Seneca softball season ends at state
A difficult matchup against top-seeded Oakfield in Wisconsin state semifinal softball action ended the Seneca Indians’ softball season, 10-0, just one game shy of the championship. However, the loss didn’t take away the Ridge and Valley Conference champions successful season as a whole.
Fourth-seeded Seneca ended its season with a 17-6 overall record (12-2 conference), after the five-inning loss June 28 at the WIAA State Tournament at UW-Green Bay. Oakfield scored two runs in the bottom of the first inning and eight runs in the second and held Seneca scoreless throughout. The Oaks had nine hits and only one error in the win, and they later defeated Hurley in the title contest, 8-4.
In the semifinal, Aubrey Wallin was one for two at the plate, contributing Seneca’s only hit of the day. It was the team’s six errors that seemed to be their shortcoming. Toeing the rubber, Philomena Hall pitched four innings, giving up nine hits, fanning one and issuing three walks. Hall did not give up any earned runs.
Though the final game was disappointing, getting to state was a rewarding journey for the girls.
They arrived there after overcoming Independence-Gilmanton, 3-2, in the Division 5 sectional finals, June 23, at Bangor.
Despite trailing early in that contest, Bridget Hagensick scored the game-winning run from second base when teammate Aubrey Wallin singled to right field. Both Seneca and I-G were tied for second in the state D5 rankings entering the playoff.
Seneca made it to the sectional finals with a 9-6 victory over conference foe and co-champion De Soto, June 21.
The team’s scoring average for the state tournament was 6.6 runs per game, according to MaxPreps. That included previous wins over Wonewoc-Center (6-5) and Kickapoo (15-5).