JUDA - It's not the way Juda-Albany coach Bill Davis scripted it, but he will take the result.
Juda-Albany sophomore Alexis Goecks walked in the ninth inning with the bases loaded to force in the game-winning run as the Panthers won a nail-biting pitcher's duel 2-1 over Argyle Tuesday. With the win, Juda-Albany (17-2, 13-0 Six Rivers East) clinched an outright conference championship. The Panthers ended Monticello's two-year run as conference champions.
"It's a very big step for our program," Davis said. "Last year, we played the top teams in the conference tough. Some of our young players really stepped up this year. For a good softball team you really need 13 players who can play and we have that."
Juda-Albany freshman Nicki Becker pitched a complete game to get the win. She gave up one run in nine innings on four hits. She struck out five and walked one. Argyle sophomore Kayla Butler-Paulson was just as impressive. Paulson gave up just one earned run on nine hits and walked two.
"She (Paulson) threw a great game," Davis said. "Their defense was phenomenal. They made three or four ESPN highlight reel diving plays. You have to tip your cap to Argyle."
Belleville 16, New Glarus 2
BELLEVILLE - Ryler Helwig turned in a dazzling pitching performance to lead the Wildcats to a 16-2 five-inning win over New Glarus.
Helwig pitched a complete game to get the win. She gave up just one earned run on two hits. She struck out five and walked two.
Belleville's Allie Kowalski went 2-for-4 with a triple and Tara Hanna was 2-for-4 with a double.
Belleville's Claire Johnsrud hit a triple and Mariah Hustad hit a double.
With the win, Belleville improves to 8-9, 5-7 Capitol South.
New Glarus' Noelle Austin hit a triple.
New Glarus junior Jessica Van Dusen pitched four innings and gave up nine earned runs on 11 hits. She struck out one and walked six.
Brodhead 8, Palmyra-Eagle 0
BRODHEAD - Senior Brooke Boegli tossed a one-hit shutout to lead Brodhead to an 8-0 win over Palmyra-Eagle.
Boegli struck out three and walked four. Both Brodhead senior Payton Wright and Boegli were 2-for-4 at the plate. The Cardinals put the game away with a five-run sixth.
Brodhead will play at Palmyra-Eagle Thursday.
Barneveld 20, Pecatonica 2
BLANCHARDVILLE - The Eagles pounded out 19 hits and rolled to a 20-2 win over Pecatonica.
In the second game, Barneveld beat Pec 15-0.
Barneveld had a six-run second inning and a five-run third to take a 12-2 lead.
Barneveld's Taylor Owens went 4-for-5 with two doubles. The Vikings were plagued by six errors.
Pecatonica senior Emily Scoville pitched 2 1/3 innings and gave up 12 runs - six earned runs on 12 hits.
Teammate Clara Moen pitched 2 2/3 innings and gave up eight runs - four earned runs on seven hits. She struck out two and walked four.
Scoville went 2-for-3 in the second game of the doubleheader against the Eagles.
Juda-Albany sophomore Alexis Goecks walked in the ninth inning with the bases loaded to force in the game-winning run as the Panthers won a nail-biting pitcher's duel 2-1 over Argyle Tuesday. With the win, Juda-Albany (17-2, 13-0 Six Rivers East) clinched an outright conference championship. The Panthers ended Monticello's two-year run as conference champions.
"It's a very big step for our program," Davis said. "Last year, we played the top teams in the conference tough. Some of our young players really stepped up this year. For a good softball team you really need 13 players who can play and we have that."
Juda-Albany freshman Nicki Becker pitched a complete game to get the win. She gave up one run in nine innings on four hits. She struck out five and walked one. Argyle sophomore Kayla Butler-Paulson was just as impressive. Paulson gave up just one earned run on nine hits and walked two.
"She (Paulson) threw a great game," Davis said. "Their defense was phenomenal. They made three or four ESPN highlight reel diving plays. You have to tip your cap to Argyle."
Belleville 16, New Glarus 2
BELLEVILLE - Ryler Helwig turned in a dazzling pitching performance to lead the Wildcats to a 16-2 five-inning win over New Glarus.
Helwig pitched a complete game to get the win. She gave up just one earned run on two hits. She struck out five and walked two.
Belleville's Allie Kowalski went 2-for-4 with a triple and Tara Hanna was 2-for-4 with a double.
Belleville's Claire Johnsrud hit a triple and Mariah Hustad hit a double.
With the win, Belleville improves to 8-9, 5-7 Capitol South.
New Glarus' Noelle Austin hit a triple.
New Glarus junior Jessica Van Dusen pitched four innings and gave up nine earned runs on 11 hits. She struck out one and walked six.
Brodhead 8, Palmyra-Eagle 0
BRODHEAD - Senior Brooke Boegli tossed a one-hit shutout to lead Brodhead to an 8-0 win over Palmyra-Eagle.
Boegli struck out three and walked four. Both Brodhead senior Payton Wright and Boegli were 2-for-4 at the plate. The Cardinals put the game away with a five-run sixth.
Brodhead will play at Palmyra-Eagle Thursday.
Barneveld 20, Pecatonica 2
BLANCHARDVILLE - The Eagles pounded out 19 hits and rolled to a 20-2 win over Pecatonica.
In the second game, Barneveld beat Pec 15-0.
Barneveld had a six-run second inning and a five-run third to take a 12-2 lead.
Barneveld's Taylor Owens went 4-for-5 with two doubles. The Vikings were plagued by six errors.
Pecatonica senior Emily Scoville pitched 2 1/3 innings and gave up 12 runs - six earned runs on 12 hits.
Teammate Clara Moen pitched 2 2/3 innings and gave up eight runs - four earned runs on seven hits. She struck out two and walked four.
Scoville went 2-for-3 in the second game of the doubleheader against the Eagles.
