By Rich Palzewic
Sports Editor

DE PERE – The De Pere/West De Pere softball game May 9 turned into a pitcher’s duel with 30-mph winds making conditions difficult.

De Pere freshman Reese Falish outdueled West De Pere junior Nevaeh Wagendorf on the mound in the Redbirds’ 1-0 nonconference victory.

Falish gave up three hits and struck out six, while Wagendorf surrendered four hits and struck out four.

De Pere freshman softball pitcher Reese Falish allowed only three hits and struck out six in the Redbirds’ 1-0 nonconference victory May 9 over West De Pere. Rich Palzewic Photo

Neither pitcher walked a batter in the 70-minute game.

“What a fun game to watch – the pace was good,” De Pere Head Coach Travis Piper said. “Hats off to both teams for pitching well and playing great defense. (West De Pere Head Coach) Jennifer (Timm) does a great job with her club. I’ll take 70 degrees and wind over 40 degrees and wind.”

The Redbirds scored the only run of the game in the bottom of the fifth inning.

Julianne Bradford led off with a single before being sacrificed to second by Alexandria Stathas.

Ava Grant then brought home Bradford with an RBI single to left.

The Phantoms’ best chance to score was in the top of the fourth inning.

Karleigh Linssen led off with a single and stole second on a strikeout.

After being sacrificed to third, Falish coaxed a groundball to end the inning.

Falish said it was difficult to pitch in such windy conditions.

“The ball was moving a lot,” she said. “I’ve never thrown in such windy conditions. You have to take your time and make sure you have good control of the ball. Pitching in windy conditions can be intimidating, but with a great defense behind me, it was easy to pitch.”

Piper said he was also impressed with Falish.

“(Falish) is coming around as the season continues,” he said. “She doesn’t compose herself on the mound like a freshman.”

Piper said the rivalry with West De Pere is fun, so he was glad the teams played, despite the windy conditions.

“We hope to make the rivalry bigger next year,” he said. “I’ve worked with some of the West De Pere kids in the past before taking the De Pere job. Obviously, it makes it a little sweeter we won.”