Grafton softball stops the bleeding at nine

It hasn’t been a smooth season for the young and inexperienced Grafton High School softball team, but the Black Hawks took a step forward on May 25, albeit while their fans may have been pulling out their hair.

The Hawks topped Whitefish Bay at home, 11-9, to prevent their losing streak to hit double digits.

Up, 6-3, entering the sixth inning, the Blue Dukes scored five runs to take an 8-6 edge and chase Hawk senior starting pitcher Sara Paschke.

That’s when coach Mike Bergmann told his team this was “a chance to show what we’re made of.”

The Hawks answered right back with five runs of their own to reclaim the lead, 11-8.

In the top of the seventh inning, the Blue Dukes scored one and had runners on base ready to tie the game or take the lead, but the Hawks hung on.

“It got a little treacherous there for us,” Bergmann said.

Paschke allowed eight runs (three earned), eight hits and eight walks while whiffing five in 5-2/3 innings. Dani Thompon allowed one earned run, four hits and a walk while striking out three in 1-1/3 innings.

Eight different Hawks got hits, led by leadoff hitter Paschke, who went 3-for-4 with two doubles, two RBI and one run scored.

“Sara did her thing,” Bergmann said. “She’s a clever batter, too. She can read the defense and put down a bunt.”

Anna Wheeler went 2-for-4 with two doubles, one RBI and scored a run. Reese Konczal was 2-for-4 with a double and two RBI and scored a run. Lauren Malchow was 2-for-4 with a double, a walk, an RBI and scored two runs.

Madi Johnson Hass had a double and two RBI.

Jenna Isaacson had a walk and an RBI, and the Hawks got a boost from Megan Crass, who had a hit, two walks, two RBI and scored three runs.

“She did a great job in the 9 spot,” Bergmann said.

The entire team has improved, he said.

“The younger girls are growing up quickly. The issue was never with talent. It was experience and cutting down on the little mistakes,” he said. “As they’re going through the season, they’re gaining confidence.”

The day before, Homestead exacted some revenge at home for a rain-shortened 4-2 road loss on May 3.

The Hawks took a 3-0 lead before the Highlanders’ bats got going. Some misplays by Grafton’s outfield helped the Highlanders score four runs in the third inning and five in the fourth.

Paschke allowed nine runs (six earned), 12 hits and two walks while whiffing three in four innings. Thompson allowed one unearned run on four hits while striking out three in two innings.

At the plate, Paschke went 2-for-3 with a triple, a walk, two RBI, and a run scored.

Malchow and Alicia Melotik each went 2-for-three. Avery Smith had a hit, an RBI and scored a run. Isaacson, Thompson and Kaitlin Mangan each had a hit.

A rainout last Thursday has the Hawks (3-11, overall and 2-11 in last place in the North Shore Conference), playing four games in four straight days this week. They were to host Port Washington (5-8 NSC) at Hartford (10-3) on Wednesday, at Slinger (10-3) on Thursday and at nonconference foe Martin Luther (16-3) on Friday. They host Nicolet (3-12 NSC) on Monday, June 7, and close the regular season at West Bend West (8-5) on Tuesday, June 8.

Big inning sends WB West over Port

Port lost at West Bend West, 16-7, on May 25, in part thanks to a seven-run second inning by the Spartans.

Kate Cavanaugh went 2-for-4 with three RBI, and Peyton Mueller-Stenz had a triple, an RBI and scored two runs. Ashley Zygowski was 2-for-4 and scored a run.

Zygowski took the loss, allowing six runs, five hits and two walks while whiffing nine. Cavanaugh allowed 10 runs (four earned) and six hits, walking one.

For West, Makenna Gish had two doubles and a triple, and Mia Buske and Ava Thelen each had a triple.

After Grafton on Tuesday, Port was scheduled to host first-place Cedarburg (12-1 NSC) on Wednesday, Homestead (9-6) on Thursday, play at Whitefish Bay (4-10) on Monday, June 7, and host Hartford (10-3) on Tuesday, June 8.

CG-Belgium, Ozaukee shut out twice each

Young and inexperienced Cedar Grove-Belgium lost, 16-0, to Elkhart Lake-Glenbeulah on May 24 and 12-0 at Oostburg on May 25.

The 1-8 Rockets were to play at Manitowoc Lutheran on Tuesday, host Reedsville on Thursday and St. Mary Catholic on Monday, June 7. All games start at 4:30 p.m.

Ozaukee, in its first year of varsity softball, lost, 19-0, to Oostburg on May 24 and 15-0 at Mishicot on May 25.

The 0-9 Warriors were to play at Elkhart Lake-Glenbeulah on Tuesday, host St. Mary Catholic on Thursday and Manitowoc Lutheran on Monday, June 7. All games start at 4:30 p.m.