MADISON — When the season began, the Mishicot softball team didn’t expect to be in Madison one game away from a Division 3 State title.
Now that its season came to a close with a 12-0 loss in five innings to Laconia, the Indians fully expect to contend next year with valuable experience under their belts.
“Next year getting back to State will definitely be a goal,” said junior catcher Amber Pantzlaff.
It was a rough start for Mishicot on Friday, as the Spartans scored four runs in the first inning before Laconia’s stellar freshman pitcher Kayla Shwebke went to work. Schwebke limited the Indians to three hits en route to the complete game win.
“We weren’t used to the atmosphere and the field and got nervous and couldn’t hit off of (Schwebke),” said junior short stop Tayler Krause. “She was a good pitcher, she had perfect speed and good placement.”
Despite falling behind early, Mishicot coach Dawn Krueger thought the Indians were capable of a comeback having rallied from a 2-0 deficit against St. Joseph in the sectional final last Friday.
“I told the players they had to keep battling,” Krueger said. “We fell behind 7-0 to St. Mary’s earlier in the year and won. I said anything is possible.”
Laconia, though, kept scoring. The Spartans’ offense generated runs in every inning and led 8-0 when Krueger made the tough decision to pull starting senior pitcher Lindsay Bries. Bries was one of two seniors on the team, making the decision that much more gut wrenching for Krueger.
“I told Lindsay she did a great job but it wasn’t working. We needed to switch things up,” Krueger said when she pulled the senior who pitched 163 out of 181 innings for the Indians this season. “I felt bad for her…I wanted to give her that chance but I had to do what was best for the team at that moment.”
Bries’ final line was 2 2/3 innings while allowing five earned runs on 10 hits.
“Laconia’s offense was really good, I started with a lot of fastballs,” said Bries. “Later in the game I started throwing some junk which was more effective but we couldn’t defend.”
Mishicot committed four errors and was outhit by Laconia 15-3 while striking out 11 times.
Replacing Bries was freshman Alyssa Ahumada, who finished the game and handled herself very well according to her coach, allowing just one earned run on five hits in 2 1/3 innings of work.
“I’m excited for the future, right now It’s sad right now and Lindsay and Kelly (Junk) are big shoes to fill but Alyssa getting this experience is only going to help,” said Krueger.
Mishicot’s best chance to score came in the bottom of the third when Krause, the Indians’ leader in every statistical hitting category, came to the plate with two outs and runners on second and third trailing 8-0.
“I thought ‘here we go,’” Krueger said. “But, like I said, (Schwebke) is a great pitcher and she struck (Krause) out.”
Bries had some final words for her younger teammates.
“Don’t give up on it, don’t get down on yourself when things get rough,” Bries said.
As Indians players and fans boarded buses bound back home, the overwhelming sense among everyone was now that Mishicot got its first taste of action at State in school history, going even farther next year would be that much sweeter.
“I’m so proud of the girls,” Krueger said. “First time making State. Right now they’re sad but they have to be proud about everything we’ve done for the village of Mishicot, for the softball program. It’s hard right now, it’s a great memory and it’s going to give them that itch to get back and keep working…I have no doubt we can get back here.”