Post Messenger Recorder -

On April 16th, the Belleville softball team participated in a four-team tournament in Mineral Point.

Game one was against Mineral Point, and they lost 3-0. Coach Connie Wunschel is ok with the loss though. “They have seven seniors playing/returning from a strong team last year.”

Wunschel went on to say, “We struggled batting, only having three hits. Our pitch selection wasn’t the best. We only managed to get four runners on base as well.  We only struck out five times as a team, but our hits just didn’t go anywhere much but back to their pitcher. Our best opportunity to score was in the fourth inning when Cassidy Heller led off with a base hit to the left side. Back to back strikeouts followed. Tara Hanna then had a base hit to put runners at 1st and 2nd, but another grounder to their pitcher ended any threat. It was a good battle as they scored one run in the fourth, one in the sixth, and one in the seventh. We were home team by coin flip. Errors on two batters led to those girls scoring, and a two-out double, followed by back-to-back passed balls, allowed the other run to score. They left five runners on, so they could have scored more than the 3. Highlight of the game – Freshman Leah Hanna ran down a ball hit into the left field gap, threw to her sister Tara (SS) who threw to 3rd to Miranda O’Rourke to get that batter out for the third out in the fifth inning. A good heads up play! Catcher Alli Kowalski also connected with Tara to cut down an attempted steal of 2nd base in the sixth inning which gave them two outs, but that next batter hit the double and proceeded around the bases by passed balls. We’ve had some good play, but some rough times too.”

Pitcher Cassidy Heller pitched all seven innings, facing 28. She managed to strike out six Mineral Point players, walking one, with four hits. Coach Wunschel commented that Heller’s pitching was “Phenomenal! Should be enough to get the win!”

Heller was 2-3. Tara Hanna was 1-3 at bat.

Game two in Mineral Point was against Argyle, who had lost to Platteville in their first game. Belleville lost to the Orioles in eight innings, 5-6.

“Another close game, but we were on the losing end. I’m hoping the girls can keep learning and get us over the hump!” commented Coach Wunschel. “They used three pitchers to shut us down. We had ample opportunities, but squandered them on too many popups to the infield. We left 10 runners on base. They did the damage in the first inning, scoring four runs and batting one runner short of their nine hitters. After that, Ryley settled down into a nice rhythm. Senior Ryley Hellwig started on the pitching rubber, pitching four innings, facing 18, striking out three, walking one, gave up five hits and four runs.  We had two errors as a team. Cassidy Heller then came in and pitched the last four innings, facing 13, striking out one, no walks, two hits and two runs. Argyle didn’t score any runs until the extra inning, scoring two in the top of the eighth. Ryley and Cassidy did a great job, along with team defense. We scored one run in the first, one in the third, one in the fourth, and one in the fifth to tie the score 4-4. After the seventh inning (which we were home team), they started a runner at 2nd (international tie breaker). They pushed across two runs in the top of the eighth. One by sacrifice fly, giving them two outs, and the next batter hitting a base hit up the middle to score another run. We started with Junior Grace Patrow on 2nd. Frosh Kori Rogers attempted a bunt, but accidently kicked the ball while in play to make the first out. Cassidy Heller had a base hit to the right side to push Grace to 3rd. Next batter struck out. Alli Kowalski had a base hit to left center to score Grace. Tara Hanna had a base hit to load the bases, so we had a chance to tie, but our next batter hit a grounder to 3rd for the last out.  We were so close!!”

Cassidy Heller was 3-4 with one run scored and one RBI. Alli Kowalksi was 2-4 with one run scored. Tara Hanna was 2-5, with one double. Miranda O’Rourke was 1-3 with two RBIs.

On Monday, April 18th, Belleville hosted Watertown Luther Prep, and lost 5-6. Belleville only had four hits the entire game.

“I thought this was a game we should’ve won, but it didn’t happen,” said Wunschel.

Belleville scored two of their runs in the first. With one out in the first inning, Abby Winterburn walked, then stole 2nd. Alli Kowalski hit a shot to center field for a base hit that was mishandled to move runners to 2nd and 3rd. Tara Hanna then walked to load the bases. “Miranda O’Rourke then struck out on a swing, but she took off for 1st and their catcher overthrew 1st - we were able to score both Abby and Alli. Miranda was out tho, and we stranded Tara at 3rd,” said Wunschel.

In the second inning, Belleville scored one run, but Wunschel felt as if “we could’ve done more as we left bases loaded.”

“On one out, Anna Nolden reached on an error. Leah Hanna then bunted to move Anna, and when the throw went over 1st baseman’s head, both runners moved up a base. Next batter struck out for the second out. Abby Winterburn reached on a walk to load the bases. Alli then hit a shot up the middle to score Anna, but the inning ended on a fly ball to center,” explained Wunschel.

Another two runs were scored in the third inning by the Wildcats, aided by walks and errors. “Ryley reached on an error by the left fielder – the ball caromed off her glove into further left field and Ryley beat a relay to 3rd. Next batter struck out followed by a walk to Anna and Leah. Ryley scored on a wild pitch. Cassidy Heller hit a base hit to score Anna, but that was all we could muster. They held us scoreless the last four innings. In the sixth we had two runners on, but again couldn’t push them around to score,” Wunschel said.

At the top of the seventh, Luther Prep scored three runs to take the lead from the Wildcats.

Cassidy Heller pitched a full game for the Wildcats. She faced 35, struck out three, walked two and gave up 10 hits.

Alli Kowalksi was 3-4 with one run scored and one RBI. Abby Winterburn was 0-1, with one run scored and one stolen base. Cassidy Heller had one hit and one RBI. Miranda O’Rourke was 0-3, but had two RBIs on her strike out.

Watch next week’s paper for the results of the Marshall game on April 22nd. Belleville played Lakeside Lutheran and Waterloo at home Monday and Tuesday and then head to Cambridge on Thursday.