JEFFERSON — For the first four innings of their WIAA Division 2 sectional semifinal on Wednesday, June 4, the Brodhead Cardinals went toe-to-toe with the Jefferson Eagles, the No. 1 seed and No. 2 ranked team in the final Wisconsin Fastpitch Softball Coaches Association poll. Brodhead senior Ava Risum and Jefferson senior Ashlyn Enke, a Northern Iowa recruit, were locked in a pitcher’s duel with the score tied 1-1 between the Rock Valley Conference rivals. 

But, the roof caved in on the Cardinals (No. 3 seed) as Jefferson scored six runs in the bottom of the fifth inning and capitalized on three Brodhead errors to came away with a 7-1 win, denying the Cardinals a chance to return to the state tournament. The Cardinals ended their season with a win-loss record of 19-5 and ranked No. 7 in the final coaches poll for Division 2.

First baseman Tatum Ceslok’s base hit in the first inning scored Risum with the only run of the game for the Cardinals. The rest of the way, Brodhead batters struck out 15 times against Enke and reliever Hildie Dempsey. Risum got two of the Cardinals’ three hits plus a walk. Along with Risum and Ceslok, 3B Leah Rear was the only other base runner for the Cardinals with a walk. 

First-year head coach Chad Risum will see his daughter Ava graduate along with seniors Tatum Ceslok, and Kylee Wahler. Ava Risum has signed to play at Division 1 Lindenwood University in St. Charles, Missouri.