Historic run ends for Burlington softball

By Chris Bennett

Sports Correspondent

A road game against the second-ranked squad in the state and a tough pitcher combined to bring the Burlington High School softball team’s season to an end.

The Demons lost 8-0 Tuesday to Westosha Central in a WIAA Division 1 Sectional semifinal in Salem.

“Our kids played hard all night,” Demons coach Gary Caliva said. “I’m really proud of them. They played hard. It’s tough to win at their place.”

Westosha Central is seeded No. 1 in the sectional bracket, and is the defending Division 1 state champion. Burlington held the fifth seed.

Caliva delivered a simple pre-game message.

“Have fun,” he said. “Have fun and play good softball.”

Falcons pitcher Kayla Konwent quashed Burlington’s plans.

“She’s a really good pitcher,” Caliva said. “She did a nice job. I believe we struck out 10 times.”

Tay Lewis paced the Demons’ offense with two hits.

The Falcons (23-4) held the top spot in the Wisconsin Fastpitch Softball Coaches Association Division 1 state poll for most of the season. The Demons defeated 13th-seeded Lake Geneva Badger 5-0 May 29 at home in the regional championship to advance to play Westosha Central.

Demons pitcher Danielle Koenen limited Badger (6-17) to three hits and struck out seven.

Burlington scored four runs in the fourth inning, and added another in the fifth.

Koenen finished with two hits and a RBI. Chyanne Onstad finished with two hits, two runs scored and an RBI, and Courtney Wieners finished with two hits.

Caliva said he is pleased with the Demons’ season. Burlington finished 13-10 overall and 8-6 in the SLC, good for fourth place.

“Absolutely,” he said. “We played good softball most of the year and won a regional title. We made strides over last year, and it was a great bunch of kids to play softball with.”

It was Burlington’s first regional championship since 2006.