By Mike Ramczyk
Sports Editor
Playing in the loaded Southern Lakes Conference can be both a gift and a curse for the Burlington softball team.
Sure, throughout the year you must play state-ranked powers like Westosha Central, Union Grove, Wilmot and Delavan two times each.
But when the WIAA postseason comes around, the rigors of that tough schedule turn into friendly rewards.
On Wednesday, Burlington (14-10), a No. 6 seed despite a 5-9 conference mark, will host 11th-seeded Oregon (4-13). The winner faces No. 3 Janesville Craig (16-6), which finished third in the Big Eight Conference behind Verona and Middleton. Neither Verona nor Middleton are ranked in the top 10 in Division 1, however.
The state’s No. 1 team, Westosha Central, is the No. 1 seed in Burlington’s regional, and Union Grove is No. 2.
12th-seeded Waterford (4-14) travels to No. 5 Mukwonago (15-8) Wednesday at 4:30 p.m.
Burlington has won three of its last five games, but both the losses were to Westosha and Union Grove.
In Division 4 action, No. 1 seed Catholic Central (20-5) hosts the winner of Heritage Christian and Faith Christian, Wednesday at 4:30 at Congress Field in Burlington.
Follow Mike Ramczyk on Twitter for LIVE UPDATES of Wednesday’s Burlington-Oregon game, and look for photos on Facebook at Standard Press Sports.
Lady Demons edge rival in dramatic fashion
The Burlington softball team came up big in the clutch May 19 in Waterford.
Tied 3-3 through five innings, the Lady Demons scored two in the sixth and one in extra innings to claim a 6-5 thriller over the host Wolverines, Burlington’s closest rival.
Junior Tay Lewis, who reach first base in the eighth inning, moved to third on a Randee Jackson groundout. The throw came to third to try to cut down the winning run, but it got past the Waterford third baseman.
Lewis trotted home for the go-ahead score.
Jackson, who earned a rare start on the mound in place of ace Danielle Koenen, shut down Waterford in the bottom of the eighth to preserve the win.
Burlington improved to 13-9 overall and 5-8 in the SLC.
“It was an amazing win,” said senior Lauren Hockman. “We played as a team offensively and defensively. Everybody played well.”
Lewis led the way with two hits and two RBIs.
Kira Allen, Reba Thomsen and Hockman each added two hits. Hockman added an RBI.
Things don’t get any easier for the Demons this week, as they host the state’s top-ranked team, Westosha Central, Thursday at 4:30 p.m.
Central defeated Burlington, 3-0, in Salem earlier in the season.
Chy Onstad, Burlington’s starting third baseman, is now a key contributor for the Falcons after transferring in the fall.
Union Grove 9, Burlington 2
The Union Grove softball team, ranked No. 3 in the state in Division 1, is no fluke.
The Lady Broncos proved that to Burlington Monday at home.
Union Grove (16-5) scored in the first four innings, and Brittany Moore fanned 16 Lady Demons in a drubbing of the Demons.
At 11-2 in the Southern Lakes Conference, the Broncos gained a game on Westosha Central, who dropped to 12-1 with a 2-1 loss to Delavan-Darien Tuesday.
Burlington’s Danielle Koenen took the loss, and the Demons are now 12-9 overall but 4-8 in the SLC.
Burlington was down, 6-0, before a Talyn Lewis two-run home run cut the lead to 6-2 in the sixth.
However, the Grove answered with two runs in the bottom of the sixth.
Burlington traveled to rival Waterford Tuesday. Results were unavailable at press time.
Burlington 4, Kenosha Bradford 3
The Lady Demons picked up a quality win at home over the strong Red Devils last Friday night.
Bradford jumped out to a 3-2 lead through three innings, but Burlington came back with single tallies in both the fourth and sixth innings.
In the sixth, Kira Allen lined a single between third base and shortstop for the game-winning, RBI hit.
Lewis led the Demons with two hits in the game, and Randee Jackson was 1-for-3 with two RBIs.
Koenen struck out four and walked one in the complete-game victory.
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