JEFFERSON -- Kooper Killmon's solo shot in the fourth created a sense of urgency for the Eagles.
Jefferson matched Lakeside's fourth-inning run, then put up a five-spot in the fifth to charge toward coveted playoff hardware.
Junior pitchers Aeryn Messmann and Ashlyn Enke combined for 16 strikeouts as the top-seeded Jefferson softball team beat fourth-seeded Lakeside Lutheran 6-1 in a Division 2 regional final at Riverfront Park on Thursday.
"Winning a regional title is definitely really exciting after last year when we had a rough, sad end to our season," lead off hitter and center fielder Hildie Dempsey said. "We came together as a team and really played well today.
"Last year's home regional semifinal loss to Wilmot definitely fueled the way we played this season. It made us realize we have to play pitch by pitch. If there's one pitch left in the game, there's still a chance. Playing each pitch with intent is really important."
Killmon lined an 0-2 offering from Messmann over the fence in left field to open the Warriors' fourth.
The Eagles countered by loading the bases with no outs in the home half of the fourth. Lily Fairfield drew a five-pitch walk before Bre Mengel popped up a bunt but found a soft spot on the right side of the infield for a hit. Enke then bunted toward third and reached without a throw to first base.
With one away, Allie Hesse lined out to center, with Fairfield tagging up and sprinting home to make it 1-all. Mengel was doubled off trying to reach third on the play to end the threat.
The Eagles (22-6) quickly threatened again in the fifth. Hannah Werning led off the frame by squirting a single into right field, followed by a pop fly off Kirsten Woychik's bat falling in shallow left field as two Warriors converged but could not make the play. Chloe Smith ripped a single that ricocheted off the third baseman's glove to load the bases.
Dempsey sliced a single just inside the left-field line to plate Werning for the go-ahead run. With one away, Mengel sent a high 1-2 offering on the outside of the plate into right field to score two insurance runs. An errant pickoff throw to third base went into left, allowing Dempsey to come across for the final margin.
"We just started to see more pitches and be more patient in our at bats," Dempsey said of what fueled the offense in the middle innings.
Messmann started and struck out nine with no walks in four innings. She allowed a run on five hits. Enke pitched the final three frames and was virtually untouchable to earn the decision. She struck out seven and walked none, allowing a lone base runner on a dropped third strike with two outs in the fifth.
"We have a lot of confidence in both Aeryn and Ashlyn," Jefferson softball coach Jeff Agnew said. "Both girls pitched amazingly. It was a good time to switch pitchers before they came through the order for a third time.
"Ashlyn was on again and she's hard to hit when she's on like that. That ball is moving and it has a lot of zip. It's not the first time we've gone 1-2 with those two pitchers, who make a good combo."
Starter Kieghtan Rank allowed three runs (one earned) on nine hits in six frames in the loss for Lakeside (12-8), which entered the game having won 10 of its last 12 including four versus ranked foes.
"Kieghtan threw well and we worked out of a jam in the fourth to keep it tied, but they came right back again in the fifth," Lakeside softball coach Matt Doering said. "I give Jefferson tons of credit. They pitch really well, play really good defense and hit the ball too. They won the game in the second half.
"I'm super proud of the growth and improvement that I saw in this team. I couldn't be prouder of them. We will miss our four seniors in Kieghtan, Abby Meis, Lora Kasper and Caitlin Lloyd."
Jefferson advances to face second-seeded Lake Mills (21-4), which beat third-seeded Monroe 5-1, in a sectional semifinal on Tuesday at 5 p.m. to be played at Riverfront Park.
"Taking it pitch by pitch and really playing as a team will be key for us," Dempsey said. "We want to make the opposing pitcher work, go deep in counts and continue to push runs across."
JEFFERSON 6, LAKESIDE 1
Lakeside 000 100 0 -- 1 5 1
Jefferson 000 150 x -- 6 9 0
Leading hitters -- LL: Killmon (HR), Ke. Rank (2B); J: Messmann 2x3 (2B), Mengel 2x3, Dempsey 2x3.
Pitching (ip-h-r-er-bb-so) -- LL: Ki. Rank L; 6-9-6-3-1-3; J: Messmann 4-5-1-1-0-9, Enke W; 3-0-0-0-0-7.
Most Popular
Comments / 0