By Murray Gleffe
Correspondent
GREEN BAY – Genesis Eggart threw a one-hitter, as the No. 5 West De Pere softball team defeated No. 4 Green Bay Preble 6-2 in a WIAA Division regional final game played May 23 at the Finger Road Complex.
The Phantoms advanced to take on No. 8 Kimberly in a sectional semifinal game May 28.
Kimberly shocked No. 1 Ashwaubenon in nine innings, 9-5.
West De Pere pounded out 16 hits in the victory.
“I thought Genesis pitched a great game with the exception of one inning,” said West De Pere head coach Tom Zimdars. “I have a great deal of respect for Green Bay Preble, and you have to play a complete game to knock them off.”
The Phantoms couldn’t have gotten off to a better start on the road.
Alexa Thomson had a lead-off single, and Hannah Bearson and Anna Young followed suit with two blasts to left field.
Starting Hornets pitcher Ally Eden found herself with runners on second and third after a force out.
It was short-lived, as Bearson crossed home plate after a wild pitch.
West De Pere opened the margin in the top of the fourth.
Brianna Destache put down a beautiful bunt and then advanced to second with a stolen base.
Evie Larson-Van Egeren singled to center to send Destache home for a 2-0 lead.
After having no problems in the first three innings, Eggart suddenly couldn’t find the strike zone in the bottom half of the fourth.
During a span of six batters, she walked four. The first of the runners to be walked – Keegan Piton -strolled home from third to cut the margin to 2-1.
A wild pitch brought Lexi Morales home tying the score at two, despite the Hornets not generating a single hit for the game.
“We were pretty fortunate to be deadlocked halfway through the game,” said Preble assistant coach Bill Tomchek. “It was a different sequence of events to see a passed ball and numerous walks to get our two runs. The remainder of the game, however, we couldn’t get our bats going to generate any momentum. Give their pitcher credit.”
West De Pere got an important run in the top of the sixth after Ivy Stary singled to bring Destache home to put the Phantoms back on top 3-2.
Meanwhile, Eggart started finding the plate again as she retired batter after batter.
West De Pere took a one-run lead into the top of the seventh, but once again, the top of the order produced timely pokes.
Thomson, Bearson and Young all got hits to load the bases.
Rebekah Buboltz (nicknamed Petie) then drilled a shot over the centerfielder’s head which brought home all three runners for a 6-2 cushion heading into the bottom half of the inning.
“It couldn’t happen to a better kid,” said Zimdars. “She brings 100 percent attitude to the field and got the hit we needed in the final inning.”
The Hornets did get their first hit of the game in their last at bat, but Eggart made sure there were no more runs scored.
“I came into this program a couple of years ago,” Zimdars added. “To be sitting here today holding up a regional plaque with the kids feels good. We aren’t going to stop here. We’re going to enjoy this for a bit and then get back to work and prepare for our next opponent.”
Box score
West De Pere: 100 101 3—6
Preble: 000 200 0—2