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MarshfieldAreaSports.com
BLAIR – For the first time ever, the Stratford softball team is heading to state.
Lexie Christopherson had a bases-loaded double to plate three runs, and later scored on a single by Laney Pankratz during a four-run eruption in the fourth inning, lifting Stratford to a 4-1 win over Blair-Taylor in a WIAA Division 4 sectional semifinal Thursday at Blair-Taylor High School.
Stratford (18-9) will compete in a WIAA Division 4 state semifinal on Thursday, June 8, at either 4:30 p.m. or 6:30 p.m., depending on seeding, at Goodman Diamond on the campus of the University of Wisconsin in Madison. The Division 4 championship game is Saturday, June 10, at 10:30 a.m.
Pankratz threw a complete-game four-hitter, striking out nine with two walks, holding down a Blair-Taylor team that finishes 24-4 and had outscored opponents 228-46 prior to Thursday’s matchup.
“I can’t say enough about these girls and the determination and heart they showed all seasonm but especially the last three games,” Stratford coach Mandy Pankratz said. “We built a tough schedule that has really paid off. Our losses served as great motivators to keep working. It’s not easy going to a sectional final against the host school, but these girls trusted each other every pitch. A total team effort!”
The game was scoreless heading into the fourth when Emma Roeper led off for the Tigers with a single and Tessa Berg added another hit. After a groundout and a strikeout, Sonia Peterson walked to load the bases.
Christopherson followed with a double to right, clearing the bases and putting Stratford up 3-0. Pankratz nailed a line drive to left to score Christopherson to up the lead to 4-0.
Click here to view the statewide sectional softball scoreboard
Blair-Taylor responded with one run in the bottom of the fourth on an RBI double by Kierstyn Kindschy. Pankratz was able to wiggle out of the inning and allowed only two baserunners – on an error in the fifth and a hit batter in the seventh – the rest of the way.
Bailey Linzmaier had two of Stratford’s seven hits in the victory.
Tigers 4, Wildcats 1
Stratford 000 400 0 – 4 7 1
Blair-Taylor 000 100 0 – 1 4 1
WP: Laney Pankratz. LP: Abby Thompson.
SO: Pankratz 9; Thompson (4 inn.) 7, Lindsey Steien (3 inn.) 1. BB: Pankratz 2; Thompson 1, Steien 0.
Top hitters: S, Bailey Linzmaier 2×4; Lexie Christopherson 2B, 3 RBI; Pankratz 1×3, RBI. BT, Kierstyn Kindschy 2B, RBI.
Records: Stratford 18-9; Blair-Taylor 24-4.