By Murray Gleffe
Correspondent
ASHWAUBENON – Lauren Dixon pitched a three hitter (complete game) as the Pulaski softball team defeated Ashwaubenon 2-0 in a May 11 game at Pioneer Park in which Pulaski was designated the home team.
The loss by the Jaguars was their first in-state loss of the season and first Fox River Classic Conference defeat.
“We’ve been working really hard in practice on going opposite field to get base runners on,” said Pulaski head coach Billi Jo Vertz. “We executed well today; especially in the third inning where we advanced runners with some strategic hitting.”
Through two and one-half innings, each team had generated a single apiece with no runs scored.
That changed in the bottom of the third with the Red Raiders (16-4, 13-2) up to bat.
Freshman Brynn Egnarski led off with a single down the first-base line against Ashwaubenon pitcher Kate Cleveland.
A sacrifice bunt by Taylor Williquette advanced Egnarski to second.
Mackenzie Niespodzany then produced the game’s first RBI after doubling to center, sending Egnarski home to put Pulaski up 1-0.
With one out, Peighton Agamite laced an opposite-field triple that stayed in fair territory by a foot.
The ball scurried around the side fence before being sent in. By that time, Niespodzany had scored giving the Red Raiders a 2-0 lead.
“Mackenzie took some hard-and-in pitches, and she gave us some great at-bats today,” added Vertz. “That third inning was key for us to get a lead at Ashwaubenon and not play from behind against a very good team.”
Pulaski starting pitcher Lauren Dixon continued her success on the mound, retiring batter after batter.
“Our team really came together today,” said Dixon. “Our infield and outfield made some great catches and throws to get outs versus Ashwaubenon. We had a drive and determination to win this game.”
In the top of the sixth, Ashwaubenon’s Chloe Brabant doubled to put a runner on, but the Jaguars (18-2, 14-1 FRCC) were unable to muster any additional hits the remainder of the game.
“They (Pulaski) found the gaps today and put the ball in play,” said Ashwaubenon head coach Shannon VanLaanen. “We just couldn’t generate any multiple hits against Dixon. We have to get back to focusing next week on winning a conference championship. That’s all we’re talking about at this point.”
The Red Raiders pulled to within one game of the Jaguars with three games remaining for both teams in the FRCC race.
Box score
Ashwaubenon: 000 000 0—0
Pulaski: 002 000 x—2