Senior Riddik Bohm delivered a game-winning RBI single in the sixth inning to lift the Bonduel High School baseball team over Wittenberg-Birnamwood in Central Wisconsin Conference-East Division play in Wittenberg on Thursday.

“I was a bit nervous, but I was just trying to get the ball in play any way I could. I was able to put it in play and that was the game,” said Riddik Bohm on the at-bat.

Riddik Bohm’s single scored senior Parker Bohm from third. Witt-Birn avoided further damage when center fielder Michael Gibson threw out a potential second run at home plate.

The Chargers were unable to put a baserunner on against Bears starting pitcher Isaac Boldt, a junior, in the sixth, or junior closer Noah Beilfuss in the seventh.

Boldt earned the win after allowing just two fifth inning runs. He struck out six batters while allowing just one walk and six hits.

“He’s (Boldt) really focused in on pitching this year,” said Bonduel coach Donnie Gruenewald. “Overall, he’s really locked in, knows where he wants to throw it, hits the spot nine times out of 10. He’s very pinpoint with his accuracy and (catcher) Garrett’s (Engel) calling good games.”

Beilfuss needed less than 10 pitches to seal the victory.

Beilfuss gave the Bears (5-1) a 2-0 lead in the first inning after delivering a two-RBI single. Junior Cole Letter and Parker Bohm scored on the play.

“Cole started off with a nice hit and Parker right off the bat too. So when there was a passed ball to get them in scoring position, I knew I had to get them in because we knew this team (Witt-Birn) was going to be tough and we needed to get out early and send a message,” Beilfuss said. “Get out there and say, ‘We want this game just as much as they do.’ I knew I needed to get a hit in that position.”

Wittenberg-Birnamwood (5-4) starter Shane Herb, a senior, did a good job of limiting the damage in the opening inning. After allowing three straight hits to open the inning, he got the next three batters out.

Herb went on to pitch all seven innings, striking out two batters while not allowing a walk. Herb didn’t allow another baserunner until the sixth.

Witt-Birn finally got to Boldt in the fifth inning, putting together a two-out rally to tie the game at two.

Sophomores Austin Worzalla and Bryce Zoromski each singled to set up RBI singles from No. 3 hitter Kody Szews and No. 4 hitter Gibson, both seniors.

“We just told the guys that they could play with anybody,” said Witt-Birn coach Dan Kapitz. “But baseball is a game where if you start giving teams extra at-bats, bad things can happen. This game should show them and build some confidence that they can play with just about anybody.”

The game came just a couple days after Bonduel earned an 11-1 win over Witt-Birn.

“Anything can happen in baseball — you can never think about the last game, you just have to always look forward and go into every game having confidence in everyone and go in with a winning mentality,” said Gibson on what allowed the team to put forth a better effort against Bonduel Thursday.

Walks and aggressive baserunning helped the Bonduel High School softball team rally from an early deficit and earn a 10-6 Central Wisconsin Conference-East Division win in nine innings over Wittenberg-Birnamwood in Wittenberg on Thursday.

Bonduel didn’t record a hit, but drew four walks to score four times in the ninth inning. Senior Allison Renner, sophomore Joanie Wudtke and juniors Taylor Luepke and Olivia Lorbiecki all crossed home plate in the ninth.

“We just talked to them (the team) and said, ‘build on it. Build on this win and keep moving forward,’” said Bonduel coach Chris Reinke. “We had the one W up north but needed something in conference because we were the only ones without a (CWC-East) win. I think this will help us build up confidence for the next conference games next week.”

“We just have to make sure the girls are mentally prepared at all times of the game — think before the pitch, what you’re going to do with the ball. We had some mental breakdowns and missed some routine plays that took us out of that (ninth) inning,” said Witt-Birn coach Charity Fraaza.

Bonduel freshman Claire Gehm capped her strong game in the circle by retiring the Chargers in order in the bottom of the ninth.

She pitched all nine innings, striking out six batters.

“I think that my teammates out there really helped me. They encouraged me to really dig deep and know that I can do it,” Gehm said. “The awesome plays they made really helped me.”

After senior MacKenzie Moore scored to give Bonduel (2-7) the lead in the first, Witt-Birn (4-4) responded with two runs in its half of the inning.

Sophomore McKenna Metropulos led the inning off with a double before scoring on a passed ball with one out. Sophomore Abi Fraaza, who walked with one out, scored on a groundout by sophomore Emma Herb.

The Chargers added to their lead in the third, scoring twice.

Fraaza singled before Herb walked. After a double steal, junior Megan Konkol delivered a two-RBI single to put the hosts up 4-1.

Bonduel stormed back in front with a four-run sixth.

Gehm scored on an error for the first run before Wudtke singled in senior McKenzie Wollenberg. Renner then scored on a passed ball before Luepke singled in Wudtke.

The Bears tacked on a run in the seventh when Renner drove in Gehm on a single.

Trailing 6-4 entering the seventh, Fraaza and Herb led the Witt-Birn comeback charge. Fraaza opened the inning with a double before Herb singled. Each player scored to knot the game at six.

“The game against Bonduel was a hard loss to us that will leave us working 10 times harder everyday at practice,” Metropulos said. “Our bats started going early in the game but then fell short right when we needed them. Along with our bats falling short, our team as a whole just made too many errors that can only be fixed in practice.”

Sophomore Jasmin Duranceau took the loss in the circle for the Chargers after pitching the final two innings. Senior Destiny Bagley worked the first seven innings, allowing five earned runs on 10 hits and four walks.

A stout field of cars met a hearty crowd of fans for opening night of the 2019 season on Saturday.

Defending Late Model track champion Brett Swedberg was joined in victory lane by Benji LaCrosse (IMCA Modified), Jeremy Christians (IMCA Stock Car), Jordan Bartz (IMCA Sport Mod), and Shaun Bangart (Mighty Four) as the five drivers kicked of their seasons with a win.

Swedberg shot into the lead at the start of the Late Model feature. Justin Schmidt caught Swedberg on lap two and quickly began to apply pressure. Swedberg then began to distance himself from Schmidt as Justin Ritchie worked his way to third on the track.

On lap 11, Ritchie worked past Schmidt for second. As the two drivers battled side-by-side for second, Swedberg tried to run away and hide.

On lap 15, Schmidt moved back to second and began to reel in Swedberg. On the final lap, Schmidt ran right on Swedberg’s back bumper. Swedberg held on for the win though as Schmidt, Ritchie, Ron Berna and Jared Siefert rounded out the top five.

LaCrosse drew the pole of the IMCA Modified feature and proved once again why he is one of the best in the nation. LaCrosse led every lap of the feature event en route to victory.

Marcus Yarie, Wyatt Block and Mike Mullen applied early pressure, but to no avail. Late in the race, Eddie Muenster stormed past Mullen to move into the second position. Mullen, Yarie and Andy Kleczka completed the top five.

Christians started on the pole and took the lead on the opening lap of the IMCA Stock Car feature. Travis VanStraten and Aaron Karcz quickly gave chase to Christians.

On lap three, Aaron Karcz pulled to the inside of Christians in the battle for the lead. On lap four, Karcz used the inside lane in turn two to take the lead from Christians.

A restart with two laps remaining would change the complexion of the race. Karcz was caught in the middle of a three-wide battle with Christians and VanStraten as the race returned to green. Christians and VanStraten each snuck past Karcz. Christians held on for the win followed by VanStraten, Karcz, Gary Kasperek and Tyler Wendt.

Cole Magnin led the first two laps of the IMCA Sport Mod feature before losing the handle of his car and bringing out the caution flag. Magnin would have to restart at the tail of the field.

Teagan Wudstrack and Bartz swapped the lead back-and-forth multiple times over the next two laps before Bartz ultimately established herself in the point position. Bartz would lead the rest of the way for the victory.

Bryce Clements raced his way to second, while Magnin battled back from the tail of the field to finish the race in third. Wudstrack and Kevin Bethke completed the top five.

In Mighty Four action, Bangart took the lead on lap one as Brad Wedde applied pressure in second. Jason Stueck soon crashed the party at the front of the field.

Bangart would hold off Wedde and Stueck for the win. Stueck and Wedde finished second and third, respectively, followed by T.J. Everard and Michael Brehmer.

Racing continues this coming Saturday night with a tribute to Gary Effenberger, the father of longtime flagman Josh Effenberger and a big-time race supporter. Racing will begin at 6 p.m. More information can be found online at www.shawanocountyfair.net.

The Wittenberg-Birnamwood High School boys golf team finished second in the second Central Wisconsin Conference meet of the spring behind a pair of top-five individual finishes.

Witt-Birn’s Justin Keeney fired an 18-hole round of 86, while Ian Resch shot a 90 at Glacier Woods Golf Club in Iola on Monday. Keeney took third as an individual, while Resch was fourth.

Calvin Scheurer tallied a 98 for the Chargers, while Logan Balliett (102) and Maverick Beran (108) rounded out the five-golfer team.

Bonduel’s Carter Siolka finished with a score of 91, placing fifth as an individual. The Bears posted a score of 435 to take fifth as a team.

Aaron Schaal shot a 103, while Colin Hanus finished with a 114. Rhett Hertzfeldt (127) and Cooper Uelman (131) rounded out the team.

Marion finished with a team score of 488 to place eighth.

Myles Peterson shot a 115 to lead the team, while McGregor Matz and Cody Clegg each shot 123s. Mollie Schoen (127) and Ellen Radies (131) capped the team.

The Menominee Indian/Gresham co-op finished ninth with a score of 506.

Josh Hoffman led the way for the co-op with a 103. Saswaen Shawanokasic shot a 126, while Johnny Kerry fired a 133. Antonio Perez (144) and Gregory Turney (153) rounded out the team.

Team scores: 1. Pacelli 361; 2. Wittenberg-Birnamwood 376; 3. Amherst 420; 4. Manawa 422; 5. Bonduel 435; 6. Shiocton 463; 7. Iola-Scandinavia 475; 8. Marion 488; 9. Menominee Indian/Gresham 506; 10. Weyauwega-Fremont 510.

In what feels like the continuation of a wild winter sports season to many, local high schools continue to adjust their spring sports schedules to accommodate the uncooperative weather.

The snow that seemingly never stopped falling this winter left many thinking spring sports seasons might get a late start, but most teams only missed the first week or so of action. Just when all the snow had nearly melted, a mid-April snowstorm postponed the season by another week.

With that round of snow now faded away, the adverse weather appears to be back. A dreary, misty Monday forced almost every sporting event in the area to be postponed or cancelled. The weather the next week or so does not look much better.

One might say there’s still plenty of time left to get in events, especially conference ones, but local athletic directors say otherwise.

“We are at a point now that additional weather postponements may not be able to be made up,” said Joel Wondra, Shawano’s athletic director. “There just aren’t many options available anymore. Cancelled nonconference baseball and softball games won’t be made up. If conference games are postponed, it’s likely nonconference games will need to be cancelled to make days available to reschedule those games.”

Chuck Raasch and Chris Nier, the athletic directors for Menominee Indian and Wittenberg-Birnamwood, respectively, noted that softball and baseball junior varsity games are being cut from the schedule to give the varsity squads as many days during the week as possible to get games in.

Despite an unbalanced schedule that bars teams from getting into any sort of rhythm, ADs say coaches and players are taking things in stride.

“Coaches understand that we don’t control the weather, so they’re rolling with it,” said Raasch. “Kids get frustrated easier, but they are still showing up and working hard at practice.”

“No one has complained,” said Nier, in reference to the school’s spring coaches. “They know this is how the spring season goes and just want to play.”

While coaches have kept their teams locked in as best they can, most would probably tell you that the wacky schedule is frustrating.

The dwindling school year means spring postseason play is on its way. Temperatures in the low 40s and 50s feel like early season weather, when in reality, regional games are right around the corner.

Softball teams have about two more weeks to get games in, as regionals open May 16.

Coaches are forced to make a decision when it comes to throwing their top arms, as many teams usually only have one or two girls that pitch.

“We still have four games scheduled this week and next week we are scheduled for eight games,” said Chris Reinke, Bonduel’s head softball coach, on Monday. “Eight games in a week is physically exhausting for all involved — players and coaches. Pitching becomes a huge concern, as that is an exorbitant number of innings for them.

“Then we are scheduled for the following Monday and Tuesday, with regionals starting Thursday. Last year, I felt so many games in a row late in the season really hurt us in our regional game. My pitcher had thrown 14 innings on Saturday, and I tried to have her go on Tuesday and she just didn’t have the zip she normally would have.”

Baseball coaches face an even more difficult obstacle as there is a pitch count limit to worry about.

Teams with limited pitching options are forced to not only try and predict which games they will play, but also the games in which they want their better pitchers to throwing. Teams with several solid pitching options are likely to be the ones with the better records.

Baseball regionals start a week after softball, May 23.

Track and field regionals are scheduled for May 20, with sectionals May 23.

Shawano coach Dave Hanssen prefers his team compete in one meet a week, but that the Hawks are typically in at least two a week now.

He said runners are not as affected as the field event athletes are when a lack of outdoor meets are held.

Competing in the cool and wet weather increases the chance of injury for any athlete. A drastic change in the weather, even it means sunny skies and warmer temperatures — which is most likely during the postseason — can have a negative affect on an athlete’s performance, too.

“The worst is at sectionals and state,” said Hanssen. “The weather changes completely and now you have 90s and you have everyone not acclimated to that weather. Got to love it.”

While baseball, softball and track and field games and meets are most likely to get postponed with poor conditions on the playing surfaces, girls soccer, boys tennis and boys golf teams are often able to get scheduled events in.

Chris Bartletti’s Witt-Birn golf team has gotten its season off to a strong start, but the boys have had to compete in subpar weather conditions.

“When the weather improves, so does performance,” Bartletti said. “It is hard to practice indoors. We hit practice balls, but you can’t determine ball flight. Golf is definitely not an indoor game. We need to be outside to get better.”

Tennis subsectionals are scheduled for May 20 or 21, with golf regionals May 21 or 22 and soccer regionals starting May 28.

The expansion Marlins won the World Series in their fifth year in Florida, which was almost as punctual as the Arizona Diamondbacks, who won it all in just their fourth Major League Baseball season.

Neither of those teams got to the winner’s circle faster than the Milwaukee Bucks, who on the shoulders of an unimaginably skilled big man won the NBA championship in their third year of existence.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar lifted the Bucks from doormats to contenders in his 1969-70 rookie year, and then led the charge to the 1971 title that culminated in a 4-0 Finals sweep.

There is a vaguely similar dynamic in play with this year’s Bucks, who behind a dominant big man posted the league’s best regular season record.

Giannis Antetokounmpo is the Bucks’ 24-year-old, 6-foot, 11-inch freak of nature who has improved drastically over each of his six pro seasons. He is in the process of overtaking 34-year-old LeBron James as the league’s pre-eminent star.

Antetokounmpo was clearly the most valuable player in the league this past season, to such an obvious degree that his not being awarded the honor would be laughably unfunny. Without his 28 points, 13 rebounds and six assists that he averages every game, the Bucks are just another playoff bubble team.

The “Greek Freak,” as Antetokounmpo is known, is still a work in progress. He is a dominant big guy with a style like that of retired Hall of Fame center Tim Duncan, who was as good at finding the open man as he was filling up the bucket. As to how deep an imprint Antetokounmpo will leave on the game by the time he is finished, the jury is still out.

Antetokounmpo is a better ball handler than James but not as accurate a shooter from 10 feet and beyond. At 6-11 with an 87-inch wingspan, there are things he can more readily do than the 6-8 James.

This being 2019 — in the era where attackers can palm the ball and take two steps instead of one — there are things Antetokounmpo can do that Abdul-Jabbar could not. Antetokounmpo is at his best on the drive, knifing through the defense and finishing with a near-unstoppable flush.

Kareem was an entirely different animal. Three inches taller than Antetokounmpo, Abdul-Jabbar with his soft touch and sky hook was as close to an automatic two points as the game has ever seen.

Abdul-Jabbar’s high school teams lost a total of one game in three years, and his college teams lost a total of one game in three years. That’s pretty dominant.

Once they get to the main stage, elite pro athletes are ultimately gauged by how many championships they win. Abdul-Jabbar has six rings, with five of them coming when he played for the Lakers. It should be noted that his only title with the Bucks came after Hall of Fame guard Oscar Robertson arrived. The “Big O” and Bob Dandridge were outside threats that prevented defenses from collapsing on Kareem. With the Lakers, Abdul-Jabbar had two other Hall of Fame teammates, Magic Johnson and James Worthy.

If today’s parallel to Antetokounmpo and the Bucks isn’t clear, it is the simple reality that in the quest for a championship, even the greatest players need help. Michael Jordan didn’t win anything without Scottie Pippen. James had Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh in Miami, and then Kyrie Irving in Cleveland.

Antetokounmpo’s supporting cast of Eric Bledsoe, Khris Middleton, Brook Lopez and Malcolm Brogdon was a serviceable lot throughout the year, as the 60-22 record indicates.

The momentum kept rolling in the first-round sweep of Detroit, where the Bucks won their first postseason series since 2001, drumming the Pistons by an average margin of 24 points. The rest of the playoff run will reveal whether the Greek wunderkind has indeed stepped from the troposphere up to stratospheric heights, or if the Bucks were a steamrolling, regular-season phenomenon that didn’t have enough in the wings when the games got serious.

GIRLS SOCCER

Seymour 6

Shawano 3

The Hawks were doubled up by the Thunder in a Bay Conference match on Tuesday.

Kyra Klement netted two of Shawano’s goals, scoring in the 17th and 56th minutes. Brianna Mott scored the other goal in the 30th minute and also had one assist.

Tanessa Krysheski and Abigail Rabideau also had an assist for the Hawks. Goalie Peyton Buerman made 10 saves.

BASEBALL

Bowler 11

Tigerton 0 (5 inn.)

Zach Fehrman tossed a no-hitter in the Panthers five-inning Central Wisconsin Conference-North Division win over the Tigers on Tuesday. Fehrman struck out 10 batters while walking three.

Anthony Creapeau drove in two runs for Bowler, while Ezra Spencer, Logan Thiex, Landan Kroening, Brock Strassburg and Fehrman all scored twice.

Landon Prey suffered the loss for Tigerton and pitching an inning. Isaac Schoen and Nathan Hohn also pitched for the Tigers. Austin Hoffmann drew two walks at the plate.

Bonduel 12

Menominee Indian 2 (5 inn.)

The Bears eased past the Eagles in a CWC-North matchup on Tuesday.

Bonduel had seven hits in the game to go along with nine walks. Noah Beilfuss, Joey Wagester and Cole Anderson all finished with two hits.

Beilfuss earned the win on the hill, while Wagester also pitched.

Wendell Waukau was dealt the loss for Menominee Indian. Richard Wayka had two of the team’s three hits.

Seymour 7

Shawano 1

The Hawks fell short in a Bay Conference tilt with the Thunder on Tuesday.

Steve Hoffmann took the loss on the mound for Shawano, allowing a pair of runs in three innings. He did not record a strikeout or walk a batter.

Seymour’s starting pitcher Trent Blake struck out 11 batters over 5 2/3 innings.

Rosholt 4

Witt-Birn 3

The Chargers could not overcome an early 4-0 deficit in a CWC crossover loss to the Hornets on Tuesday.

Kody Szews drove in two runs for Wittenberg-Birnamwood, while Simon Stewart had the other RBI and finished with two hits.

Szews, Austin Worzalla and Austin Rekow each threw two innings for the Chargers, combining for six strikeouts and just one walk. Szews took the loss after allowing four runs — none of which were earned.

Fox Valley Lutheran 6

Clintonville 2

The Truckers dropped a North Eastern Conference battle to the Foxes on Tuesday.

Brock Smejkal and Matthew Morse each drove in a run for Clintonville, while Morse and Matt Seefeldt each scored.

Morse took the loss after allowing four runs over four innings. Trent Vollmer worked the final three innings.

Manawa 6

Marion 2

The Mustangs dropped a CWC-North battle to the Wolves on Tuesday.

Wyatt Free drove in a run, while Alex Zimmerman and Andy Pingil each scored for Marion.

Carter Goke, Cayden Schoen and Zimmerman all pitched for the Mustangs. The trio combined for seven strikeouts, but issued four walks and allowed 10 hits.

SOFTBALL

Bonduel 10

Menominee Indian 3

The Bears pounded out 13 hits to take down the Eagles in CWC-East play on Tuesday.

McKenzie Wollenberg, Taylor Luepke, Alison Renner, Olivia Lorbiecki and Nicole Koeller all tallied two hits for Bonduel in the win. Grace Tibutis scored three runs.

Claire Gehm picked up the win in the circle, striking out nine batters while allowing four walks and four hits.

Selena O’Kimosh suffered the loss for Menominee Indian. She struck out four batters. Hailey Alegria, MarLee Waupoose and Jalen Corn scored for the Eagles.

Witt-Birn 13

Rosholt 1

A pair of six-run innings lifted the Chargers past the Hornets in a CWC crossover matchup.

Olivia Zoromski and Paige Kurth each drove in two runs for Wittenberg-Birnamwood. Destiny Bagley, Abi Fraaza, McKenna Metropulos and Zoromski all scored twice.

Bagley also earned the win in the circle, working around five walks and a hit by striking out three batters.

Tigerton 9

Bowler 7

The Tigers used a five-run sixth inning to escape with a CWC-North victory over the Panthers on Tuesday.

Colleen Smith tallied three hits for Tigerton in the win. Raven Dewhurst had two hits, while Molly Brehm and Bethany Jobe drove in two runs each. Adrienne Brady struck out three batters and earned the win in the circle.

Tynea Johnson had three hits and three RBIs to lead Bowler at the plate. McKayla Putnam scored twice. Jada Waters took the loss, striking out seven batters over a complete game effort.

The Shawano Community High School girls track and field team scored 45 points to take second at the West De Pere Quad on Tuesday. The Shawano boys scored 31.5 points and took third.

The Shawano girls 1,600-meter runners stole the show, claiming the top-five spots in the event. Odessa Arce won the mile with a time of 5 minutes, 39.11 seconds. Lydia Beyer (5:49.06) and Alice Hoffmann (5:54.65) took second and third, respectively, while Grace Beyer (6:02.16) and Claire Guenther (6:12.59) rounded out the top five.

Reef Anthony led the Shawano boys by winning the pole vault (12 feet, 6 inches).

Placing second for the girls was Tori DePerry in the high jump (4-10) and long jump (14-4.5), Rachel Reed in the 100 (13.93), Morgan Weinig in the discus (85-11) and shot put (31-6.5) and Aubree Zastrow in the 300 hurdles (53.14).

Ethan Chelberg finished second in the boys 1,600 (5:01.43), while Brayden Dickelman took second in the long jump (17-7.75).

Gage Timm claimed second in the triple jump (38-3.25), while Crede Timm came in third in the high jump (5-04).

Girls team scores: 1. West De Pere 135; 2. Shawano 45; 3. New London 40; 4. Green Bay East 33.

Boys team scores: 1. West De Pere 131.5; 2. New London 91; 3. Shawano 31.5; 4. Green Bay East 12.

Tigerton competes at invite

A handful of Tigerton athletes competed in the Tri-County Invite on Tuesday.

Monika Minniecheske placed second in the long jump (14-1.5), 100 hurdles (19.08) and 300 hurdles (57.28) for the girls.

Minniecheske was also on the second-place finishing 4x100 relay (58.71). Jaycee Hoppe-Schmidt, Elizabeth Robbins and Ladia Block rounded out the team.

Robbins also came in third in the 100 (14.46).

No Tigerton boys placed in the top three.

Bonduel freshmen, sophomores compete in Oconto

Freshmen and sophomore members of the Bonduel track and field team competed in the Oconto Invitational on Tuesday. Each team placed fifth, with the girls scoring 76 points and the boys 52.

Madison Kurey won the triple jump (30-9.75) to lead the girls, while Isaac Banker claimed the top time in the 400 (57.93) and 800 (2:24.9) for the boys.

Banker also placed second in the triple jump (36-08.5) and high jump (5-2).

Placing second for the girls was Brenna Hertzfeldt in the 100 (14.11) and shot put (29-9) and Kurey in the 800 (2:41.55). Kurey took third in the 400 (1:09.24).

Girls team scores: 1. Sturgeon Bay 171; 2. Sevastopol 91; 3. Peshtigo 86.5; 4. Southern Door 83.5; 5. Bonduel 76; 6. Oconto 14

Boys team scores: 1. Southern Door 173; 2. Sturgeon Bay 124.5; 3. Peshtigo 75; 4. Sevastopol 69; 5. Bonduel 52; 6. Oconto 7.5.

An aggressive approach on the basepaths and a strong start from sophomore Taylor Johnson in the circle helped the Shawano Community High School softball team to an 11-1 Bay Conference victory in five innings over Green Bay East at Martzke Park on Tuesday.

Green Bay East seemed to be on its way to a big first inning, as the team’s leadoff hitter delivered a line drive single to third base that ripped through the glove of Shawano sophomore Naomi Wynos.

Johnson bounced back by striking out the next two batters and got the third out on a liner.

The Hawks (4-7) scored twice in the first inning without the benefit of a hit.

Wynos walked to open the game before moving to second on a passed ball and then got to third on a stolen base. Senior Kate Hoffman drew another walk, but instead of stopping at first base, kept running toward second.

Hoffman slowed before she got to second, drawing a throw from the East (2-6) pitcher. The throw was off the line, allowing Wynos to score easily and Hoffman to cross the plate shortly after.

“It (the play) kind of played with their heads a little bit and that’s what we really wanted to do,” Hoffman said. “When we got in their heads, we took it to our advantage.”

The two-run first was all Johnson needed in the circle.

She worked all five innings, allowing just four hits and a walk while striking out five batters.

“My drop curve was really on tonight,” Johnson said. “I’ve been struggling lately but this was the first game that I’ve been back (after dealing with an injury). I’ve worked really hard the last few weeks and finally got my game back.”

Shawano tacked on two runs in the third inning.

Junior Lauren Welander and freshman Brianna Wright were each hit by a pitch before scoring. Welander scored on an error, while Wright scored when Hoffman walked with the bases-loaded.

The Hawks busted the game open in the fourth, sending 11 hitters to the plate and scoring their final seven runs.

Junior Abi Vomastic singled to open the inning before Wynos reached on a fielder’s choice.

An error moved Vomastic to third and Wynos to second before Hoffman hit a grounder. East tried to throw out Vomastic at the plate, but she beat the throw. Wynos moved to third and Hoffman sprinted to second on the play.

Junior Gracyn Habeck followed with a single to score Wynos and move Hoffman to third — Habeck ended up at second after advancing on the throw.

Senior Bayleigh Laabs then brought home Hoffman and moved Habeck to third on a sacrifice fly. Habeck did not advance when Johnson reached on an error.

Welander delivered the knockout blow with a two-run double to score Habeck and courtesy runner Margo Gull, a freshman.

“This should help push us a lot more for our future games,” said Welander of what the win could do for the team. “It should also give us a better mindset as we go further in the season.”

The big inning continued with a RBI triple from junior Macie Herm and then capped by a RBI groundout from junior pinch-hitter Caitlin Daniel.

The Red Devils got their only run in the fifth after a one-out triple set up a sac fly.

Shawano is hoping the convincing win can be one it can build off as the final weeks of the regular season wind down and playoffs draw near.

“We’ve been trying to play complete games but we just seem to shoot ourselves in the foot — we had some pitching issues early on in the year, and then when we got that squared away a little bit, then the defense sort of got us into trouble,” said Shawano coach Brian Johnson. “The New London game (April 23) we put it together, then the L-C game (Luxemburg-Casco on April 26), we came out and laid an egg and looked sloppy again.

“Today, we looked good. Our pitching was great, the defense was great and our bats came through with some clutch hits.”

Walleyes, largemouth bass, white bass, Northern pike, panfish, trout and even muskies — are you ready for some fishing?

While some have been enjoying the walleye spawning season with a frenzy of angling fun on the Wolf River and other Lake Winnebago tributaries (where the season never closes), others patiently waited for Saturday’s inland waters opener to arrive and unleash the action on Shawano Lake and other state waters.

Bob Bohardt, of Shawano, a founder of several area bass tournaments and a member of Wisconsin Conservation Congress’ Warm Water Committee, said despite the unseasonably cold weather and high water, the bass anglers will be out in force.

Bohardt, a driving force behind the Shawano Bassmasters and Redneck Bass Busters fishing clubs, started a Shawano Bassmasters Mothers Day fishing tournament in the 1980s that still flourishes today. At its peak, the bass tourney had more than 100 teams on Shawano Lake, he explained. Anglers this Mother’s Day weekend (May 11-12) can fish that Saturday, Sunday or both days.

Bohardt, 68, said the cold snap and recent high water will affect opening weekend’s fishing, but it won’t slow down the diehards.

The beauty of fishing in Shawano County and the surrounding area is the variety of angling opportunities. If bass fishing isn’t your thing, the walleyes are still plentiful as the spawning season nears an end.

Bohardt, vice chairman of Shawano County’s chapter of Conservation Congress, was out last week watching the Walleyes for Tomorrow stocking boat net adult walleyes, and then milk the males and fertilize the eggs to later release mosquito-sized fry. Walleyes for Tomorrow stocks several area lakes, and Bohardt was amazed at the big walleyes the volunteers were netting, including a few approaching 30 inches.

Walleye fishing has been fair to great on the Wolf and other Winnebago system tributaries, but hampered by high water in recent weeks. New London’s Whopper Weekend on April 19-21, for example, saw the second-lowest overall catch because of flooding conditions.

Next up for river anglers is the white bass season, which is just beginning to bloom from Oshkosh (Rainbow Park is hot) to Fremont. The town of Fremont comes alive with boats and activity this time of year as anglers come to see firsthand why they call it the White Bass Capital of the World. The words “bass” and “fish fry” are seldom spoken together in largemouth and smallmouth circles, but seldom spoken apart when white bass are mentioned. When the bite is on, it’s not uncommon to bring home dozens of fish per angler (there is no daily limit on white bass in the Winnebago system and the inland waters).

Moving north into Oconto County, the North Shore Bait Co. in Oconto is gearing up for the May 20 perch opener and the 39th annual Oconto Sportmen’s Club Perch Derby on May 24-25, said worker Aaron LeBrech.

The full-service bait shop has enjoyed one of its strongest springs in years, and Saturday’s opener sees the shop humming as anglers stock up on live bait, terminal tackle and the shop’s specialty, custom baits.

“We cater to fishermen,” said LeBrech, who said they get calls from multiple states for fishing reports. He encouraged anglers to call them at 920-835-9889 or go to www.northshorebait.com for details.

The almost mythic fish of northern waters and fishing dreams — Northern pike and muskies — are stirring and promising lasting memories for a few lucky anglers. LeBrech noted a 50-inch musky already caught a few weeks ago at Styles Dam. These big-game fish require more than a little patience, but the reward is a rod-twisting yank and hopefully a few brief minutes of glory before the fish is released back to the water (most anglers seeking these species religiously practice catch-and-release).

Sprinkle in plentiful panfish, catfish and trout, and you have a full creel of fishing activity that can match any angler’s goals and pace — from run-and-gun to kicking back with a beverage.

While fishing for most species on inland waters opened, be sure you read about the regulations (dnr.wi.gov/topic/fishing/regulations/index.html) for your favorite fishing waters before casting a line. Check here for dates and regulations: dnr.wi.gov/topic/fishing/seasons/index.html.

Pietz earns pair of strong finishes

Wittenberg-Birnamwood High School graduate and current Winona State freshman Maddy Pietz won the 400-meter dash and placed third in the 200 at the Saint Mary’s Open on April 25.

Pietz claimed the top spot in the 400 after posting a mark of 58.27 seconds. The second-place finisher posted a time of 59 seconds.

Pietz earned a time of 24.75 in the 200, finishing behind two teammates — Brooklyn Schyvinck (24.68) and Brittany Schyvinck (24.37).

Wagner fifth in high jump

Shawano graduate and current UW-Whitewater freshman Atty Wagner placed fifth in the high jump while competing in the UW-Whitewater Drake Alternative Meet at the Rex Foster Track Complex at Fiskum Field in Whitewater.

Wagner cleared a height of 1.86 meters (6 feet, 1.25 inches) to place fifth.

Teammate Dylan Ferger cleared 6-9 to place first.

Stewart places in top 10 twice

Current UW-River Falls sophomore Allison Stewart turned in a pair of top-10 finishes while competing in the Tommie Twilight Invite which was hosted by the University of St. Thomas on Wednesday.

Stewart’s top finish came in the 100, where she posted a time of 13.37 seconds in the finals. She qualified for the finals with a mark of 13.46 in the prelims.

Stewart also ran the 200, placing ninth with a time of 27.16.

Introducing my brother, Sawyer, to hunting has been quite the adventure.

Deer hunting last fall, we were embarrassed by a trail camera video that showed an eight-point buck sneaking behind us as we walked to our afternoon spots. The season concluded with neither of us having many opportunities to harvest a deer.

Luckily, he still wanted to give turkey hunting a try this spring. I had the first season in zone 4, so he decided to tag along. He would soon learn that turkey hunting is not always as easy as tagging a bird within the first hour of hunting, which I did last spring.

With local sports teams taking a break for Easter, I was afforded the opportunity to head home on Thursday (April 18) and stay through Easter.

Our first morning (April 19) was a crisp one. As the sun and temperature rose, the toms started to gobble, seemingly in every direction. Only one hen showed though, busting us in the process.

After checking out some public land and then grabbing a bite to eat and taking a quick nap, we went out for an evening hunt hoping to roost birds.

While we didn’t hear a gobble, we did see a big tom on a neighboring property, which set the stage for an incredible April 20 morning.

Sitting near our property line with a hen decoy just behind us and to our left, we sat quietly until the gobbles began to ring out.

To our disappointment, we heard no gobbles in the direction we had seen the tom walking the night before. I pondered making a move toward a vocal tom but ultimately decided to stick it out.

The patience paid off, as a couple of live hen yelps alerted us that a pair of gobblers were a lot closer than we thought.

About 15 minutes later, Sawyer caught movement in the neighboring field. After pulling up the binoculars, we realized two toms and two hens had entered the field.

For what felt like the next hour, we watched the toms put on a show. They hit the field in full strut and never left it, letting the morning sun light up their fans as they slowly moved to the right.

We called periodically, but never got a response. Our clucks and yelps got another pair of gobblers fired up to our left, and immediately the two toms in the field worked back into the woods.

Just when I thought our morning hunt was over, I heard what I would describe as a sad hen, as if she was upset we hadn’t joined them in the field.

I was able to somewhat replicate the odd sound and was answered by a raspy yelp from the hen.

I immediately got my 20-gauge shotgun ready and turned to Sawyer and said, “Here we go.”

A minute or so later, I saw the hen working down the fenceline and right to us. Soon after, I saw the fans of the toms back in the field, again working to the right but much closer to us.

As the hen got closer, she and I had a conversation, but the toms barley budged.

The hen closed the distance to about 25 yards before the toms slowly starting shuffling in full display to us. It wasn’t until the hen was at about 15 yards that the toms crossed onto our property.

Unfortunately, once they crossed over, one gobbler stood just in front of the other, eliminating a shot at about 50 yards — a shot I wouldn’t take anyways.

With the hen peering at us and the toms hung up, I slowly tried to reposition myself so that I could get off a shot if the toms moved in a couple steps and separated.

Of course, the hen caught my movement, despite my brother and I being engulfed in shadows.

My mind immediately began to revert to all the times a hen had busted hunts, including the morning before, and I panicked.

One of the toms went from full strut to half and took a couple steps to the left. With a clear shot, I sent a round at him but clearly missed, as the tom didn’t budge.

I tried to pump another shell in, but trying slowly to do so without getting detected, the shell got stuck. I ripped the shell out and finally got another shell in, but by then, the toms had worked back into the woods on the neighboring property.

Dejected, I laid on my back and looked up at the morning sky. Like me, Sawyer was speechless.

As we exited the woods thinking the worst of the morning was over, he ribbed me for missing. I laughed it off, even though I knew I had ruined the most memorable hunt of my life by rushing a shot.

To top the morning off, I got the truck stuck before we even left the property, eventually having to get it towed out of the muck.

Our Easter hunt had us scrambling across the property, but never being able to get in front of the birds intended destination.

With memories that will last forever and some valuable lessons learned, Sawyer and I are excited to get back in the woods for the fifth season in a couple weeks.

Brianna Zook is doing what many college freshmen often cannot — carry over their high school athletic success at the collegiate level.

Zook, who plays for the Bryant & Stratton Bobcats — a college in Wauwatosa — is enjoying a big freshman season on the softball diamond.

As of Thursday, the Shawano Community High School graduate had played in each of the Bobcats’ 37 games this season. The reason she has continued to garner starts and at-bats this season is no surprise when you take a look at how she has produced in her opportunities.

Zook owns a .404 batting average, with 44 hits across 109 at-bats.

She also has been recognized by her college as the athlete of the week on three separate occasions, with the most recent coming this past Monday.

She earned the honor after driving in three runs against Waubonsee Community College on April 25 and three more against Sauk Valley Community College on April 26. Zook tallied seven hits, four of which were doubles, across doubleheaders against both teams.

“My early college success has come with all the practice in the offseason,” Zook said.

Zook leads Bryant & Stratton in doubles (22) and runs batted in (35). She’s also the team leader in walks (20), which helps her boast a video-game like on-base percentage of .496 — which also leads the team.

“My coaches have helped me a lot this year by teaching me new things about softball I never knew and helping improve my swing,” said Zook. “My teammates are wonderful — they’re always there to pick me up and cheer me on even if we’re not on the field.”

Zook’s first college season has turned into continuation of her senior year at SCHS, where she had a .459 batting average to go along with six homers. That helped her earn all-conference first team honors in the Bay Conference.

The home run power hadn’t translated to the collegiate level for Zook until a couple weeks ago.

She hit her first home run against Black Hawk College-Moline in the first game of a doubleheader on April 13. Her next home run came shortly after, as Zook hit another deep fly in the second game of the doubleheader.

While the pitching she is facing now is better than what she saw in high school, that hasn’t fazed Zook.

“The biggest difference between high school softball and college softball is practicing everyday,” Zook said. “Even if it’s in the offseason, we push ourselves to get better and to improve on the little things.”

Juggling that nonstop dedication to a sport and also excelling in college classes is another thing many athletes struggle with — not Zook.

“My college experience has been amazing with all the traveling I have done and the awesome friends I have made through softball,” she said. “As a student it also has been great because I have been able to achieve my goals.”

Bryant & Stratton has just a few games left in the regular season, with a scheduled doubleheader at Illinois Valley Community College on Sunday serving as the last games.

Bryant & Stratton competes in the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA). The softball team, which is in its second season, competes in Division II.

Athlete: Kris Krause

Sport: Baseball

School: Shawano Community High School

Year: Senior

It’s been a slow start to the season for the Shawano Community High School baseball team, but that hasn’t slowed Kris Krause at the plate. The senior has been a productive hitter in the middle of the Hawks lineup.

In a setback to New London on April 23, Krause had three hits, one of which was a double. He also posted multi-hit games against Oconto Falls on April 22 and in the second game of a doubleheader against Green Bay East/West on April 9.

Krause has also helped the team from the mound, pitching in several games already.

Q: When did your interest in baseball begin?

A: My interest in baseball has been with me ever since I can remember. I have been a lifelong Brewer fan so that took a large place in my love for the game but I did not start playing baseball until I was 6 years old.

Q: What is your favorite part about a baseball game or the baseball season?

A: My favorite part about baseball is getting to interact and meet these different people and kids who I otherwise would have no connection with outside of baseball.

Q: How did you train for the baseball season?

A: Before this season I actually fractured my ankle so I was not able to really train for the season, but I worked hard to get it back into shape and ready for the season.

Q: What goals do you hope to reach by the end of the season?

A: I hope that I can bat above a .300 average and that our team can start putting together some wins.

Q: As a senior, what do you do to help some of your younger teammates?

A: A way that I help my younger teammates is by telling them things that I have learned throughout the years and helping them to not get down on themselves if they hit a rough patch in their season.

Q: What’s your favorite memory of competing on the Shawano baseball team?

A: My favorite memory of competing on the Shawano baseball team is probably my freshman season on JV when we almost went undefeated and all played well together as a team.

Q: What is your favorite thing to do when you are not in school or competing in a high school sport?

A: My favorite thing to do when I am not in school or competing in a high school sport is making plans with friends and having fun.

Q: Favorite TV show, movie and musical artist?

A: My favorite TV show is “The Vampire Diaries.” My favorite movie is “Avengers: Endgame,” and my favorite music artist is Ivan B.

Q: Name one thing about yourself that not many people know.

A: One thing about myself that not many people know is that I am probably the biggest Brewer fan in all of Wisconsin.

Q: What’s the greatest piece of advice you have ever been told?

A: The greatest piece of advice I have ever been told is that you can’t always fix your mistakes so there is no reason to dwell on them.

BOYS GOLF

Marcell leads Hawks at conference meet

Led by Kaden Marcell’s nine-hole round of 44, the Shawano Community High School boys golf team took third at a Bay Conference Meet at Shawano Lake Golf Course on Thursday.

Lucas tePlate fired a 47, while Nick Sherman shot a 48 for the Hawks. Owen Moesch (51) and Andrew Puissant (52) rounded out the five-golfer team.

West De Pere placed first with a team score of 161.

Team scores: 1. West De Pere 161; 2. Xavier 173; 3. Shawano 190; 4. Seymour 191; 5. New London 201; 6. Menasha 210; 7. Green Bay East 232.

Witt-Birn takes sixth at loaded invite

The Chargers tallied a score of 356 to place sixth as a team at the Green Devil Drive at the Castle Course in Arkdale on Thursday.

Justin Keeney led the Chargers with an 18-hole round of 83. That score tied him for eighth as an individual.

Ian Resch shot an 87, while Calvin Scheurer tallied a 90. Logan Balliett (96) and Maverick Beran (99) rounded out the five-golfer team.

Team scores (top 10): 1. Winona 326; 2. Reedsburg 327; 3. Osseo-Fairchild 334; 4. Pacelli 348; 5. Neillsville/Loyal 350; 6. Wittenberg-Birnamwood 356; 7. Wisconsin Dells 360; 8. Wautoma/Wild Rose 370; 9. Cadott 371; 10. McDonell-Regis 373.

Witt-Birn competes at Whistling Straits

The Chargers posted a team score of 371 while competing in the Sheboygan Christian Triangular at Whistling Straits Golf Course in Sheboygan on Friday.

Maverick Beran posted a score of 89 over the 18-hole course. Ian Resch (90) finished a shot back, while Justin Keeney fired a 94.

Calvin Scheurer (98) and Logan Balliett (104) filled out the team.

Team scores: 1. Antigo 346; 2. Wittenberg-Birnamwood 371; 3. Sheboygan Christian 433.

BOYS TENNIS

Shawano 6

Green Bay East 1

The Hawks won their second Bay Conference match of the season, downing the Red Devils on Thursday.

All three of Shawano’s doubles teams earned wins in straight sets. Chris Black and Cesar Ramirez won in No. 1 action, Wyatt Theis and Rhain Rodenbeck teamed up in No. 2 play, while Nolan Buck and Rory Johnson won at No. 3 doubles.

Bryce Carlson (No. 2), Camden Kroll (No. 3) and Carson Cummings (No. 4) all earned singles wins.

Singles: No. 1: Troy Wypishinski GBE def. Anton Piantek, 6-3, 6-3; No. 2: Bryce Carlson S def. Joey Lor, 6-3, 6-2; No. 3: Camden Kroll S def. Song Yang, 6-0, 6-1; No. 4: Carson Cummings S def. Angel Dejesus Ortiz, 6-2, 6-1; Doubles: No. 1 : Chris Black-Cesar Ramirez S def. Joel Holzer-Jose Farfan, 6-3, 6-1; No. 2: Wyatt Theis-Rhain Rodenbeck S def. Jacob Toliver-Marx-Seth Walters, 6-2, 6-3; No. 3: Nolan Buck-Rory Johnson S def. Michael Resendiz-Abisael Martinez, 6-1, 6-0.

BASEBALL

Green Bay East 6

Shawano 1

The Hawks fell short against the Red Devils in a Bay tilt Saturday.

Nick Grignon led Shawano at the plate with a pair of hits.

Zach Erdmann suffered the loss, surrendering three earned runs and striking out five over six innings.

Marion 6

NL/WVL 5

A bases-loaded RBI single from Koy Brei scored Anthony Tischauser to give the Mustangs a thrilling win over the Northland Lutheran/Wisconsin Valley Lutheran co-op in Central Wisconsin Conference-North Division play Thursday.

Alex Zimmerman drove in two runs for Marion, while Carter Goke and Tischauser each scored twice. Cayden Schoen had three hits.

Goke pitched five innings, surrendering two earned runs and striking out four batters. Zimmerman worked two innings, also allowing two runs while striking out three.

Bonduel 2

Wey-Fre 0

A strong outing from Isaac Boldt lifted the Bears to another CWC-East victory on Thursday, downing Weyauwega-Fremont.

Boldt worked out of a bases-loaded jam in the first inning and went on to pitch a complete game. He allowed just four hits and a walk while striking out 10 batters.

Bonduel scored its two runs in the fifth inning. Parker Bohm tripled with two outs before Noah Beilfuss singled him home. Boldt then singled to score Beilfuss.

Bowler 15

Gresham 1 ( 5 inn.)

A nine-run fourth inning helped the Panthers run away with a CWC-North win over the Wildcats on Thursday.

Landan Kroening drove in five runs to lead Bowler at the plate. Ezra Spencer and Logan Thiex each had three RBIs, while Spencer and Lane Schultz each scored three runs.

Thiex earned the win on the mound, allowing an unearned run on three hits and two walks over five innings. He struck out three batters.

Luke Pecore scored Gresham’s lone run. Jake Hoffman and Pecore each threw two innings.

Seymour 14

Shawano 4

The Hawks fell short after allowing eight runs in the seventh inning of a Bay Conference loss to the Thunder on Thursday.

Zach Erdmann and Andrew Popp each had two hits for Shawano.

Popp was also dealt the loss, surrendering six runs — only two of which were earned — on four hits and four walks over 3 2/3 innings. He struck out three batters.

SOFTBALL

Shawano 7

Menasha 4 (9 inn.)

The Hawks scored three runs in the ninth inning to top the Bluejays in Bay action on Thursday.

Bayleigh Laabs finished the game with four hits, two runs scored and three RBIs for Shawano. Macie Herm, Taylor Johnson and Naomi Wynos added two hits each.

Johnson pitched 6⅓ innings, allowing two runs while striking out five. Caitlin Daniel tossed an inning, allowing an unearned run. Gracyn Habeck threw 1⅔ innings, surrendering one run.

NL/WVL 9

Tigerton 7

Tigerton fell short against Northland Lutheran/Wisconsin Valley Lutheran despite having more hits in a CWC-North battle Friday.

Raven Dewhurst and Molly Brehm each had three hits for Tigerton. Jaidan Miller had two hits, while Autumn Fredenberg drove in two runs.

Adrienne Brady took the loss despite striking out five batters.

Bowler 8

Gresham 4

The Panthers doubled up the Wildcats in CWC-North play Thursday.

Kayla Pecore and Jodi Wolf each scored two runs and had two hits for Bowler. Jada Waters earned the win, striking out four batters and allowing two earned runs over a complete game effort.

Gresham had 12 errors in the loss. Destiny Reindl took the loss despite striking out 11 batters. She also drove in two runs, while Valarie Cerveny scored twice.

Tigerton 7

Manawa 4

The Tigers used a pair of three-run innings to take care of the Wolves in CWC-North play Thursday.

Bethany Jobe had two hits and drove in two runs for Tigerton, while Coleen Smith had two hits and one RBI. Molly Brehm drove in two runs.

Adrienne Brady secured the win in the circle for the Tigers.

Fox Valley Lutheran 11

Clintonville 1

The Truckers could not slow the Foxes in North Eastern Conference play Thursday.

Hannah Baird took the loss in the circle but struck out eight batters.

Baird also doubled at the plate, while Abby King, Ally Schweitzer and Mercede Lorge had the other Clintonville hits.

GIRLS SOCCER

Wrightstown 6

Shawano 2

The Hawks dropped a nonconference match to the Tigers on Friday.

Isabel Colon scored Shawano’s first goal in the 69th minute, before Lindsey Roloff scored in the 72nd.

Peyton Buerman made 21 saves while defending the net. Brianna Mott was credited with an assist.

The Bonduel High School boys golf team won an invite at Fox Fire Golf Course in Waupaca on Thursday behind strong performances from Carter Siolka and Aaron Schaal.

Siolka fired an 18-hole round of 93 to lead Bonduel and place fourth as an individual. Schaal finished with a 97 to take sixth.

Rhett Hertzfeldt (103), Cooper Uelman (109) and Brooks Dehn (119) rounded out the Bears’ five-golfer team.

Marion came in fourth with a team score of 457.

Mollie Schoen fired a 112, while Ellen Radies shot a 113. Myles Peterson (115), McGregor Matz (117) and Cody Clegg (118) filled out the team.

The Menominee Indian/Gresham co-op took seventh with a score of 562.

Johhny Kerry led the way with a 123. Anna Petri (142), Kahkamahot Waupekenay (147), Tristan Wilber (150) and Asenex Turney (155) also represented the co-op.

Team scores: 1. Bonduel 402; 2. Weyauwega-Fremont 437; 3. Amherst 447; 4. Marion 457; 5. Manawa 464; 6. Iola-Scandinavia 465; 7. Menominee Indian/Gresham 562.

Lucas Lamberies may be a rookie in the IMCA Modified division, but the three-time IMCA Sport Mod champion certainly knows his way around the Historic Halfmile. Lamberies showed that the change in division was no obstacle in winning races as he outdueled his good friend Wyatt Block with a last lap pass for the feature win.

In other action, perennial winners Nick Anvelink (Late Model), Dan Michonski (IMCA Stock Car) and Jordan Barkholtz (IMCA Sport Mod) all scored their first wins of the season. Kevin Bice notched his first Mighty Four feature win as well.

Friends and family of longtime race enthusiast, Gary Effenberger, honored him with the Gary Effenberger Memorial as racers received extra money and plaques for the top-three feature finishers in Effenberger’s memory.

Anvelink may not consider himself much of an artist, but his arts skills were good enough to draw the pole for the Late Model feature. Anvelink would use that to his advantage as he led all 20 laps to score the victory.

Ron Berna, Tom Naeyaert, Derek Jahnke and Troy Springborn rounded out the top five.

The IMCA Modified feature saw Block battle Brekken Kleinschmidt side-by-side for the first two laps of the race — Kleinschmidt led lap one, while Block led lap two by a bumper. Lap three saw Block begin to put some distance between himself and the field.

With Block leading, the action behind him was hot between Kleinschmidt, Konnor Wilinski, Lamberies and Marcus Yarie. Lamberies, Kleinschmidt and Wilinski exchanged second through fourth numerous times throughout the race as Block looked to be in control.

A late race caution flag brought out a restart with only three laps remaining. Over the final two laps, Lamberies went to the high side of the track and ran down Block.

A slight bobble by Block in turn four on the final lap gave Lamberies the opening he needed as he pulled even with Block. It was a drag race to the checkered flag, with Lamberies winning by the slightest of margins. Block settled for second. Wilinski, Kleinschmidt and Eddie Muenster crossed the line behind the lead pair.

Asa Doxtator led the opening stages of the IMCA Stock Car feature as brothers Dan and Nate Michonski fought for second. Dan Michonski cleared his brother on lap three and tracked down Doxtator on lap four to take the lead. Dan Michonski led the remainder of the race for the win.

Behind Michonski a spirited battle took place between Jeremy Christians, Trent Nolan, Travis VanStraten, Junior Karcz and Gary Kasperek. Ultimately Christians (who started in 10th), Nolan, Karcz and Kasperek would complete the top five.

Barkholtz took advantage of last week’s bad luck which put him on the front row of this week’s IMCA Sport Mod feature. Barkholtz led every lap of the race as he cruised to victory lane.

Jason Jach chased Barkholtz the entire night but could not muster a bid for the lead. He would finish in second. Kevin Bethke came from eighth on the grid to finish third. Brock Saunders and Bryce Clements completed the top five.

Kameron Jorgenson and Bice raced side-by-side for the opening lap of the Mighty Four feature race. Bice pulled ahead to lead lap two. Bice would not look back en route to his first career feature win at Shawano.

Brad Nelson ultimately finished in the second spot. Lucas Hacker, Brad Wedde and Jason Cornelius finished in third through fifth.

Racing continues this Saturday with a 6 p.m. start time. More information can be found online at www.shawanocountyfair.net.

The Clintonville High School softball team was unable to get its offense going in a pair of North Eastern Conference home losses to Oconto Falls on Friday.

The Truckers tallied just two hits in a 7-0 loss in the first game of the doubleheader. Clintonville scored an unearned run and had four hits in a 9-1 loss in game two.

“The first game, we were making good contact, but unfortunately, every time we did, the ball seemed to just die or we would hit it right to one of their players. We needed some more power there and we just weren’t getting it,” said Clintonville coach Danalore Chaney. “But we’re getting better. We still have a lot to improve upon and batting is definitely one of those.”

“We’re still having a lot of watched strikes. I don’t know if we’re just thinking, ‘Oh, there will be another good pitch just like that one coming.’ But we just have to learn to take advantage and be aggressive as batters.”

Clintonville (1-10) had five baserunners reach in game one. Junior Mercede Lorge singled in the second inning, junior Tessa Doornink walked in the fourth, junior Bailey Mares reached on an error in the fifth and Doornink singled before junior Hannah Baird walked in the seventh.

“Last night (Thursday against Fox Valley Lutheran) we faced a pretty fast pitcher and so tonight was just that hard adjustment period, which I feel is a weakness for us,” said Doornink on why the team struggled to produce runs.

Baird pitched all seven innings, allowing five earned runs on seven hits and three walks. Baird struck out four batters.

Acting as the visitors in game two, Clintonville had a few opportunities to score, but could never seem to string enough hits together.

Baird reached on an error before freshman Allyson Schwietzer singled in the second, but a groundout ended the threat.

The Truckers loaded the bases in the fourth after senior Sasha Carrillo walked and Doornink and Lorge reached on errors, but three straight strikeouts ended the inning. Oconto Falls (10-3) broke the game open the next half inning, scoring seven runs to go up 8-0.

Clintonville finally broke through in the fifth. Senior Tarah Malotky singled to open the inning before freshman Abigail Schreiber singled with one out. After each player moved up a base, Carrillo reached on an error that scored Malotky.

A flyout and groundout ended the inning.

Junior Abigail King singled in the seventh, but the Truckers couldn’t move her around.

Baird took the loss after working the first 3 2/3 innings — she struck out two batters. Junior Mia Peterson finished the game, allowing a run in the sixth.

“I would say we need to work on our hitting a little bit more, making sure we are getting the right amount of contact and hitting the ball right in the middle,” said King on what the team needs to improve on as the season winds down. “I also think we could really work on our team bonding, just coming out together as a strong team instead of individually since softball is a team game. Once we get that down pat, we are going to be good to go.”

The Wittenberg-Birnamwood High School softball team emerged with a 26-8 Central Wisconsin Conference-East Division road victory over Menominee Indian on Thursday in a game that featured 33 hits.

Witt-Birn (6-4) tallied 26 of those hits, scoring three runs in the first inning, four in the second, five in the third, 13 in the fourth and one in the fifth.

Several Witt-Birn hitters posted monster games, but none were bigger than junior Megan Konkol’s night. The junior had five hits, including a triple and double, and eight RBIs. She also scored four runs.

“I was able to stay patient at the plate and confident,” Konkol said. “I was seeing the ball very well tonight and was able to connect. Our team as a whole has been working very hard at our hitting, and at tonight’s game, we were all able to build off of each other’s hits. People would get on and everyone was finding a way to advance the runners and get them home.”

Senior Destiny Bagley also had five hits, including a double, while driving in four runs.

Sophomore Abi Fraaza finished with three hits, four RBIs and four runs scored, while senior Rayna Beaman had two hits and three RBIs. Sophomore Emma Herb tallied four hits.

Herb and senior Olivia Zoromski each scored three times.

Bagley picked up the win in the circle, pitching all five innings and striking out five batters. Three of Menominee Indian’s runs were earned.

Menominee Indian (2-6) scored at least once in every inning, but Bagley limited the big innings.

“When I am pitching, my main focus is to do my part by hitting my spots and pitching strikes by staying tough and letting my team back me up,” Bagley said. “They are always cheering me and each other on up to the last out, which I feel played a big role on eliminating any big innings.”

Eagles senior Jalen Corn hit a homer and drove in three runs, while sophomore Selena O’Kimosh had four of the team’s seven hits and drove in two runs.

“The score will never define who we are as a team,” said Corn. “You win some, and you lose some. Unfortunately, tonight we lost. But now we’ll use this for motivation for the next (game) and so forth.”

Junior Joli Shawanokasic scored two runs.

O’Kimosh took the loss in the circle, but was hurt by 10 errors — of the 26 runs, 12 were earned. O’Kimosh struck out four batters.

“We are starting to develop and understand what passion and commitment to a sport is, as well as what it means to be a good teammate,” said Menominee Indian coach Miranda Hagberg. “Tonight we admitted we didn’t play our best ball, but tomorrow we are going to go into practice with a stronger work ethic so this hopefully doesn’t happen again. We need to move on from this game, but we need to use it as motivation to get better and see the level of ball we need to be at.”

The Wittenberg-Birnamwood High School baseball team turned things around just in time, scoring five runs in the seventh inning to claim a 5-3 Central Wisconsin Conference-East road win over Menominee Indian on Thursday.

After posting just two hits across the first six innings, the Chargers (6-6) tallied seven hits in the seventh.

Sophomore Bryce Zoromski and senior Kody Szews each delivered singles before senior Michael Gibson doubled to score Zoromski.

Sophomore Larken Betry followed with a single to score Szews. Junior Jacob Groshek doubled to score Gibson, the go-ahead run.

A strikeout and a failed suicide squeeze bunt attempt gave Menominee Indian (1-7) two quick outs, but Witt-Birn wasn’t done.

Junior Simon Stewart singled to move Groshek to third. Groshek then scored on a wild pitch, and senior Shane Herb tripled to score Stewart.

“Up until the last inning, we hadn’t had many people on base,” said Groshek. “But after the first couple of guys got hits, I think everybody got a little more confident, and that’s what helped us start the rally and keep it going.”

“I don’t know if hitting is contagious, but, boy, once one of us got a hit, it was like one after another,” said Witt-Birn coach Dan Kapitz said. “It showed that this group won’t give up. It was really good to see because they work hard, and they know they were capable of hitting better than they did the first six innings. It was frustrating, but I like the way they persevered.”

Herb’s stellar start on the mound helped Witt-Birn keep the game close. He allowed a pair of third-inning runs but was able to keep the Eagles in check until allowing a harmless run in the seventh.

Herb struck out five batters to work around three walks, six hits and a pair of hit batters.

“To be honest, I’m just throwing to contact and trying to throw strikes because I know that I have my team behind me,” Herb said. “I’m just trying not to walk people and give them free bases.”

Herb stranded two runners in both the first and third innings. He also worked around a one-out triple in the fifth.

Base-running mistakes kept the Chargers off the scoreboard in the early innings.

Jamison Besaw, Menominee Indian’s sophomore lefty, picked off W-B runners at first base in the first and third innings. Besaw, who struck out four batters and walked two, also induced a double play in the second.

The Eagles grabbed the lead in the third on the strength of four singles.

Senior Richard Wayka led off the inning with a single before advancing two bases on an error. Senior Mequan Corn delivered a single to score Wayka.

Freshman Wendell Waukau followed with a single to move Corn to third. Junior Riley Uttecht drove in Corn later in the inning to make it 2-0.

After surrendering the lead in the top half of the seventh, the Eagles continued to fight until the final out.

Corn doubled with one out and moved to third on a wild pitch before scoring on a passed ball. The rally ended there, as Herb struck out the final batter of the game.

“I was proud of the team’s performance tonight,” said Corn. “We are getting better day in and day out. We are starting to realize our true potential from this loss. We learned how good we can be, and we learned that we need to close out games. It’s valuable experience for the younger guys, because we have a lot of them.”