions. Eight teams qualify in Division 1 and four each in Divisions 2, 3, 4 and 5. All teams are seeded in each of the divisional brackets. The second game of each session will begin approximately 30 minutes following the first game.
Division 1
Quarterfinals - Thursday, June 8
Game-1: #2 Superior (25-0) vs. #7 Menomonee Falls (22-7) - 8 a.m.
Game-2: #3 Oshkosh West (25-4) vs. #6 Sun Prairie East (24-4) - 10 a.m.*
Game-3: #1 Kaukauna (27-0) vs. #8 Waterford (19-6) - Noon*
Game-4: #4 Arrowhead (24-4) vs. #5 Oak Creek 23-6) - 2 p.m.*
Semifinals - Friday, June 9
Game-5: Winner of Game 1 vs. Winner of Game 2 - 7 p.m.
Game-6: Winner of Game 3 vs. Winner of Game 4 - 9 p.m.*
Championship - Saturday, June 10
Game-7: Winner of Game 5 vs. Winner of Game 6 - 6:30 p.m.*
Division 2
Semifinals - Friday, June 9
Game-1: #1 New Berlin Eisenhower (25-4) vs. #4 New London (18-6) - 2:30 p.m.
Game-2: #2 Freedom (25-2) vs. #3 Turner (22-2) - 4:30 p.m.*
Championship - Saturday, June 10
Game-3: Winner of Game 1 vs. Winner of Game 2 - 4 p.m.
Division 3
Semifinals - Friday, June 9
Game-1: #1 Brodhead (25-2) vs. #4 Somerset (11-12) - 10 a.m.*
Game-2: #2 Mishicot (21-5) vs. #3 Mayville (19-4) - Noon*
Championship - Saturday, June 10
Game-3: Winner of Game 1 vs. Winner of Game 2 - 1 p.m.*
Division 4
Semifinals - Thursday, June 8
Game-1: #1 Grantsburg (26-3) vs. #4 Iola-Scandinavia (21-9) - 4:30 p.m.
Game-2: #2 Stratford (18-9) vs. #3 Waterloo (15-5) - 6:30 p.m.*
Championship - Saturday, June 10
Game-3: Winner of Game 1 vs. Winner of Game 2 - 10:30 a.m.*
Division 5
Semifinal - Thursday, June 8
Game-1: #1 Pacelli (26-1) vs. #4 McDonell Catholic (19-6) - 8:30 p.m.*
Semifinal - Friday, June 9
Game-2: #2 Assumption (19-2) vs. #3 Oakfield (24-3) - 8 a.m.
Championship - Saturday, June 10
Game-3: Winner of Game 1 vs. Winner of Game 2 - 8 a.m.
* Games begin approximately 30 minutes following previous game.
PRE-FINALS LIVE ON WIAA.TV: The pre-finals of State Softball Tournament will be streamed live on the WIAA.TV portal of the NFHS Network on a subscription basis. To purchase a subscription to the live programming, log-on to wiaa.tv or www.nfhsnetwork.com and click on the blue subscription graphic in the upper right side of the homepage.
FINALS LIVE ON BALLY SPORTS WISCONSIN: Watch the WIAA State Softball Tournament finals on Bally Sports Wisconsin or the Bally Sports Wisconsin Extra channel. The championship games in Divisions 2-5 will air live on Bally Sports Wisconsin Extra. The Division 1 final will air on Bally Sports Wisconsin. Check local cable listings for the channel in your area. The championship finals will also be streamed live on the Bally Sports app. Register for the app and sign in with your cable or satellite authentication to stream on mobile devices. The finals can also be watched digitally on Bally Sports Wisconsin Plus through a subscription to the service. To subscribe, visit ballysportsplus.com.
TEAM TOURNAMENT HISTORY: The WIAA has been sponsoring the State Softball Tournament since 1976. Stevens Point leads all programs in State titles won with nine. Kimberly has claimed seven titles, and Marion, Oakfield and Poynette have six. Denmark has won five. Stevens Point has appeared in the most State Tournaments with 18. Ashwaubenon and now Oakfield are next on the list with 16. Chippewa Falls and Kimberly have 14 appearances, followed by Homestead, Poynette and Verona with 12.
LAST YEAR: Top-seeded Kaukauna won its second Division 1 title in a row last season with an 11-3 win over Sun Prairie in the championship game. In Division 2, second-seeded Freedom won the title with a 5-4 victory over top-seeded Jefferson in the final. Second-seeded Poynette captured the Division 3 crown with a 5-3 win over fourth-seeded New Holstein in the championship game. In Division 4, top-seeded Grantsburg edged second-seeded Horicon 3-2 in the title game to win the crown, and Assumption, the #1 seed, earned the championship with a 3-1 win over second-seeded Barneveld in the Division 5 final.
THE DIVISION 1 FIELD: Two-time defending champion and top-seeded Kaukauna is the top seed. The Galloping Ghosts return to the State Tournament for the fifth time overall and for the third year in a row. They captured the gold trophy in each of their previous State appearances including 2010, 2017, 2021 and 2022. They advance to the State quarterfinals this season from the Pulaski Sectional by rolling to a six-inning, 10-0 win over Green Bay Preble in the final. They are the champions of the Fox Valley Association this spring. Superior is the #2 seed in the bracket. The Spartans qualify for the sixth time and for the second straight season. The most notable of the previous experiences were when the Spartans advanced to the semifinals in 1978 and in 2022. They finished first in the Lake Superior Conference this season and blanked Stevens Point 1-0 in the Marshfield Sectional final to qualify for State. Oshkosh West, the third seed, has qualified for the State Tournament for the ninth time and for the second consecutive season. The Wildcats furthest advance in the State Tournament was a runner-up finish in 1989. They qualify this season with an eight-inning, 2-1 win over Watertown in the final of the West Bend West Sectional. They placed second in the Fox Valley Association this season. Fourth-seeded Arrowhead is making its seventh trip to State and its first since 2008. The Warhawks won the Class A title in their first-ever appearance at State in 1982. They make their return to the tournament field following a 5-2 victory over Hamilton in the sectional final hosted by the Warhawks. They are the champions of the Classic Eight Conference this spring. Fifth-seeded Oak Creek is making its second straight appearance at State and its 11th overall. The Knights’ most notable experience in the tourney was a runner-up finish in 2005. They are the champions of the Southeast Conference this spring, and they qualified for State by virtue of their 2-1 win in eight innings over Kenosha Bradford/Reuther in the sectional final played in Kenosha. Sun Prairie East is the #6 seed in the bracket. The Cardinals qualify for the first time after the school district split into two schools this year. Sun Prairie, before it split into two schools, finished runner-up last season and qualified for State five straight times before the split, not including 2020 when the season and tournament was canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The former Cardinals made eight appearances overall. The Sun Prairie program also finished runner-up in 2012, 2019 and 2021. They won their lone championship in 2018. This season, Sun Prairie East is the champion in the Big Eight Conference, and they remain in contention for the title with a 7-0 over Madison Memorial in the sectional final played at Middleton. Seventh-seeded Menomonee Falls is participating in its seventh State Tournament overall and its first since the 2018 season. The Phoenix advanced to the semifinals that season and in 2013, which represents their furthest advance at State. They finished second in the Greater Metro Conference standings this season. Their return to the State semifinals comes by virtue of an 8-6 win over Cedarburg in the Nicolet Sectional final. Waterford, the eighth seed, qualifies for State for the first time in program history. The Wolverines celebrate their initial appearance following a 4-0 victory over Kettle Moraine in the Oregon Sectional final. They placed second in the Southern Lakes Conference standings during the regular season.
THE DIVISION 2 FIELD: Top-seeded New Berlin Eisenhower advances to the State Tournament for the seventh time overall and for the first time since 2014. The Lions captured the Division 2 championship in 2008. In their five other appearances, they have been eliminated in the semifinal round. Their return to the State Tournament comes by virtue of a 1-0 shutout over Wisconsin Lutheran in the sectional final held at Wisconsin Lutheran. The Lions are the co-champions of the Woodland Conference with Wisconsin Lutheran this spring. Defending champion Freedom, the #2 seed, is back in the State Tournament for the second year in a row and for the fourth time overall. The Irish’s first two appearances came back-to-back in Class B in 1986 and 1987, which resulted in losses in the semifinals. Their quest to defend their title continues after a 9-1 win over Waupun in the Seymour Sectional final. They finished runner-up in the North Eastern Conference in 2023. Turner, the third seed, qualifies for State for the fifth time and for the first time since 2017. The Trojans’ most notable experiences were a runner-up finish that season and a Division 3 runner-up finish in 2002. They ousted West Salem 6-4 in the final of the Big Foot Sectional to earn their berth in the State Tournament field this season. They finished second in the South Division of the Rock Valley Conference this season behind Division 3 qualifier Brodhead. Fourth-seeded New London makes its second straight State appearance and its eighth overall. A five-year run of State experiences from 2013-17 resulted in a State title in 2013 and runner-up finish in 2014. The Bulldogs also finished runner-up in 2005. This season, they downed Rice Lake 13-3 in six innings in the Mosinee Sectional final to advance to the State semifinals, and they finished first in the Bay Conference standings this spring.
THE DIVISION 3 FIELD: Top-seeded Brodhead returns to State for the first time since the Cardinals’ only other experience in 2004 when they won the championship. Their second appearance comes virtue of an 11-0 shutout over River Valley in the sectional final hosted by River Valley. The Cardinals are the champions of the Rock Valley Conference this season. Mishicot is the second seed in the bracket. The Indians are making their fifth State appearance overall. They won the Division 4 championship in their most recent appearance in 2021. The Indians also advanced to the championship in 2019 and finished runner-up. Their return to the tourney field comes following a 6-0 victory over Peshtigo in the Gillett Sectional final. The Indians finished first in the Big East Conference this season. Mayville, the third seed, returns to State for the first time in 21 years and for the fifth time overall. The Cardinals earned the Division 2 State championship in 1999 and finished runner-up in 1997. This season, they notched an 8-6 win over Lakeside Lutheran in the Campbellsport Sectional final to advance to the State semifinal. The Cardinals finished in a tie with Winnebago Lutheran for first place in the Wisconsin Flyway Conference. Fourth-seeded Somerset will be experiencing the State Tournament for the first time in program history. The Spartans placed fifth in the Middle Border Conference this spring, and they defeated Prescott 2-0 in the sectional final held in River Falls to advance to the State semifinals.
THE DIVISION 4 FIELD: Defending champion Grantsburg is the #1 seed. The Pirates qualify for the 10th time in program history and for the second straight season. They also won championships in 2006 and 2009, and they were runners-up in 2016. This season, they are the champions of the West Division of the Lakeland Conference, and they advanced to the State semifinals through the Fall Creek Sectional with a 10-inning, 3-0 win over Fall Creek in the final. Stratford, the #2 seed, qualifies for its first-ever State Tournament. The Tigers placed third in the South Division of the Marawood Conference this season, which was won by Division 5 qualifier Assumption. They defeated Blair-Taylor 4-1 in the sectional final hosted by Blair-Taylor to advance to the State semifinals for the first time. Third-seeded Waterloo is also experiencing State for the first time. The Pirates placed second in the South Division of the Capitol Conference during the regular season. They downed Cuba City 4-2 in the Mineral Point Sectional final to make their first trip to Goodman Diamond. Fourth-seeded Iola-Scandinavia will make its second State appearance after making its initial appearance last season, which resulted in a loss in the semifinals. The Thunderbirds return to the tournament field following their 3-2 win over Algoma in the Crivitz Sectional final. They placed third in the East Division of the Central Wisconsin Conference this season.
THE DIVISION 5 FIELD: Pacelli was issued the top seed in the bracket. The Cardinals make their fifth appearance in the last six tournaments, excluding the canceled season of 2020, and their 11th overall. They have won Division 4 titles in 2003 and 2015 and finished runner-up in 2017. They also won a Division 3 title in 2012 with a runner-up finish in Division 3 in 2011. Prior to joining the WIAA, the Cardinals won six consecutive titles from 1992-97 while a member of WISAA. This season, they finished first in the South Division of the Central Wisconsin Conference and advanced through the Sevastopol Sectional with a 3-0 victory over Newman Catholic in the final. Defending champion Assumption is seeded second in the bracket. The Royals make their second straight appearance and their seventh overall. They captured the Division 3 championship in their first trip in 2001 and the Division 4 title in 2005. They finished atop the South Division standings of the Marawood Conference this season. The Royals earned their return to the State semifinals with a 5-0 shutout over Seneca in the final of the New Lisbon Sectional. Third-seeded Oakfield is making its 16th State appearance overall and its second in the last three years. The Oaks have won six State championships, including the Division 5 championship in 2021, Division 4 championships in 2009, 2011, 2012 and 2014, as well as the Division 3 crown in 1997. They were also the Division 4 runners-up in 2004, 2015 and again in 2018. This season, they are the champions in the Trailways Conference. The Oaks advance to the semifinals by beating Belmont 7-5 in the final of the sectional played at Oakfield. Fourth-seeded McDonell Central makes its seventh appearance at State and its first since the 2018 season. The Macks won back-to-back Division 5 championships in 2017 and 2018, and they also won the Division 4 State title in 2008. In addition, they have finished runner-up twice, in Division 3 in their first-ever tournament experience in 2005 and again in Division 4 in 2011. This season, the Macks finished second in the Cloverbelt Conference. They rolled to an 8-0 win over Northwood/Solon Springs in the final of the Athens Sectional final to continue their quest for another title.
NEED TOURNAMENT INFORMATION?: State Tournament information, including rosters, statistics, tournament records, a listing of past team champions and all the information included in the tournament program are also available prior and during the championships on the softball tournament page or on the State Tournament Info page in the restricted area of the Media Center on the WIAA website.
ORDER STATE MEET APPAREL ONLINE: WIAA-licensed apparel is available online for the 2023 State Softball Tournament. To browse and purchase branded merchandise, visit the WIAA Store at: https://foxcitiesembroidery.chipply.com/STATESOFTBALL/. Online purchases will be shipped after the online store closes at 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, June 15.
FOLLOW THE TOURNEY ON TWITTER: Receive the updates of the State Softball Tournament on the WIAA State Tournament Twitter account @wiaawistate with the hashtag #wiaasoftball. Also like us on Facebook, and follow us on Instagram at wiaawi.
NEED RESULTS?: The quickest way to get results will be to access the softball homepage on the WIAA website at: https://www.wiaawi.org/Sports/Spring/Softball/Tournament and choose the appropriate results links.
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