Post Messenger Recorder -

The Belleville Lady Wildcats played a double header at Wisconsin Heights on May 6th.

"We came out a bit short losing both, 1-5, and 2-3. We were right there!!" reported Coach Connie Wunschel.

In game one, the team only managed 4 base runners in the game as the Heights pitcher took over and struck out 6 of the first 7 batters. In the 4th inning, Bailey Legler hit a triple to right and CC Grefsheim then hit a hard grounder to score Bailey.

"Raina Nicholson got her first start on the field and played an awesome right field for us," said Wunschel. "She was our little spark plug. Bailey Legler and Jillian Michaels did some really nice things on defense, as well."

Bailey Legler had 2 hits while CC Grefsheim had 1.

Maddie Weber pitched and struck out 2 while giving up 5 runs, 4 earned, on 7 hits.

Game two was closer.

"We just needed one more hit, one more defensive play and we had it!" said Wunschel.

Heights scored 2 runs in the 1st, and the Lady Wildcats came back in the bottom of the 1st when Ella Campbell walked, with Kori Rogers hitting a sacrifice bunt to move her to 2nd base and Bailey Legler hitting a high pop up which the Heights 1st baseman dropped so Campbell scored. Campbell scored again in the 2nd inning due to some teamwork by Rogers, Legler and Raina Nicholson.

"In the top of the 5th inning Heights scored 1 more run. With one out (on a really great catch by Raina) the next batter hit a shot up the middle that CC just missed catching in front of her. Runner moved to 2nd on a wild pitch. Next batter had an infield hit when Jillian dove to her left to get the ball, but couldn't get back up to make a throw. Kept the runner at 2nd, though! But, the next batter, who had the double in the 1st inning to score the 2 runs, came up and smacked another hit to right center. The runner from 2nd scored, but a great relay to Bailey allowed her to throw home to Ella and get the runner from first out. That was a big play," said Wunschel.

Ella Campbell and Jenna Shrader each had 1 hit during the game.

Maddie Weber struck out 1 from the mound and walked 2.

It was a very well-played game against a very good team," added Wunschel. "We need to take this into our next games and keep getting better heading into tournament."

On May 7th, Belleville played at Cambridge and won, 11-10.

The first score was by Jillian Michaels, who stole home to score. In the top of the third, five Lady Wildcats scored to give the team a 6-0 lead. Cambridge came back in the 3rd to score 3 and Belleville answered back with 1 in the 4th. In the bottom of the 4th, Cambridge took advantage of a momentum swing to put 4 players over home plate to tie the game. In the 7th, Belleville inched ahead by 1. Cambridge made it 10-11 and with the bases loaded, Jillian Michaels fielded a grounder and got the ball to Callie Everson at 1st to end the game.

Ella Campbell and Kori Rogers were 2x3 at bat, with Campbell scoring 2 runs and Rogers scoring 1. CC Grefsheim and Jenna Shrader went 2x4 at bat, with Grefsheim scoring 2 runs and Shrader scoring 1. Bailey Legler was 3x5, scoring 1 run with 1 RBI.

"Jillian Michaels was only 1-4, but the two times she was on base she made things happen and scored both times," said Wunschel. "She had 3 stolen bases."

Maddie Weber pitched the entire game for Belleville, striking out 8, walking 8, hitting 2, giving up 10 hits and 10 runs, 3 earned.

On May 10th, Belleville played against Waterloo, losing 3-8.

Waterloo began the scoring in the 3rd inning, but Belleville quickly took the lead away. However, Waterloo kept the Lady Wildcats off the bases for most of the remainder of the game which ended their opportunities to score.

Ella Campbell, Kori Rogers, Bailey Legler, Raina Nicholson, CC Grefsheim and Jenna Shrader each had 1 hit.

Maddie Weber pitched, striking out 5, walking 5 and giving up 8 hits and 8 runs.

On May 11th, Belleville faced Cambridge again, winning 5-4.

"Everyone did a nice job as we only had 1 error and managed 9 hits," said Wunschel. "It was long ball day as we had 3 home runs!"

With a 3-2 lead in the 4th, Jillian Michaels hit a home run, followed by Bailey Legler hitting a home run of her own. Michaels hit another home run in the 6th inning.

Jillian Michaels was 3x3 at the plate, scoring 3 runs and 3 RBI. Ella Campbell was 2x4 with 1 run scored, Bailey Legler went 2x4 with 1 run scored and an RBI and Raina Nicholson and Callie Everson each got a hit apiece.

Maddie Weber struck out 8 from the mound for Belleville.

The Lady Wildcats then played a game against Marshall on May 11th, losing 6-11.

Marshall scored 3 runs right away which was quickly answered with 2 runs by the Lady Wildcats. Belleville scored again in the 4th inning and another in the 6th and 7th innings.

CC Grefsheim was 2x2 with 1 run scored and 1 RBI while Jillian Michaels was 1x3 with 1 run scored and 2 RBI and Bailey Legler was 1x2 with 2 runs scored. Ella Campbell, Jenna Shrader and Callie Everson each had 1 hit each.

Maddie Weber pitched 4 1/3 innings, striking out 1, walking 1 and giving up 6 hits and 6 runs. Abby Winterburn took over for Weber on the mound, striking out 2, walking 3 and gave up 7 hits and 5 runs.

On Tuesday, May 14th, the Lady Wildcats played the Lady Knights and then move on to Regionals. Belleville is seeded #4 for Division 3 and will host #5 seed Clinton on May 21st. The winner of that game will play on May 23rd.