JUDA - The Juda-Albany softball team will roll into the WIAA Division 4 state tournament looking to bring home the program's first gold ball for a state championship.
Juda (25-2), ranked second in the Division 4 Wisconsin Fastpitch Softball Coaches Association state poll, will play Phillips (21-1) in a WIAA Division 4 state semifinal at 9 p.m. Thursday at Goodman Diamond in Madison.
Juda-Albany senior Sara Jordan welcomes the challenge. Jordan leads the team with a .513 average and 36 RBI.
"I think it's less pressure," Jordan said of being ranked No. 2. "It shows that we are kind of the top dogs and we are ready to play anybody. It's exciting to know we are one of the state's top teams. I don't think it gives us a big head, but a lot of confidence going into it.
"It's definitely bittersweet," Jordan said. "That is why we want to win those two games."
Juda-Albany senior Alexis Goecks is excited to have the second chance to play in a state tournament in her prep career. She said she is honored and looking forward to representing the community.
"It's pretty epic to make it to state again in my high school career," Goecks said. "It's pretty unheard of for Juda."
The other top hitters for the Panthers are Goecks (.495) with 30 RBI and a team-best 37 runs scored, junior Nicki Becker (.492) with 34 RBI and senior Sayde McDermott (.403) with 27 RBI.
Phillips, the Marawood North Conference champions, is making its first appearance in the state tournament.
"When you get to this point in the season you figure they will all be good teams and have some great hitters," Juda-Albany coach Bill Davis said. "I will have to do a good job of reading hitters and calling pitches. If we go out and hit the ball and make them move around, I like our chances. The kids have had a purpose all season and to reach one of our major goals (state) is quite an accomplishment."
The Panthers enter the state tournament with one of the most dominant pitchers. Becker has posted a 23-1 record with a 0.78 ERA and 176 strikeouts.
"Nicki will always keep us in the game," Juda-Albany coach Bill Davis said. "I like our chances with her on the mound. I'm sure she will be spot-on Thursday because that is how she is under pressure."
In Juda-Albany's first trip to state in 2015, Becker was just a freshman.
"We won't be so overwhelmed," Becker said of this year's state tournament. "It's a great team accomplishment. It's exciting and we have worked hard for it."
Becker said she has learned to control her nerves better since her freshman year in 2015 when she started the game in the state semifinal against Oakfield in the Panthers' 6-4 loss.
"I've just got older and stronger," Becker said.
Becker said her rise ball is a lot better this year than two years ago.
"I've got stronger and been able to throw it harder and get it to move more," she said.
Becker credits junior catcher Sammi Detra for stepping into a starting role and making a smooth transition.
"I think she does anything I ask her to," Becker said. "She's stepped up big time. I'm glad we have her. I don't know what we would do without her."
Becker relies on Detra for her defensive work, blocking pitches that get away in the dirt or that are high. She said she depends on Detra to help her calm down when she gets into jams.
"She's a good athlete," Becker said. "She brings a lot to our program."
McDermott is looking forward to the state semifinal game on Thursday.
"I don't think it has even clicked for me yet that we are going back to state," McDermott said. "I'm more pumped for the experience with these girls since we have worked so hard for it."
Juda (25-2), ranked second in the Division 4 Wisconsin Fastpitch Softball Coaches Association state poll, will play Phillips (21-1) in a WIAA Division 4 state semifinal at 9 p.m. Thursday at Goodman Diamond in Madison.
Juda-Albany senior Sara Jordan welcomes the challenge. Jordan leads the team with a .513 average and 36 RBI.
"I think it's less pressure," Jordan said of being ranked No. 2. "It shows that we are kind of the top dogs and we are ready to play anybody. It's exciting to know we are one of the state's top teams. I don't think it gives us a big head, but a lot of confidence going into it.
"It's definitely bittersweet," Jordan said. "That is why we want to win those two games."
Juda-Albany senior Alexis Goecks is excited to have the second chance to play in a state tournament in her prep career. She said she is honored and looking forward to representing the community.
"It's pretty epic to make it to state again in my high school career," Goecks said. "It's pretty unheard of for Juda."
The other top hitters for the Panthers are Goecks (.495) with 30 RBI and a team-best 37 runs scored, junior Nicki Becker (.492) with 34 RBI and senior Sayde McDermott (.403) with 27 RBI.
Phillips, the Marawood North Conference champions, is making its first appearance in the state tournament.
"When you get to this point in the season you figure they will all be good teams and have some great hitters," Juda-Albany coach Bill Davis said. "I will have to do a good job of reading hitters and calling pitches. If we go out and hit the ball and make them move around, I like our chances. The kids have had a purpose all season and to reach one of our major goals (state) is quite an accomplishment."
The Panthers enter the state tournament with one of the most dominant pitchers. Becker has posted a 23-1 record with a 0.78 ERA and 176 strikeouts.
"Nicki will always keep us in the game," Juda-Albany coach Bill Davis said. "I like our chances with her on the mound. I'm sure she will be spot-on Thursday because that is how she is under pressure."
In Juda-Albany's first trip to state in 2015, Becker was just a freshman.
"We won't be so overwhelmed," Becker said of this year's state tournament. "It's a great team accomplishment. It's exciting and we have worked hard for it."
Becker said she has learned to control her nerves better since her freshman year in 2015 when she started the game in the state semifinal against Oakfield in the Panthers' 6-4 loss.
"I've just got older and stronger," Becker said.
Becker said her rise ball is a lot better this year than two years ago.
"I've got stronger and been able to throw it harder and get it to move more," she said.
Becker credits junior catcher Sammi Detra for stepping into a starting role and making a smooth transition.
"I think she does anything I ask her to," Becker said. "She's stepped up big time. I'm glad we have her. I don't know what we would do without her."
Becker relies on Detra for her defensive work, blocking pitches that get away in the dirt or that are high. She said she depends on Detra to help her calm down when she gets into jams.
"She's a good athlete," Becker said. "She brings a lot to our program."
McDermott is looking forward to the state semifinal game on Thursday.
"I don't think it has even clicked for me yet that we are going back to state," McDermott said. "I'm more pumped for the experience with these girls since we have worked so hard for it."
