Division 5 State Softball: Four-run sixth the difference as Oakfield defeats Thorp (2024)

MADISON — Amongst a sea of zeros, ones and a single two on the scoreboard, a number stood out like a sore thumb.

Four.

That was the amount of runs scored by the Oakfield softball team in the sixth inning to provide the difference in a 7-3 Division 5 state semifinal victory over Thorp on Thursday evening at Goodman Diamond.

The top-seeded Oaks (26-3) scored four unearned runs in the bottom of the sixth after the fourth-seeded Cardinals (21-8) tied the game with an unearned run in the top of the inning.

“There’s an old saying — the team that wins the game usually scores more runs in one inning than the other team does the entire game," Thorp coach Kurt Rhyner said. "Today that was true. One big inning.”

The Oaks sent 10 batters to the plate in the sixth, finding the gaps in the Cardinal defense while also taking advantage of some Thorp miscues. After the Cardinals got the opening out two singles and an error loaded the bases with one out. Rhyan Vielbig drove in the go-ahead run on a sacrifice fly and on the same play an errant Thorp throw allowed another run to score. Later in the inning run-scoring singles from Stella Hofman and Aly Lamonska consecutively doubled the advantage to four at 7-3.

“I think the coaches and I and the kids talked, we knew it was going to come our way," Oakfield coach Rob Schaefer said. "We felt comfortable the whole game, it just was an awkward game early on.”

Thorp jumped out to an early lead with a run in the opening inning. Ashlyn Abramczak led off the game with a single, was bunted up to second and moved to third on a groundout before scoring on a passed ball to give the Cardinals an early lead and momentum.

“That always helps. It helps you settle down and everything," Rhyner said of the early run. "I thought our defense played pretty well and I think part of that offensively is coming out and scoring that first run.”

The Cardinals missed a golden opportunity to add to the lead in the third, loading the bases with one out before the Oaks escaped the jam without a run crossing the plate. In the bottom of the inning an RBI double from Alyvia Robinson tied the game and in the fourth Oakfield grabbed its first lead with two runs on a single by Lainey Schepp. Overall the Oaks had 12 hits including four from Lamonska and three by Schepp.

“The tough part about them is if you play in too shallow the ball’s going over your head, if you play too deep the ball’s dropping in," Rhyner said of defending Oakfield. "I thought our pitcher did a great job for most of the game keeping them off balance and that’s when they were just dropping them in. I feel like if I could have coordinated our defense a little better with what a great job she was doing pitching, maybe we get some of those balls. We were just a step away.”

Jasmine Stratton pitched to contact, striking out one while allowing seven runs (three earned) in the circle.

Thorp scratched across solo runs in the fifth and sixth inning to bring the game back even. Abramczak reached on an error and later scored on another Oaks error to get within one before a run-scoring single by Madison Vetterkind plated Emma Leech to tie the game.

“We grew," Rhyner said. "We definitely grew as a team today because we definitely made some mistakes – some baserunning mistakes and some things we’ll learn from but man, what a great opportunity to come down on this stage and say we can play with the best teams in the state and just extend your season and just continue to get better every day.”

Elizabeth Frankewicz and Vetterkind each had two hits for the Cardinals while Abramczak, Stratton and Amy Kotecki each singled. Lamonska allowed three unearned runs for the Oaks with five strikeouts.

Oakfield will play Stevens Point Pacelli Saturday morning for a Division 5 state championship after Pacelli earned a 10-0 win in six innings over Wisconsin Rapids Assumption Friday morning in the other semifinal. Pacelli is the reigning state champion, defeating Oakfield 9-6 last year in the title game.

Earlier Thursday Fall Creek routed Coleman 12-0 in five innings in a Division 4 semifinal and will face Cuba City for the title on Saturday morning. New Richmond fell to Milton 2-1 in 11 innings Thursday in a Division 1 quarterfinal.

Thorp entered state on a roll as winners of nine of their last 10 games. The Cardinals captured their second Division 5 sectional title in three years with an 11-8 win over Mellen.

The Cardinals graduate just one senior from this year's team, but it's a key one with Abby Schultze. The first baseman is a multi-year starter for the team and overcame injuries to post a strong senior season and will play in next week's Wisconsin Fastpitch Softball Coaches Association All-Star Game. Schultze was the final out in the seventh for the Cards.

“She’s a great kid. You always want to be that person in that spot for the final out," Rhyner said of Schultze. "If you strike out it kinda hurts that much more but she’s a great kid, she’ll handle that well. She’s just super proud of her teammates and all that we’ve accomplished.

"She said in the elevator on the way here I really don’t care what happens, it’s the best season we’ve ever had. She (said) I had a ton of fun and I wouldn’t change anything for the world. She’s a great kid.”

Otherwise the team is set to return for 2025 with the rest of its roster intact, including eight starters and 12 of its 13 players overall.

“This group of ladies is amazing," Rhyner said. "They’re here because of their culture, character, work ethic, sense of urgency, their truly love of the game and love for each other. They literally are some of the best kids – and this is no slight to anybody else – they’re just fantastic kids.

"They do everything I ask them to do. They deserved this opportunity. They earned it.”