Witt-Birn claims CWC-East title outright

Chargers top Iola-Scandinavia on senior night
By: 
Morgan Rode
Sports Editor

The Wittenberg-Birnamwood High School softball team capped a memorable regular season with a 9-5 win over Iola-Scandinavia on June 9 in Wittenberg to help the team claim the Central Wisconsin Conference-East Division title outright.

Witt-Birn’s season got off to a rocky start, opening CWC-East play with a 6-1 loss to Shiocton, but the team turned things around in a hurry. The Chargers won their final 14 games, with the win over Iola-Scandinavia upping the team’s record to 11-1 in conference play and 14-1 overall.

The conference-clinching win was especially meaningful for the team’s seven seniors, as the contest also marked the team’s senior night.

“I am so thankful to have such a great conference season with my fellow seniors who have led the team in various ways,” said senior McKenna Foster. “We all bring something special to the team and make a difference. It was also cool to win conference on senior night.”

“Nobody thought that Wittenberg would win a conference championship for softball,” said senior Emma Herb. “We proved them wrong and worked together to show how good we can really be.”

Witt-Birn fell behind early against Iola-Scandinavia, with an error helping the visitors take a 1-0 lead in the first inning. Much like their season as a whole though, the Chargers continued to battle.

Witt-Birn surged ahead in the third inning, when nine batters came to the plate.

Foster walked to start the inning before moving to second on a bunt single from Herb.

Senior Abi Fraaza came through with a single to plate Foster, with Fraaza and Herb ending up on second and third, respectively.

With one out in the frame, senior Jasmin Duranceau delivered a single to score Herb and move Fraaza to third. Kaylee Schram then capped the inning with a single to score Fraaza.

The cushion gave Duranceau, the Chargers’ pitcher, some cushion, and she used it to her advantage. After the run in the first, Duranceau posted four straight scoreless half-innings.

In the bottom of the fifth, Witt-Birn tacked on six insurance runs.

Kiara Deruchowski singled in senior McKenna Metropulos to start the scoring in the frame. Halle Beversdorf followed with a single to score courtesy runner Emily Niles.

Foster then delivered a two-RBI single that allowed Deruchowski and senior Amara Schoepke to score. A sacrifice flyout from Herb plated Foster for the final run in the inning.

The insurance runs proved to be big, as Iola-Scandinavia answered with three runs in the sixth.

The visitors added another run in the seventh, with another error helping their cause. Duranceau ended the rally by striking out a batter and then inducing a popup with the bases loaded.

Duranceau ended up striking out three batters over her seven innings. She allowed eight hits and didn’t walk a batter.

“Our pitcher, Jasmin Duranceau, knew she would be our number one pitcher last softball season. Even though our season was cancelled, Jasmin continued to practice throughout summer and two times per week during her senior year. Her work ethic helped gain the confidence from her teammates at the beginning of this season,” said Charity Fraaza, who noted most of the players have been together since 12-and-under ball.

“The girls not only wanted to play but they had a strong mindset to win. They focused on working hard to improve their skills and mental toughness. What is really special about these girls is that there is not just one or two girls who get the job (done). During every game, a different player steps up with a big hit or defensive play to help us win the game. They have built a stronger level of trust and confidence for each other with each passing game.”

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