By David Paulsen
SPORTS CORRESPONDENT
Going into Tuesday night’s Southern Lakes Conference games, Union Grove needed a win over Waterford, and a loss by Westosha Central to Wilmot to tie for the SLC title.
The Bronco girls got their wish as they shut out Waterford 10-0, and then learned that Wilmot had defeated Westosha 8-0.
That puts Westosha and Union Grove tied at the top of the SLC with 12-2 records, and Wilmot one-half game back at 11-2. If Wilmot defeats Lake Geneva Badger Thursday, and they are expected to do so, the three teams would share the SLC crown.
“We each beat each other once and lost to each other once,” head coach Ryan Boylen said.
The six-inning win over Waterford was “just a great all-around performance by our girls when we needed it most,” Boylen said. “We had to get a ‘W’ tonight to ensure a shot at conference and get some help and our girls did their part.”
“I can’t express enough how proud of our girls I am tonight,” Boylen added. “We had our ups and downs and we pulled things together and finished where we felt we belonged.”
The Bronco girls scored in every inning but the first, while Alice Fitzpatrick put the brakes on the Waterford offense.
Fitzpatrick scattered five hits, struck out nine Wolverines and did not walk a batter, while her teammates were collecting 17 hits. In addition, the Broncos played errorless ball.
Annie McClelland, Emily DeCheck and Alecia Faber each had three hits. Getting two hits apiece were Cassidy Kortendick, Amber Johnson, and Brooke Repta.
McClelland and DeCheck each had two RBIs.
Vs. Westosha Central
In a battle between two state-ranked teams, the Bronco girls handed Westosha Central their first Southern Lakes Conference loss May 17.
With four runs in the top of the sixth, Union Grove rallied to defeat the Falcons 4-2 at Paddock Lake.
“We weren’t flawless, but we buckled down when it counted and battled hard the entire game,” Boylen said. “Really just a great game between two very good teams.”
Westosha came into the game ranked No. 7 in Division 1, with Union Grove ranked No. 12.
With the win, the Broncos closed to within one game of the Falcons. Westosha Central is now 12-1 in the SLC, and Union Grove 11-2.
Westosha got both of its runs in the fourth off Fitzpatrick.
Fitzpatrick improved to 11-3 this season, and 8-1 in the SLC, with the win. She gave up two runs (both earned) on 10 hits and two walks, while striking out seven.
Union Grove collected 11 hits, with Fitzpatrick, McClelland and Kortendick each getting two.
Johnson, Alex Kies, Faber and Brooke Repta each had RBIs in the four-run sixth.
Both teams had two errors in the field, but none of the errors figured into the scoring.
The Bronco girls hosted Kenosha Bradford in a non-conference game Thursday to close out the regular season.
WIAA Division 1 regionals begin Tuesday, May 29. Brackets were still not available Friday afternoon. Please check back later for an update.
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