This story is sponsored by: The Marshfield Chaparrals Baseball Club
MarshfieldAreaSports.com
ONALASKA – Spencer put up three runs in the top of the fourth inning and held off a late rally to top Onalaska Luther 5-4 in a WIAA Division 4 softball sectional semifinal on Tuesday.
The Rockets (16-5) move on to the D-4 sectional final where they will play Stevens Point Pacelli (24-0) on Thursday. The game is scheduled to be played at Markesan, but may be moved closer to central Wisconsin.
Luther (15-8) scored a run in the bottom of the first and the lead held until the Rockets erupted for three in the fourth and another in the fifth.
The Knights drew closer with a two-run sixth against Spencer pitcher Tiffany Meinders, making it 4-3.
Spencer added an insurance run that was needed as Luther plated one run in the bottom of the seventh, but that was all it could muster.
Meinders held on for the complete-game win, finishing with three strikeouts and one walk.
Kayla Hopperdietzel had two RBIs and Meinders had two of the Rockets’ eight hits in the victory.
“The team showed tremendous heart today,” Spencer coach Laschel Canfield said. “They fought hard and played fantastic defense. We are really hitting our stride. Coach Wilke and I couldn’t prouder of them.”
Rockets 5, Knights 4
Spencer 000 310 1 – 5 10 3
Onalaska Luther 100 002 1 – 4 8 2
WP: Tiffany Meinders. LP: Alexis Stellick.
SO: Meinders 3; Stellick (4 inn.) 4, Aubrey Palubicki (3 inn.) 1. BB: Meinders 1; Stellick 1, Palubicki 0.
Top hitters: S, Aryiah Schuh 2 runs; Meinders 2×4, 2B; Kayla Hopperdietzel 2 RBIs. OL, Allison Beagle 2×4; Grace Meyer 2×3, RBI; Cydna Protsman 2B; Katie Tauscher 2B, RBI.
Records: Spencer 16-5; Onalaska Luther 15-8.