DARLINGTON — Despite a 10-6 loss to Southwestern on Monday, May 1, Darlington had plenty of reason to celebrate, as the community raised $1,298.22 for Autism Society of South Central Wisconsin in its sixth annual Autism Awareness game.
Darlington’s first Autism Awareness game, organized by then-head coach Karen Bennett, was in 2017. In the fall of 2016, her grandson received an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) diagnosis. In the games since then, the team and community has raised nearly $18,000.
This year, donations were collected through baked goods sale, bracelet sales and a Miracle Minute. Families and businesses also donated 15 baskets for a silent auction.
“It’s a wonderful tradition,” now-head coach Molly Rice said. “The businesses here — no matter if it is school or sports — have always been so supportive. The school district and the sports don’t run without them, so its greatly appreciated to see them show up like that.”
The Redbirds did all they could to win and have another reason to celebrate, but their rally fell short.
Darlington overcame a 3-0 deficit in the first two innings, scoring four runs in the fourth. Maddy Corely led off the inning with a single to center and took second on an error. Cayla Golackson followed with a single, moving Corley 60 feet from home.
Lylah Norgard reached on a fielder’s choice, as the defense attempted to get Corley out at home, but the throw was errant. Sydney Wiegel then brought Golackson home on a grounder to second. Ella Winslow’s RBI groundout tied the game at three, and Ashlynn Norgard scampered home on a passed ball to take the lead.
The Wildcats regained the lead with three runs in the top of the fifth, but the Redbirds responded once again in the bottom half of the frame.
Sophie Wiegel and Corley lined back-to-back singles. Lylah Norgard then lined a two-out two-RBI single up the middle to tie the game at six.
“The girls battled. Offensively, I was impressed,” Rice said. “Their at-bats were strong — they put the ball in play and made the other team make plays. We’ve been struggling to do that and score runs, so I was very proud of their perseverance at-bat.”
Errors plagued Darlington in the sixth and seventh innings, though, as Southwestern scored twice in the final two innings.
“We knew we had some errors, but we had to keep battling through it,” third baseman Kylie Butler said.
Butler attempted to spark her team in the bottom of the seventh, as she led off the inning with a single that blooped over the shortstop’s head. She then took second on a delayed steal — her second of the game.
“I wanted to get us more motivated to score,” Butler said. “I wanted us to battle.”
Rice appreciates Butler’s speed and softball IQ, as it creates scoring opportunities for her team.
“She [Butler] quite fast, but she’s also really smart,” Rice said. “She’s played enough ball that she can reach pitchers and catchers. If they are looking one way, she is going. She’s very intelligent on the bases, which I love. It creates some problems and gets herself into scoring position.”
This time, though, Butler was unable to score, as the next two batters grounded out to end the game.
Butler and Corley led the offense with two hits each. Butler finished the night with three stolen bases. On the mound, Sophie Wiegel suffered the loss. She pitched all seven innings, giving up just three earned runs, as Darlington committed six errors.
I-G 10-run rules Darlington
LIVINGSTON — After a competitive game on Monday, Darlington fell to Iowa-Grant 13-3 on Tuesday, May 2. The Panthers scored nine runs in the second to secure the win.
The Redbirds tallied four hits — one each from Sophie Wiegel, Lylah Norgard, Ashlynn Norgard and Winslow. Sophie Wiegel suffered the loss. She pitched 1 1/3 innings and gave up six earned runs on three hits. Sydney Wiegel and Butler came in relief.
