The Belleville Wildcats softball team played at Cambridge on April 30th, a game that had been rescheduled from April 17th due to inclement weather. Belleville won in five innings, 15-2.

With two outs in the 1st, Jillian Michaels walked, stole 2nd and then stole 3rd and scored on a base hit by Bailey Legler. In the 2nd inning, Maddie Weber led off with a base hit and then stole second. Ella Campbell then had a base hit to put runners on the corners, advanced two and Weber and Campbell scored when Abby Winterburn had a base hit up the middle. In the 4th inning, CC Grefsheim, Kori Rogers and Abby Winterburn scored to bring it to 7-0. In the 5th inning, Belleville scored 8 runs.

"It was really good to see our bats wake up like that," said Coach Connie Wunschel. "I'm only hoping they keep that confidence and keep at it in our next games!"

Kori Rogers was 2x4 at bat with two runs scored and 2 RBIs. Bailey Legler was 2x4, with one run scored, 2 RBIs and one stolen base. Ella Campbell was 3x4 with two runs scored, a double, two RBIs and one stolen base. Abby Winterburn was 2x3 at bat with one run scored and 2 RBIs.

"Belleville had 13 hits, and 13 RBI. All but one player that batted had a hit," said Wunschel. "We had only one error, and that happened in the first inning."

Cassidy Heller pitched the full five innings, facing 18 batters, with four strikeouts, one walk, two runs, one earned and one hit.

On May 1st, the team played at New Glarus, winning 9-0.

"Belleville was able to get lots of girls in game action, with 8 of our 9 subs getting in the game," said Wunschel. "We scored three in the 1st, three in the 2nd, one in the 3rd and two in the 5th. Defensively, we made the plays we were supposed to, and committed just one error. In the 6th inning we put a double play together, getting a swinging strikeout, then Ella Campbell (catcher) threw down to 2nd to get the runner out as she was walking back to the base. It was a nifty play by her and Bailey Legler at short stop."

For Belleville, Cassidy Heller was 2x2, with two runs scored, three RBIs and one double. Kori Rogers was 2x3 with two runs scored and one stolen base. Jillian Michaels was 2x4 with two runs scored, one RBI and one stolen base. Raina Nicholson was 1x2 with one run scored and one stolen base. Jenna Shrader was 1x1.

For New Glarus, Shealyn Klosterman-Havens was 2x3 at bat. Faith Bump had one hit.

Cassidy Heller started off on the mound for the Wildcats. She pitched four innings, facing 15 batters, striking out five, walking one and giving up one hit. Maddie Weber pitched the final three innings, facing 10 batters, striking out seven, and giving up two hits.

On the mound for New Glarus was Riley Parker, who struck out seven and walked two. Parker gave up 11 hits, nine runs (seven earned), and two walks.

The game that was to be played against Cambridge on May 3rd was rescheduled for May 15th, and Belleville played at Brodhead on May 7th, holding on to win 6-5.

"Cassidy Heller pitched a really great game, keeping Brodhead's strong hitters at bay for six innings. She only gave up six scattered hits through six innings, with none the first three," said Wunschel. "The bottom of the 7th is where they made a charge at us, collecting four straight hits to score four runs. All five of Brodhead's runs were earned. As a team we committed only one error, which is pretty good since Brodhead put the ball in play almost every at bat! Our infield made a lot of solid plays."

Belleville scored three runs in the 1st, starting with Cassidy Heller's lead-off base hit to left, followed by Kori Rogers' base hit to left; both girls advanced on a passed ball. Jillian Michaels hit a fly ball to right center for a sacrifice fly to plate Heller and move Rogers to 3rd. Bailey Legler walked and then stole second, and Brodhead's short stop misplayed the ball to score Rogers. Callie Everson walked and then Maddie Weber ground out, but Legler scored. In the 4th, Abby Winterburn had an infield base hit and Brodhead's pitcher, 1st baseman and 2nd baseman all tried to field the ball, so she made it to 1st and scored when Jillian Michaels hit a blooper single over 1st. With the bases loaded, Weber walked to score a teammate and Winterburn scored as well.

"On the night we, as a team, had eight hits. The biggest number that sticks out to me, other than the 11 strikeouts we had, was the number of runners left on base - 13!" said Wunschel. "Five of our third outs were by strikeout, and two of those were non-swinging. The girls need to be better batters in those times, as any ball put in play can make anything happen."

Cassidy Heller was 3x4 with one run scored. Kori Rogers was 2x3 with two runs scored and one stolen base. Jillian Michaels was 2x4 with three RBIs and Abby Winterburn was 1x3 with two runs scored.

Cassidy Heller pitched, giving up six scattered hits through six innings.

Belleville hosted Cambridge on May 15th, will play at Wisconsin Heights on May 17th, and will host Monticello on May 19th.