Bears suffer tough loss at Oconto

A depleted pitching staff and illness were too much for Bonduel High School to overcome in a WIAA Division 3 regional softball championship game Saturday in Oconto.

Fresh off a three-game winning streak -- the longest of the Bears' season, Bonduel had neither the hitting or pitching needed to upset Oconto, which advanced with a 10-2 win.

It was the second straight year that Oconto knocked the Bears out of postseason play in a regional final.

Bonduel outscored its opponents 24-5 in the opening two rounds of regional play, but Oconto pitcher Becky Berth held the Bears to four hits while striking out five and walking two through six innings.

Pitching on short rest, BHS senior starter Jen Dowden mustered all she could, but allowed five runs in the first two innings.

To make matters worse, sophomore shortstop Kailee Pedersen got sick en route to Holtwood Park.

“We were a little bit concerned about that and we weren’t sure if she was even able to play,” coach Chris Reinke said. “If we had Jen healthy and Kailee healthy, it would have been a different ballgame; they are two very important ballplayers.”

Pedersen, the team’s leadoff hitter, managed to play and posted the first run of the game on a fielding error in the top of the first inning.

The Blue Devils (14-8, 5-5 Packerland Conference) scored four runs in the second, with a wild pitch, passed ball and two stolen bases contributing to the rally.

Reinke called on Cameri Gehm to pitch in the third inning, shifting Dowden to the infield. Over the final four innings, Gehm allowed five runs, four walks and five hits.

“We have been battling injuries through the whole season and we have had people stepping up and playing out of positions,” Reinke said.

Bonduel (8-15, 5-9 Central Wisconsin Conference-8) scored its second run on a third-inning single from Kaylee Rynish to score Lexi Reinke.

Oconto coach Jeremy Wusterbarth said the Bears were not the same team he saw when the squads split a doubleheader to start the season,

“Coach Reinke does a wonderful job and I know they are a much better team than what we saw today," he said. "They had a couple of injuries and we were able to capitalize on them.

“Bonduel is a very good team and they play in a very tough conference, and have great competition. I told these girls this could be same result as earlier in the season.”

Reinke noted that while the Bears will lose Dowden, Reinke and second baseman Deanna Zernicke to graduation, she remains hopeful for a good season next year, including the return of Pedersen.

“We are going get a lot of key players back and (Pedersen) is an excellent ballplayer and a very good competitor," Reinke said. "She is very smart. She will be someone to keep an eye for in the next two seasons.”