ARGYLE - Pecatonica softball players continued to believe in themselves and the Vikings pulled off an 8-3 upset of Argyle in a WIAA Division 4 regional quarterfinal Thursday.
Argyle collapsed on defense committing five errors in the last two innings. With the Orioles clinging to a 3-2 lead in the sixth inning, Pecatonica sophomore Michelle Francois, who went 2 for 3, delivered a game-tying RBI single off Argyle freshman pitcher Jessica Treuthardt to tie the game at 3. Pecatonica's Lizzy Britt gave the Vikings a 4-3 lead with a sacrifice fly.
The Orioles committed three errors in the sixth.
"I was so nervous up at the plate and I looked up at the coach and he told me to believe," Francois said. "I just knew if we could come together as a team we could beat these guys. Together as a team we did it."
Pecatonica (6-16) broke the game open batting around the order in a four-run seventh off Jessica Treuthardt. Hannah Swenson crushed a triple to center and senior Ellie Gifford later laced an RBI double to give the Vikings a 5-3 lead. After Emma Marion reached on an error, the Orioles intentionally walked Francois to load the bases. Junior Michala Boese then delivered a clutch two-run single to give the Vikings a 7-3 lead.
Pecatonica sophomore Cora Demler pitched a complete game and gave up just three runs on eight hits. With the win, the Vikings avenged two earlier losses to the Orioles and advance to play No. 1 seed Juda Tuesday, May 31.
"We always knew we could do it," Demler said. "There are people who did support us. We owe them so much for coming to the game and cheering. It really meant so much to us."
Demler was happy with the run support the Vikings gave her in the seventh. However, she was aware of the Orioles' comeback ability.
"We knew from experience they could come back," Demler said. "We scored four runs. We knew they could have scored five or six. We were just out there with a we got to get it done mentality."
Argyle coach Dan Treuthardt said the Orioles have had a syndrome all year where they play well with the lead and struggle when trailing.
"It seemed like when the errors started they don't go away," Dan Treuthardt said. "It was a one run game and we had a shot at it with a good part in our order coming up. We started throwing the ball around and playing like the young team we are. We have been playing better. I didn't expect this."
Pecatonica coach Chuck Meyer said it's easier being an underdog.
"I have felt we have had this potential all year," Meyer said. "We played like I think we can play. It's exciting. We have battled all year. I'm really happy for the girls."
The Vikings got on the board in the fourth. After Marion and Francois lined back-to-back singles, the Vikings had a golden scoring opportunity. Pecatonica's Allison Swenson came through crushing a two-run double to left, to give the Vikings a 2-1 lead.
The Orioles battled back in the bottom of the fourth. Argyle's Frida Cuevas singled and stole second. Danielle Treuthardt delivered a game-tying RBI single that scored Cuevas. Treuthardt scored the go-ahead run after a double steal with Kayla Ostby. Treuthardt stole third and scored when Marion's throw sailed into left giving the Orioles a 3-2 lead.
Cuevas went 2 for 3 and Danielle Treuthardt went 2 for 4 to lead the Orioles.
Argyle collapsed on defense committing five errors in the last two innings. With the Orioles clinging to a 3-2 lead in the sixth inning, Pecatonica sophomore Michelle Francois, who went 2 for 3, delivered a game-tying RBI single off Argyle freshman pitcher Jessica Treuthardt to tie the game at 3. Pecatonica's Lizzy Britt gave the Vikings a 4-3 lead with a sacrifice fly.
The Orioles committed three errors in the sixth.
"I was so nervous up at the plate and I looked up at the coach and he told me to believe," Francois said. "I just knew if we could come together as a team we could beat these guys. Together as a team we did it."
Pecatonica (6-16) broke the game open batting around the order in a four-run seventh off Jessica Treuthardt. Hannah Swenson crushed a triple to center and senior Ellie Gifford later laced an RBI double to give the Vikings a 5-3 lead. After Emma Marion reached on an error, the Orioles intentionally walked Francois to load the bases. Junior Michala Boese then delivered a clutch two-run single to give the Vikings a 7-3 lead.
Pecatonica sophomore Cora Demler pitched a complete game and gave up just three runs on eight hits. With the win, the Vikings avenged two earlier losses to the Orioles and advance to play No. 1 seed Juda Tuesday, May 31.
"We always knew we could do it," Demler said. "There are people who did support us. We owe them so much for coming to the game and cheering. It really meant so much to us."
Demler was happy with the run support the Vikings gave her in the seventh. However, she was aware of the Orioles' comeback ability.
"We knew from experience they could come back," Demler said. "We scored four runs. We knew they could have scored five or six. We were just out there with a we got to get it done mentality."
Argyle coach Dan Treuthardt said the Orioles have had a syndrome all year where they play well with the lead and struggle when trailing.
"It seemed like when the errors started they don't go away," Dan Treuthardt said. "It was a one run game and we had a shot at it with a good part in our order coming up. We started throwing the ball around and playing like the young team we are. We have been playing better. I didn't expect this."
Pecatonica coach Chuck Meyer said it's easier being an underdog.
"I have felt we have had this potential all year," Meyer said. "We played like I think we can play. It's exciting. We have battled all year. I'm really happy for the girls."
The Vikings got on the board in the fourth. After Marion and Francois lined back-to-back singles, the Vikings had a golden scoring opportunity. Pecatonica's Allison Swenson came through crushing a two-run double to left, to give the Vikings a 2-1 lead.
The Orioles battled back in the bottom of the fourth. Argyle's Frida Cuevas singled and stole second. Danielle Treuthardt delivered a game-tying RBI single that scored Cuevas. Treuthardt scored the go-ahead run after a double steal with Kayla Ostby. Treuthardt stole third and scored when Marion's throw sailed into left giving the Orioles a 3-2 lead.
Cuevas went 2 for 3 and Danielle Treuthardt went 2 for 4 to lead the Orioles.
