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Pulaski softball advances to state semifinals

By Rich Palzewic
Sports Editor


MADISON – The Pulaski softball team is moving on in the WIAA Division 1 state softball tournament.

The Red Raiders defeated Wilmot Union 1-0 in the state quarterfinals in Madison at the Goodman Softball Complex June 6.

Pulaski will play Sun Prairie Friday, June 7, at 9 p.m. in the semifinals.

It marked the fourth time overall and first time since 2016 that the Red Raiders made an appearance in the state tournament.

“Our girls come to play every game,” said Pulaski head coach Billi Jo Vertz. “It wasn’t our goal just to make it to state – we want to win. We are a team that is willing to take some risks. The girls are willing to fail in order to succeed.”

The win for Pulaski (24-5) avenged an earlier-season 1-0 loss to the Panthers (18-10).

“The difference between our earlier-season loss to them and the game today was our defense and timely hitting,” Vertz said. “If you don’t play clean against good teams, you’re the one going home. You can handle losing if you play clean and the other team beats you.”

Pulaski got on the board in the fourth inning after Josie Wesolowski led off with a triple and was knocked in by a Peighton Agamaite RBI single to left for the only run of the game.

“I knew the pitcher was going to be throwing balls higher on us, and a lot of girls were getting tricked on that,” said the senior Wesolowski, who ended the game with a putout in right field. “I was trying to clear my mind and stick to the mechanics. When I got the triple I was so happy, and then Peighton came up clutch and got the hit. Our defense held up strong and [Pulaski starting pitcher] Lauren [Dixon] pitched great.”

Dixon gave up only four hits, struck out one, walked one and hit a batter.

“I took it one step at a time,” said the lefty Dixon. “My defense did great behind me, and I just controlled my nerves. Once I was in the game, it felt like any other game. Getting the one run in the fourth took the pressure off.”

Wilmot had a runner at third with two outs in the sixth but failed to score.

“Lauren pitched a great game today,” said Vertz. “She kept the ball low. Our goal was to hold them to singles and she did that. Her changeup was effective, and it kept Wilmot off-balance.”

The only other inning the Panthers threatened was in the fourth when they recorded a pair of hits and a walk, but Red Raiders catcher Hannah Kreuser gunned down a runner trying to steal second to give Dixon a boost.

Kreuser also threw out another would-be stealer in the third to end the inning.

Neither team committed an error in the game, and there were a combined eight hits.

Kenzie Niespodzany led off the game with a single for Pulaski, while Kam Brockman had the other hit.

“This is a fun team,” added Vertz. “They’ll probably sing some songs and stay lose until the semifinals. We will feed them – they like that. We will look to get some field time somewhere, and we will be ready to rock again.”

Box score

Pulaski: 000 100 0
Wilmot Union: 000 000 0

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