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WAUSAU – The Spencer softball team won a regional championship in dramatic fashion Thursday, toppling Wausau Newman Catholic 4-3 in eighth innings.
Spencer (21-5) moves on to a WIAA Division 4 sectional semifinal against Wisconsin Rapids Assumption (14-8) at 5 p.m. Monday at Abbotsford.
Spencer led 3-0 before Newman (18-3) scored a run in the fifth and two more in the seventh to tie the game.
In the seventh, Rockets’ shortstop Paige Johnson gunned out the potential game-winning run at home on a relay from the outfield, sending the game into extra innings.
Dani Johnson led off the eighth by reaching first base on a dropped third strike. She stole second, then scored on a single by Krystal Weier, her team-leading 49th RBI.
With two runners on in the bottom of the inning, Johnson snared a liner in left field to end the game.
Heidi Guenther pitched all eight innings for Spencer, striking out two, walking two, and allowing nine hits and just one earned run.
“Tonight was a great team game,” Spencer coach Jason Gorst said. “I have never been part of a game that was so exciting in any sport that I played or coached. Our girls showed tremendous heart.”
Rockets 4, Cardinals 3
Spencer 010 200 01 – 4 9 2
Newman 000 010 20 – 3 9 2
WP: Heidi Guenther. LP: Brianna Jankowski.
SO: Guenther 2; Jankowski 6. BB: Guenther 2, Jankowski 0.
Top hitters: S, Paige Johnson 2×4, run; Dani Johnson 2×4, run; Courtney Schulz 3B. N, Brianna Jehn 2×4, 2B, RBI; Anna Gosz 2×4, 2B; Brogan Resch 3×4, 2B.
Records: Spencer 21-5; Newman 18-3.