2012 year-in- review below
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Ten members of the 2012 Chequamegon High School softball team earned National Fastpitch Coaches Association All-America Scholar Athlete awards with grade point averages of 3.5 of higher. From left are Brianna Mader, Michelle Lobermeier, Makayla Casey, Megan Mader, Danielle Masterson, and Morgan Hilgart. Not pictured are Mary Gehrman, Latasha Schloer, Erica Wthey, and Kristen Pechacek. As seniors, Gehrman, Schloer, and Withey also earned Wisconsin Fastpitch Coaches Association Academic All-State Awards.
withey named to wfsca north central district team
Senior Erica Withey of the Chequamegon High School softball team was named to the Wisconsin Fastpitch Softball Coaches Association North Central District team for the 2012 season.
“Truly deserved,” Screaming Eagles’ Coach Ken Dischler said. “Erica had a monster senior season to cap a great career.” Withey helped the Screaming Eagles to an 18-10 record, a share of the Marawood North Conference championship, and a regional championship this season. In her four years, she played on teams which compiled an overall record of 64-38 and won three regional titles. Her teams were 31-9 in MNC games, winning conference titles her freshman and senior seasons. Withey led the Screaming Eagles in batting average (.467), hits (42) and runs batted in (29) this season. For her career, she hit .410. “Erica really stepped up offensively this season. Where she truly shines is on defense,” Dischler said. “She’s an exceptional defensive player. In her four seasons, she had just five errors in 546 chances (.991) and saved countless errors with her glove at first base.” This season she fielded .989 with just two errors in 183 chances and filled in at shortstop when needed. Withey was one of nine infielders named to the North Central District team. Four infielders from the district team – two from Div. 3 champion Stevens Point Pacelli and two from Div. 1 Stevens Point – were named to the WFSCA all-state team. Also named to the district team from the MNC were Breann Zenner (outfield) and Kyncaide Diedrich (utility) of Athens. |
Eight Screaming eagles earn all-mnc softball honors
The Marawood North Conference co-champion Chequamegon High School softball team had eight players earn spots on the 2012 MNC softball team.
Seniors Tasha Schloer and Erica Withey, sophomore Kristen Pechacek and freshman Megan Mader were named to the first team.
Sophomore Brianna Mader and freshman Danielle Masterson landed spots on the second team.
Senior Mary Gehrman and freshman Michelle Lobermeier earned honorable mention.
Athens, which shared the MNC title with Chequamegon, both with 9-1 league marks, swept top honors in the conference with freshman Kyncaide Diedrich earning Player of the Year honors and Craig Diedrich selected as Coach of the Year.
Withey was third in hitting in the MNC with a .605 average and led the MNC in hits with 23. Her 13 RBI tied for fourth in MNC play and she tied for fifth in runs scored with 13. She was perfect in the field on 69 chances.
“We feel Erica was deserving of Player of the Year. She pounded the ball and had clutch hits throughout the year. She had three or more hits against each of the MNC teams and finished 17-of-19 over the final six games,” Screaming Eagles' Coach Ken Dischler said. “Erica was possibly the best defensive player in the conference, but that side of the ball isn’t given enough credit. She had no errors this season and saved several others with her glove, which helped us field .953 as a team in conference games. In her four seasons, she fielded .991. She committed just five errors on 546 chances; that’s mind-boggling.”
Pechacek led the conference in batting with a .656 average and was second in hits with 21. Her 13 runs scored tied for fifth in the MNC and her 11 RBI tied for sixth. She fielded .923.
“KP had a super season. She was possibly the most complete hitter in the conference. She also drew seven walks and struck out just once. Her on-base percentage was .725,” Dischler said.
Schloer repeated as an MNC first-teamer after earning second-team honors as a sophomore.
“LT’s average (.306) was down, but she was clutch with 11 RBI (tied sixth in the MNC). She fielded .981 and called pitches for all of our games,” Dischler said. “She had a great career, hitting .471 with 37 RBI in 40 MNC games over three seasons.”
Megan Mader was 6-1 in MNC games, beating each conference opponent at least once. She led the MNC with a 1.70 earned run average and opponents hit just .195 against her. She fanned 33 and walked six in 33 innings and had a .088 WHIP. She batted .316 in MNC games.
“Megan got her career off to a good start as one of the top pitchers in the league,” Dischler said. “She’ll be a force to be reckoned with for the next three seasons.”
Brianna Mader just missed first-team honors. She finished 3-0 with one save and ranked fourth with a 3.86 ERA. Opponents hit .285 against her. She batted .269 in league games.
“Bri and Megan gave us a great 1-2 punch in the circle and really complemented each other,” Dischler said.
Masterson ranked seventh in MNC batting with a .458 average and drove in eight runs. She fielded .912 at shortstop.
Lobermeier was ninth in MNC batting with a .407 average and drew 10 walks for a .568 on-base percentage. She fielded 1.000.
Gehrman’s season was cut short by injury, but she played in seven league games, hitting .318 and playing errorless ball.
“Danielle had a great rookie campaign, as did Michelle. Michelle just missed a spot on the second team. They’ll be a big part of what we hope will be some exciting times for Screaming Eagles’ softball over the next few years,” Dischler said. “Losing Mary for the remainder of the season was a blow, but she was a great asset as a captain in our run for conference and regional championships.”
Others earning first-team honors were Shelly Kneifl of Abbotsford, Alyssa Diers and Breann Zenner of Athens, Kendra Brown of Phillips, and Sarah Petkau of Rib Lake.
Others named to the second team were Kylie Gonnering of Abbotsford, Maranda Kottke, Casie Hieronimus and Rylee Ellenbecker of Athens, Annika Neerdaels of Phillips, Sophie Krueger of Prentice, and Moriah Main and Anna Klemann of Rib Lake.
Morgan Schillinger and Courtney Baratka earned honorable mention for Phillips and Audrey Moritz and Taylor Carlson did so for Prentice. Others earning honorable mention were Precious Simmons and Brooklyn Gudnerson of Abbotsford, McKenzie Brodziski and Lexy Belter of Athens, and Carissa Budimlija of Rib Lake.
Seniors Tasha Schloer and Erica Withey, sophomore Kristen Pechacek and freshman Megan Mader were named to the first team.
Sophomore Brianna Mader and freshman Danielle Masterson landed spots on the second team.
Senior Mary Gehrman and freshman Michelle Lobermeier earned honorable mention.
Athens, which shared the MNC title with Chequamegon, both with 9-1 league marks, swept top honors in the conference with freshman Kyncaide Diedrich earning Player of the Year honors and Craig Diedrich selected as Coach of the Year.
Withey was third in hitting in the MNC with a .605 average and led the MNC in hits with 23. Her 13 RBI tied for fourth in MNC play and she tied for fifth in runs scored with 13. She was perfect in the field on 69 chances.
“We feel Erica was deserving of Player of the Year. She pounded the ball and had clutch hits throughout the year. She had three or more hits against each of the MNC teams and finished 17-of-19 over the final six games,” Screaming Eagles' Coach Ken Dischler said. “Erica was possibly the best defensive player in the conference, but that side of the ball isn’t given enough credit. She had no errors this season and saved several others with her glove, which helped us field .953 as a team in conference games. In her four seasons, she fielded .991. She committed just five errors on 546 chances; that’s mind-boggling.”
Pechacek led the conference in batting with a .656 average and was second in hits with 21. Her 13 runs scored tied for fifth in the MNC and her 11 RBI tied for sixth. She fielded .923.
“KP had a super season. She was possibly the most complete hitter in the conference. She also drew seven walks and struck out just once. Her on-base percentage was .725,” Dischler said.
Schloer repeated as an MNC first-teamer after earning second-team honors as a sophomore.
“LT’s average (.306) was down, but she was clutch with 11 RBI (tied sixth in the MNC). She fielded .981 and called pitches for all of our games,” Dischler said. “She had a great career, hitting .471 with 37 RBI in 40 MNC games over three seasons.”
Megan Mader was 6-1 in MNC games, beating each conference opponent at least once. She led the MNC with a 1.70 earned run average and opponents hit just .195 against her. She fanned 33 and walked six in 33 innings and had a .088 WHIP. She batted .316 in MNC games.
“Megan got her career off to a good start as one of the top pitchers in the league,” Dischler said. “She’ll be a force to be reckoned with for the next three seasons.”
Brianna Mader just missed first-team honors. She finished 3-0 with one save and ranked fourth with a 3.86 ERA. Opponents hit .285 against her. She batted .269 in league games.
“Bri and Megan gave us a great 1-2 punch in the circle and really complemented each other,” Dischler said.
Masterson ranked seventh in MNC batting with a .458 average and drove in eight runs. She fielded .912 at shortstop.
Lobermeier was ninth in MNC batting with a .407 average and drew 10 walks for a .568 on-base percentage. She fielded 1.000.
Gehrman’s season was cut short by injury, but she played in seven league games, hitting .318 and playing errorless ball.
“Danielle had a great rookie campaign, as did Michelle. Michelle just missed a spot on the second team. They’ll be a big part of what we hope will be some exciting times for Screaming Eagles’ softball over the next few years,” Dischler said. “Losing Mary for the remainder of the season was a blow, but she was a great asset as a captain in our run for conference and regional championships.”
Others earning first-team honors were Shelly Kneifl of Abbotsford, Alyssa Diers and Breann Zenner of Athens, Kendra Brown of Phillips, and Sarah Petkau of Rib Lake.
Others named to the second team were Kylie Gonnering of Abbotsford, Maranda Kottke, Casie Hieronimus and Rylee Ellenbecker of Athens, Annika Neerdaels of Phillips, Sophie Krueger of Prentice, and Moriah Main and Anna Klemann of Rib Lake.
Morgan Schillinger and Courtney Baratka earned honorable mention for Phillips and Audrey Moritz and Taylor Carlson did so for Prentice. Others earning honorable mention were Precious Simmons and Brooklyn Gudnerson of Abbotsford, McKenzie Brodziski and Lexy Belter of Athens, and Carissa Budimlija of Rib Lake.
The Chequamegon Screaming Eagles shared the Marawood North Conference championship in 2012. In the front row from left are Ashley Canik, Mary Gehrman, Tasha Schloer and Erica Withey. In the back row from left are Brianna Mader, Kristen Pechacek, Jamie Palecek, Michelle Lobermeier, Morgan Hilgart, Danielle Masterson, Megan Mader, and Makayla Casey.
Screaming Eagles post 18-10 record in 2012; reclaim regional championship
The Chequamegon High School softball team finished the 2102 campaign with an 18-10 record and the program’s fourth regional championship over the past five seasons.
The Screaming Eagles got off to a slow start with a 1-5 record in their first six games; then won 17 of their final 22 contests. Their season ended with a 10-1 loss at Grantsburg in Div. 3 sectional play.
Thorp 14, Chequamegon 3
Chequamegon completed a whirlwind first week with a 1-5 record, playing one-fourth of its schedule in the first six days.
“We really learned a lot about ourselves this first week. Now, we have a few days of practices to iron out some wrinkles,” Screaming Eagles’ Coach Ken Dischler said.
The Screaming Eagles got off to a rocky start in their season opener on Monday, April 9, giving up 10 unearned runs in a 14-3 loss to visiting Thorp at the Park Falls Athletic Complex.
"Seven unearned runs in the first two innings were way too much to overcome," Dischler said.
Thorp put up two runs in the first inning, but Chequamegon answered in its half of the inning on an RBI single by Erica Withey, who then scored on an error.
Two errors and two walks led to five second-inning runs for the Cardinals. and a walk and a two-run home run by Lyndsey Jacks put Thorp ahead 10-2.
Chequamegon put two on with two out in the third ahead of Kristen Pechacek's RBI double deep to left field in its half of the third inning.
"Kristen gave it a ride but it was just short of going out -- 10-5 vs. 10-3 is a big difference when you're trying to climb back into a game," Dischler said.
Thorp added a solo run in the fourth inning. A passed ball, a wild pitch and two walks helped fuel a four-run fifth for the Cardinals.
We'll learn how important the little things are at the varsity level - not allowing extra bases is huge," Dischler said. "We've got a really tough first-week schedule, but it will make us a much stronger team as we grow."
Withey paced a six-hit attack for the Screaming Eagles with two singles and an RBI.
Ladysmith 5, Chequamegon 3
The Screaming Eagles lost 5-3 at Ladysmith on Tuesday, April 10.
“We outhit them 11-5, but left 13 runners stranded. They made the most of their hits and we left a buffet of scoring opportunities on the table,” Dischler said.
Tasha Schloer’s RBI double plated Michelle Lobermeier in the first inning. A single by Withey and a dropped third strike loaded the bases before a line drive out ended the threat.
Chequamegon left the bases loaded again in the third inning, without denting the scoreboard.
Ladysmith filled the sacks in the bottom of the fourth on an error and two singles before Pechacek forced out a runner at home. The Jills scored their first run on a walk and tacked on two on a single by Tiffany Nelson.
A single and two errors led to two Ladysmith runs in the bottom of the fifth.
“Their hits were grouped with a couple walks and errors. We beat ourselves in this one,” Dischler said.
Chequamegon had a runner cut down at the plate in the fifth and had the bases loaded with just one out in the sixth but failed to score.
The Screaming Eagles mounted a two-out rally in the seventh. Ashley Canik doubled and advanced on a single by Morgan Hilgart. Danielle Masterson drove in both with a single and Lobermeier singled before the Jills coaxed the final out.
Lobermeier, Schloer and Masterson had two hits each for Chequamegon.
Megan Mader took the loss, giving up three runs in four innings of work on four hits, four walks and four strikeouts. Brianna Mader was touched for two unearned runs in two innings on one hit, one walk and one K.
Athens 15, Chequamegon 9
A nine-run fifth doomed the Screaming Eagles in their Marawood North Conference opener at 10th-ranked Athens on Friday, April 13.
An error preceeded Alyssa Diers’ two-run homer in the Athens’ half of the first inning.
Chequamegon knotted the score in its half of the second on RBI singles by Megan Mader and Masterson, and tallied five third-inning runs . Megan Mader and Jamie Palecek had RBI singles in the third, with Mary Gehrman, Brianna Mader and Lobermeier also knocking base hits.
A throwing error led to the first two runs in a four-run third inning for Athens.
Withey opened the fourth inning with a double and scored on a bases-loaded walk to Masterson. Chequamegon left the sacks dripping.
Athens grouped eight hits with two errors and a walk to tally nine times in the pivotal fifth.
“They got bats on a couple good pitches and everything they hit in that inning found a hole,” Dischler said. “We outhit them 13-12 and hit a lot of shots right at them, and again we stranded 13 runners; definitely a game we could have won.”
Lobermeier, Palecek, Withey, Megan Mader and Masterson had two hits each for the Screaming Eagles, with Mader and Masterson driving in two each. Pechacek scored twice.
The loss went to Megan Mader, who worked 4-1/3 innings, allowing nine hits and two walks and fanning one. Brianna Mader gave up three hits and fanned two in 1-2/3 innings.
“Five errors led to nine unearned runs and that was the difference in the game,” Dischler said.
Chequamegon 7, Wausau West 3
The Screaming Eagles rolled right over to play three games in the Wausau West Warrior Invitational on Saturday, April 14, facing two Div. 1opponents and one Div. 2 foe.
Brianna Mader threw just 85 pitches as the Screaming Eagles broke into the win column with a 7-3 victory over the host Warriors. Wausau West rapped 11 hits and Mader fanned two and walked just one – the second-last batter in the game.
“Bri threw a gem. She was ahead in the count throughout the game and her defense played nearly flawless behind her,” Dischler said. “Offensively, we executed. We had five sacrifices and scored off three of those.”
Chequamegon got on the board first as Lobermeier walked and Palecek reached on an error ahead of an RBI double by Schloer. Withey followed with a sacrifice fly.
Wausau West scored in the second but Chequamegon came back with two in the third on an RBI ground out by Withey and a squeeze bunt by Gehrman to score Makayla Casey.
Canik singled and stole second ahead of Lobermeier’s clutch two-out, two-strike single in the fourth.
The Warriors closed to 5-2 with a home run in the fifth.
Megan Mader walked to open the Chequamegon sixth and advanced on Canik’s sacrifice bunt. She scored on a suicide squeeze bunt by Hilgart.
An RBI single by Withey plated Palecek to give Cheqamegon a 7-2 cushion, needing just three outs for the win.
Three singles and the lone walk led to a run and loaded the bases, bringing the potential tying run to the plate before a ground out to Hilgart at third base ended the game.
“Huge for us to get this win,” Dischler said. “We were short two starters for this game and each of the 10 players played a part. We stepped up and made some plays and it paid off.”
Schloer went 3-for-3 with two doubles and Palecek scored three times. WIthey drove in runs in three of her four plate appearances.
DC Everest 10, Chequamegon 0
Schofield D.C. Everest scored four runs in both the fifth and sixth innings to pull away for a 10-0 victory behind the no-hit pitching of Megan Mathies.
A walk preceeded Alayna Krejci’s home run to give the Evergreens a 2-0 lead in the first.
Megan Mader and Canik reached on errors to open the Chequamegon third but Mathies worked out of it.
The Evergreens tallied five hits in the fifth and five in the sixth to end the game via the 10-run rule.
“Megan threw well and we played toe-to-toe with them through 4-1/2 innings. The girls played another solid defensive game. But for a walk and a fly ball that dropped in that we should have caught, it could very well have been 3-0 late into the game,” Dischler said. “Mathies threw a nice game for them. We put the ball in play, but weren’t driving anything. It was a good challenge for us.
Mosinee 7, Chequamegon 1
Chequamegon closed the day at Wausau West with a 7-1 loss to Mosinee, which broke open a 1-1 game with six runs in the bottom of the fifth inning.
“We need to get out of innings,” Dischler said. “Big innings have killed us in all of our losses. I’m confident we’ll learn to manage those situations better.”
Mosinee tallied once in the fourth before Hilgart reached on a two-out error in the top of the fifth. She stole second and scored on Palecek’s RBI single.
Two errors opened the door for Mosinee’s six-run outburst. Just three of Mosinee’s seven runs were earned.
Brianna Mader fanned four and allowed eight hits in five innings. Megan Mader allowed one hit and fanned one in a scoreless sixth.
“Lots of good things from Saturday,” Dischler said. ‘”Walks were minimal – but still costly – and we played solid defense but for one of 19 innings. Danielle Masterson went down with an ankle injury late in Friday’s game and we were minus another starter in the infield so we had to do some shuffling. Erika did a great job in her first full games at short, Mary Gehrman was flawless at second all day, Mo (Hilgart) had a couple blips but was solid at third and Michelle was rock solid at first. Jamie took charge in the outfield with Mo and Michelle moving to the infield, and Ashley, Megan, Bri and Makayla stepped up at her flanks. We got better, stronger and deeper.”
Gehrman had five putouts and three assists against Wausau West, Megan Mader had seven assists and a putout in the circle against D.C. Everest, and Withey had six assists and two putouts against Mosinee. Schloer caught all three games and threw out two of four runners attempting to steal.
Chequamegon 12, Abbotsford 2
The Screaming Eagles won a pair in the midst of a 10-game road swing with a pair of Marawood Conference victories.
Chequamegon held a 3-0 lead entering the sixth inning at Abbotsford. Casey drove in a run with her first varsity hit, a two-out, two-strike single, in the second inning, plating Pechacek, who had doubled and stolen third.
Canik singled, stole second and scored on Withey’s RBI single in the Chequamegon third.
In the fourth. Casey reached on an error, advanced onHilgart’s single, and scored on an infield ground out off Palecek’s bat.
Meanwhile, Megan Mader was cruising with seven strikeouts and two hits allowed through five frames.
Singles to open the sixth by Brianna Mader and Hilgart set the table for Palecek’s two-run base hit. Schloer followed later with an RBI double and Withey delivered another run-scoring single.
“We strung a few hits there and I felt a whole lot better at 7-0,” Dischler said.
An error cracked the door open for the Falcons in the bottom of the sixth and Abby closed to 7-2.
“They got a couple bleeders off Megan so we turned to Bri. She slammed the door shut with a pair of punchouts,” Dischler said.
Chequamegon tallied five in the seventh with Schloer plating three with a bases-loaded double and Withey knocking in a run.
“After a slow start, LT ripped a pair of doubles, and Erica had three RBI singles – some nice hitting there,” Dischler said.
Brianna Mader fanned two more in the seventh, striking out four of the five batters she faced. Megan Mader fanned eight. Abby scratched out just four hits and one walk.
“Both girls threw very well. They needed just 88 pitches and threw 67 of those for strikes,” Dischler said. “”We challenged them to go after hitters and they rose to the challenge.”
Pechacek was 3-for-3 with a double, Withey was 3-for-5 with three RBI, Schloer was 2-for-5 with four runs batted in, and Palecek had two hits and three RBI. Hilgart added two of Chequamegon’s 16 hits.
Chequamegon 6, Rib Lake 7 (8)
The Screaming Eagles pounced early in Rib Lake, scoring five runs in the top of the first. Withey plated one run with a ground out and Pechacek, Gehrman, Mader and Hilgart had RBI hits, followed by a single by Masterson. Gehrman and Mader had doubles.
“For the first time this season, we opened with a big inning,” Dischler said. “Michelle opened the game with a walk and LT reached on an error and then the bats woke up.”
Withey and Pechacek hit back-to-back doubles for a second-inning run and a couple errors in the third put Chequamegon up 7-0.
Rib Lake responded with four runs in its half of the third.
“Calls on a couple close plays went their way and then they strung a couple of hits,” Dischler said. “Bri could well have been out of the inning with a shutout intact.”
Rib Lake added a run in the fourth and got its lead runner on to open the sixth. Megan Mader fanned the next two hitters before a triple by Hannah Schmidtfranz made it a one-run game.
“We missed an opportunity for a big inning in the fifth where we could have put the game away. They scratched some things out and got it back to even,” Dischler said.
Sarah Petkau singled in the tying run in the top of the seventh and was on second with no outs and third with one away. Megan Mader got the next hitter looking and induced a ground out to end the threat.
“Meg took care of business there,” Dischler said. “We needed the punchout big-time.”
Schloer singled to open the eighth inning for Chequamegon ahead of a screaming line-drive out off Withey’s bat. Pechacek and Gehrman followed with clutch singles to load the bases and Schloer scored the game-winning run on Megan Mader’s sacrifice fly to right.
Megan Mader retired Rib Lake on three infield ground outs in the bottom of the eighth.
“Bri and Megan pounded the strike zone again, throwing 79 strikes on 98 pitches with no walks. Bri picked Megan up against Abby, and Megan had Bri’s back against Rib Lake. The girls played solid defense behind them both nights. That’s a good formula for success,” Dischler said.
Pechacek went 4-for-5 with two RBI and Gehrman, Lobermeier and Masterson had two hits each in the 15-hit attack by Chequamegon.
“Kristen is swinging the bat really well – 7-for-8 over two games – and we hit the ball throughout the order in both games. Hopefully we can keep that going,” Dischler said.
Chequamegon 15, Drummond 0
The Screaming Eagles pounced for 10 first-inning runs in a 15-0 drubbing of Drummond on Tuesday, April 24, at Grand View.
Megan and Brianna Mader teamed in the circle for the shutout. Megan Mader worked four innings, allowing four hits and fanning four, and Brianna Mader worked a scoreless fifth, fanning two and allowing three hits.
Withey had three of Chequamegon’s 12 hits, driving in three runs. Casey, Gerhman and Masterson drove in two runs each. Withey drove in three runs in the first inning with a pair of doubles. Casey hit a two-run double in the fourth inning.
“This was an all-around victory – pitching, defense and offense,” Dischler said. “Our 10-spot in the first pretty much took them out of the game, and Megan and Bri – backed by flawless defense – shut them down.”
Chequamegon 8, Phillips 2
Chequamegon scored three times in the sixth inning and twice in the seventh to pull away for an 8-2 MNC victory at Phillips on Thursday, April 26.
Gehrman’s two-run double capped a three-run first inning for the Screaming Eagles. Phillips tallied two in its half of the first with a double by Courtney Baratka and an RBI single by Allison Roush.
From there, Brianna Mader blanked the Loggers, setting down 18 in a row until Katie Frase’s two-out single in the bottom of the seventh. Mader spun a four-hitter, walking one and fanning three.
“Bri really threw well. She pounded the strike zone,” Dischler said.
Brianna Mader doubled and Hilgart singled ahead of Masterson’s two-run double, and Lobermeier’s RBI single in the sixth. Gehrman singled home a run in the seventh.
“This was a must game for us heading into Monday’s rematch with Athens. Phillips has some quality players and we needed to be on top of our game,” Dischler said.
Tomahawk 5, Chequamegon 4
Tomahawk posted four runs in the bottom of the first and added a solo run in the second which proved to be just enough to secure a 5-4 non-conference victory on Friday, April 27.
“Some things never change. We had a long-standing rivalry with Tomahawk when we were in the Lumberjack Conference and we get them twice this season. It was tooth-and-nail again,” Dischler said.
Canik reached on an error and scored on Withey’s RBI single in a two-run first for the Screaming Eagles.
Tomahawk answered with four in the bottom of the first, stringing four hits with a walk.
“They didn’t hit anything hard, but found the right spots. We were just a bit flat-footed. Four road games in five days – including two must-win conference games - is a challenge for any team, but it’s one we expect to answer. To our girls’ credit, we could easily have tucked our tails, but we battled back and were in position to win,” Dischler said.
A leadoff walk led to a second-inning run for Tomahawk, but the Screaming Eagles got out of a bases-loaded, one-out jam.
Two errors led to two Chequamegon runs in the fourth, with Lobermeier driving in a run on a ground out and Schloer singling home a run to pull Chequamegon within one at 5-4.
After 1-1/3 innings, Megan Mader set down 14 of 15 Tomahawk batters.
“Megan threw really well. Early on, she needed to be a bit better on a couple pitches and her defense needed to be a step quicker on a couple opportunities – all the little things; a game where we need to learn from,” Dischler said.
After two were out in the top of the sixth, Canik singled, Schloer walked, and Withey singled to load the bases. Pechacek then drilled a shot which was snagged by Tomahawk’s left fielder.
“It was hit in probably the only place she could have caught it, and I don’t think she knew she did (catch it). But, she made the play, and instead of having a one- or two-run lead, we’re still down by one, and that proved to be the difference in the game,” Dischler said.
Both teams finished with six hits. Schloer and Withey had two each for the Screaming Eagles.
Chequamegon7, Athens 6
The stage was set for the MNC showdown between the two-time defending champion Blue Jays - ranked 12th in the Wissports.net Div. 4 poll - and the Screaming Eagles – the last team besides Athens to win the MNC title.
Three two-out errors led to a first-inning run for Athens, and an error to open the second spotted the Blue Jays to a 4-0 lead. Chequamegon left the sacks dripping in the bottom of the first.
“Not a good start,” Dischler said. “One of our Achilles’ heels has been stranding runners on base, and much of what we’ve allowed has come from errors. It looked like Déjà vu all over again. Bri was throwing great, but we were lacking in support.”
Chequamegon clawed back with a run in the third inning. Schloer hit a two-out single, followed by a walk to Withey and an RBI single by Pechacek.
Gehrman’s leadoff walk led to a fourth-inning run.
Chequamegon tallied three in the fifth to take the lead. Schloer doubled and Withey singled courtesy runner Ashley Canik home. A couple of Athens’ errors and Gehrman’s RBI ground out fueled a three-run inning.
“Brianna shutting them down in the third, fourth and fifth was huge,” Dischler said. “This was a game which could easily have gotten away from us, but Bri and her defense stayed focused and relaxed and put us in good position,” Dischler said. “Bri did a great job staying composed after our defense let us down. She kept her chin up and picked up the rest of the team.”
Athens strung four hits to plate two runs and retake the lead in the top of the sixth. Megan Mader came on with two on for a strikeout to end the inning.
Chequamegon went down 1-2-3 on three ground outs to short in its half of the sixth, but Megan Mader retired Athens on six pitches in the top of the seventh.
“Megan picked up right where Bri left off and gave us a chance. She threw just 11 pitches, but they were huge pitches,” Dischler said.
Withey and Pechacek led off the bottom of the seventh with their third hits of the game and Gehrman followed with an RBI single to plate pinch runner Canik to tie the score. After a strikeout, Pechacek raced home on a passed ball to give the Screaming Eagles the victory.
“Huge win for these girls,” Dischler said. “Our seniors (Schloer, Withey, Gehrman and Canik) really stepped up, but everyone contributed to this win. With only 12 players on our roster, we need everyone to pitch in and they did just that.”
Schloer (3-for-4), Withey (3-for-3) and Pechacek (3-for-4) accounted for nine of Chequamegon’s 11 hits. Gehrman drove in two runs and Canik scored three. The Maders teamed to walk just one, fan four, and allow just two earned runs.
“We need to win as a team and the girls are getting it,” Dischler said. “This was a big step. Now we need to keep it going.”
After a 1-5 start, Chequamegon has turned it around to 6-6.
Chequamegon 10, Prentice 0
Megan Mader blanked Prentice on three hits in a 10-0 victory at the Park Falls Athletic Complex on Thursday, May 3. She fanned four and walked none.
Chequamegon tallied three times in the first inning with Withey rapping an RBI single and Pechacek drawing a bases-loaded walk. Pechacek rapped a bases-loaded double to drive in three in a four-run second inning.
Lobermeier and Palecek singled ahead of Schloer’s RBI single in the fourth. Pechacek drove in her fifth run of the night with a sacrifice fly.
Chequamegon rapped eight hits in the game, including a 2-for-2 night by Palecek, who scored three times.
“It was a good, solid win. Megan threw well and we were productive up and down the line-up,” Dischler said.
Chequamegon 19, Prentice 0
Playing a make-up game in the nightcap, Prentice w as the home team , Chequamegon tallied four times in the first, two in the second, and 13 in the third. Brianna Mader checked the Bucs on one hit with no walks and three strikeouts, facing the minimum nine hitters in three innings.
“Prentice lost a lot from last season and (Coach) Leo (Moritz) is schooling them well on fundamentals,” Dischler said. “They were just outmanned tonight.”
Withey had a 3-for-4 night with four runs batted in. Schloer was 2-for-3 with three RBI. Palecek and Brianna Mader added two hits each in the 11-hit attack. The Bucs committed 11 errors, prolonging the big inning for Chequamegon.
Hurley 6, Chequamegon 5
Hurley, ranked seventh in Div. 3 by Wissports.net, jumped out to a 5-1 lead after 2-1/2 innings. The Screaming Eagles tallied three in the bottom of the third to make it a 5-4 game.
“They scored three unearned runs early, which proved to be the difference in the game,” Dischler said. “We didn’t come out confident and it caught up with us.”
After Hurley tallied one in the first, Masterson rapped a two-out RBI single in the second for the Screaming Eagles.
A single and two-run homer by Bry Stengard was followed by two unearned runs in Hurley’s four-run third.
Chequamegon came right back on back-to-back doubles by Palecek and Schloer and an RBI single by Pechacek.
“The girls did a great job responding to Hurley’s big inning. But for that, it could have been a long evening,” Dischler said.
It remained 5-4 until Hurley tallied once in the top of the seventh.
Lobermeier led off the Chequamegon seventh with a walk. Following a fielder’s choice, Schloer singled. Pechacek drove in a run with a two-out single but the threat ended and the Midgettes secured the 6-5 victory.
“It came down to them capitalizing on a couple opportunities and us missing some chances. We outhit them 11-8 and Megan threw tough. Our four errors were painful,” Dischler said.
Schloer went 3-for-4 and Pechacek and Masterson were each 2-for-3. Pechacek drove in a pair of runs.
Chequamegon 9, Abbotsford 3
Returning to MNC play at home on Monday, May 7, Chequamegon broke open a 2-2 game with two runs in the fourth and five in the fifth.
“It played out much like it did in Abby,” Dischler said. “Both times, we pulled away late to win.”
Abby scored twice in the top of the first, but Chequamegon answered in its half of the inning. Withey and Pechacek had two-out RBI hits, with Pechacek capping the inning with a run-scoring triple.
“Huge, huge hits by Big E and KP,” Dischler said. “Otherwise, they’re up 2-0 and gaining momentum.”
A single by Hilgart and walk to Masterson set the table in the Chequamegon fourth. Lobermeier rapped a run-scoring double and Palecek drove in a run on a fielder’s choice.
Abby tallied once in the fifth and had runners on second and third with just one out before Hilgart raced from her second base position to flag down a soft fly ball to the left field side of second base.
‘That was a web gem. Mo pulled it out of nowhere and also held the runner at third. That was a game-changer,” Dischler said.
The Screaming Eagles batted around in the five-run fifth. Withey led off with a single, Pechacek doubled, and Canik singled home a run, with another scoring on an error on the play. Masterson doubled home a run, followed by an RBI triple by Lobermeier.
“Ashley’s hit was huge and gave us some momentum, and Danielle and Stretch (Lobermeier) had clutch two-out hits,” Dischler said.
Abby threatened with two hits to lead off the sixth before Megan Mader came in to slam the door.
“Bri battled but didn’t have her best stuff. She put us in position and got the win, and Megan picked her up. They complement each other and give us some nice options,” Dischler said.
Withey rapped four singles, with Pechacek hitting a pair of doubles and a triple behind her. Lobermeier had three hits, including a double and triple.
Chequamegon 9, Rib Lake 3
Pechacek went 4-for-4 and Withey was 3-for-3 in the 13-hit attack in support of the six-hit pitching of Megan Mader.
Chequemgon led 7-0 before its only two errors on the night fueled a three-run fourth inning for Rib Lake.
The Screaming Eagles took a 2-0 lead in the first with Pechacek driving in a run with a two-out single and another run scoring on an error on the play. Masterson rapped a two-run single ahead of an RBI triple by Schloer and RBI double by Withey in a four-run second. Chequamegon added an unearned run in the third.
Withey’s second double and back-to-back singles by Pechacek and Canik tacked on two Chequamegon runs in the top of the sixth.
The girls played pretty well all-around,” Dischler said. “KP and Big E were on fire and we got hits from eight different players. We had a hiccup on defense in the fourth, but were rock solid otherwise. Megan was in control throughout.”
Chequemgon7, Medford 6
The Screaming Eagles posted a 2-1 record to place second in the Medford Invitational. Chequamegon opened with a 7-6 victory over Medford, lost 11-1 to Merrill, and shut out Crandon 4-0.
“We played pretty well all day; a lot of good things,” Dischler said. “We had to come from behind and then hold on against Medford, had one tough inning against Merrill, and were flawless on defense against Crandon. We had a lot of good plays on defense all day long.”
The day didn’t start that way as two Chequemagon errors fueled a four-run first for Medford.
“Their speed at the top of the order got them going and then we missed a couple chances. It could have gone south in a hurry, but the girls kept their composure and we got out of the inning,” Dischler said.
Chequamegon came right back with Lobermeier leading off with a walk and Palacek reaching on a perfectly executed slap. Lobermeier scored, and after two were out, Pechacek launched a towering shot over the left field fence to make it 3-0.
“That was huge; 4-3 was much better than 4-1,” Dischler said. “KP has been tearing it up all season.”
Brianna Mader worked out of a bases-loaded jam in the Medford second and then set down nine in a row and 12-of-15 until the Medford seventh.
“Bri kept them off stride and we cleaned it up on defense while we chipped away to build a lead,” Dischler said.
Chequamegon tied the score with a run in the third inning. A double by Masterson and RBI single by Schloer led to two runs in the fourth. Lobermeier walked and later scored on a sacrifice fly by Schloer to put Chequamegon ahead 7-4 after six.
Two Medford hits and an error gave Medford life in the top of the seventh but Mader ended the game with the potential tying run on second.
“Bri just went out and did her job. She kept pounding the strike zone and mixing speeds; a real solid effort,” Dischler said.
Masterson had two doubles to pace Chequamegon’s seven-hit attack, which was aided by seven walks.
Merrill 11, Chequamegon 1
A seven-run seventh inning inflated the score in the Screaming Eagles’ 11-1 loss to Merrill. The game was scoreless through three innings before Merrill broke through for three runs on four doubles. The Blue Jays added a run in the fifth before Chequamegon dented the scoreboard with Pechacek drawing a bases-loaded walk in the sixth.
A two-run homer and two errors opened the floodgates in the Merrill seventh.
“We didn’t swing the bats the way we’re capable of. Megan threw well early but Merrill got on her a bit in the fourth. They got one in the fifth with no out and the bases loaded before Megan got a 6-2 ground out followed by a 1-2-3 double play. That was huge,” Dischler said. “It got away from us in the seventh. They’re a good team and we just didn’t match up today.”
Merrill (12-5) went on to win the tournament with a 3-0 record.
Chequamegon 4, Crandon 0
Chequamegon and Crandon went head-to-head for second place. The Cardinals entered the tournament with a 10-4 record.
Chequamegon drew first blood in the bottom of the third on a single by Masterson, walk to Lobermeier and two-run single up the middle by Palecek. After an error, Canik singled home a run in the fourth. Megan Mader reached on an error in the sixth, advanced on Masterson’s third single of the game, and scored on a base hit by Lobermeier.
Brianna Mader faced 30 batters, scattering eight hits and walking just one. She fanned three and worked out of a jam in the fifth, inducing three grounders to Pechacek at third to retire the side with the bases loaded.
“KP had a huge defensive day at third base with 12 assists and six putouts and Big E had 30 putouts at first base. Erica laid out several times to nip runners with her great stretch,” Dischler said. “We had 33 assists on the day. Eight errors is more than we would have liked to see, but we fielded a pretty respectable .923 for the day. The pitchers coaxed tons of ground balls, and for the most part, the girls made the plays. It was a good day overall.”
Masterson went 5-for-9 at the plate with two doubles and two runs scored in the tournament. Lobermeier was 3-for-5 and scored four runs. Palecek and Withey were each 3-for-10. Pechacek drove in three runs, and drew three walks. Brianna Mader pitched 14.2 innings, allowing seven total runs and three earned runs, walking just two.
Chequamegon 10, Tomahawk 0
Brianna Mader tossed a two-hit shutout in the Screaming Eagles’ 10-0 five-inning victory over Tomahawk. She doubled with one out in the second inning, advanced on Morgan Hilgart’s single, and scored on a wild pitch to give her team a 1-0 lead.
Chequamegon erupted for eight runs in the third. Palecek reached on an error to open the inning. After Schloer singled, Withey and Pechacek drew walks to force in a run. Canik singled home a run and Brianna Mader reached on an error. Hilgart singled home two runs, followed by a two-run double by Lobermeier, who scored on a two-out single by Withey.
“Really good at bat by KP. She’s been knocking the snot out of the ball but was patient in a 1-0 game. She was up there to hit, but didn’t get anxious. Ashley followed with a huge RBI single and Mo (Hilgart), Stretch, and Big E had big knocks,” Dischler said.
Chequamegon tacked on another run in the fourth with Megan Mader drawing a walk, advancing on a wild pitch and a single by Hilgart, and scoring on a fielder’s choice off the bat of Masterson.
“A big win as we build towards regional play. We lost there by one run and got on them early here. The girls have really been swinging the bats well,” Dischler said.
Chequemgon 11, Phillips 1
The Screaming Eagles beat rival Phillips 11-1 on Thursday, May 17, at the Park Falls Athletic Complex, to clinch a share of the Marawood North Conference championship.
The Screaming Eagles and Athens each finished MNC play with 9-1 records, both sweeping Abbotsford, Phillips, Prentice and Rib Lake, and winning at home in head-to-play. Athens had won outright MNC titles the past two seasons with 10-0 records. The then-Park Falls Cardinals – now Chequamegon - won the MNC title in their first season in the conference in 2009 with a 10-0 record.
Megan Mader checked the Loggers on three hits in the 11-1 five-inning victory. She fanned six and walked one. That walk was to Morgan Schillinger to lead off the game, and Schillinger scored on Kendra Brown’s double. Brown was erased at home on a 1-6-3-2 double play, attempting to score on the infield ground out.
“That was huge to not go down 2-0. Erica spun it perfectly for the double play,” Dischler said.
The Screaming Eagles tied it in the bottom of the first after two were out on a walk to Schloer, a wild pitch, and Withey’s RBI single.
“Another clutch hit by Erica to get us back to even,” Dischler said.
It remained 1-1 before the Screaming Eagles put up a five-spot in the third. Lobermeier ripped a one-out double and advanced on a wild pitch. After a walk to Palecek, Schloer delivered a two-run single. Withey followed with a single and Pechacek reached on a fielder’s choice. With the bases loaded, Megan Mader’s single dropped just inside the right field line to plate three runs.
“Megan didn’t get it all, but it hit the right spot with the runners off and running. That gave us some breathing room,” Dischler said.
Chequamegon tacked on a run in the fourth and Megan Mader set the side down in order in both the fourth and fifth innings.
The Screaming Eagles ended it via the 10-run rule with four in the fifth. Withey and Pechacek opened the frame with singles. After a fielder’s choice, Brianna Mader ripped an RBI double and Hilgart followed with a two-run single. After a single by Masterson, Lobermeier singled to plate the game-ending run.
“It was a good win to wrap up a share of the conference title. Megan threw well and we played errorless defense behind her, and we hit the ball up and down the line-up,” Dischler said. “Everyone contributed and that’s what we need to be successful.”
Chequamegon 12, Stratford 7
Chequamegon rallied from a five-run deficit for a 12-7 victory over Stratford. Both teams entered the game with 14-8 records.
“This is becoming a good rivalry,” Dischler said. “Mandy (Pankratz) has a nice program there and we’ve played some good games with them over the past four years. It was a big win for us as we get ready for tournament play, digging out of a big hole. The girls were confident and never thought they were out of it,” Dischler said.
Stratford led 5-0 before Withey and Canik singled and Withey scored on Brianna Mader’s sacrifice fly to deep center.
Stratford pushed its lead back to five at 6-1 with an unearned run in the top of the fourth. Chequamegon came right back with four to close to 6-5.
Masterson and Lobermeier opened the bottom of the fourth with walks. After a fielder’s choice, Schloer singled home a run, Withey drilled a run-scoring double, and Pechacek singled home another run. Withey then scored on an error.
“More clutch hits. These girls believe in the gifts God has graced them with and play one pitch at a time. That was such a big inning to get us back in the game,” Dischler said.
It could have been a bigger inning as Canik drew a walk and Hilgart was hit by a pitch as Chequamegon left the bases loaded, but Chequamegon went into the fifth inning now trailing by just one.
“We left 10 stranded through four innings, including the bases loaded twice. Still, we felt pretty good because we were hitting the ball hard. Even our outs were hard-hit balls,” Dischler said.
Brianna Mader went through the top of the fifth on five pitches. The inning ended on a pop bunt which Schloer snagged from behind the plate and doubled a runner off at first.
“Big mometum shift there. Bri and LT came up big to get us back at bat,” Dischler said.
Lobermeier and Palecek singled ahead of an RBI single by Schloer. Withey lofted a deep sacrifice fly to score Palecek, and Pechacek singled home courtesy runner Casey.
Startford got one back in the top of the sixth and had runners on second and third before Megan Mader fanned two in relief to work out of the inning with a one-run lead intact.
Lobermeier hit a one-out single and stole second in the Chequamegon sixth. Schloer reached on an error and Withey followed, singling to drive in her third run of the night. Courtesy runner Casey scored on a passed ball, then scored as a pinch runner on an RBI single by Pechacek. Canik followed with a run-scoring single.
“We really stroked the ball the final three innings,” Dischler said. “We hit it hard throughout the game, but got them to fall in the later innings. Again, we hit the ball up and down the line-up and everyone chipped in; lots of clutch hits.
Chequamegon rapped 17 for the game, with Lobermeier, Schloer, Withey and Pechacek finishing with three hits each, and Palecek and Canick with two apiece. Withey and Pechacek drove in three apiece and Schloer had two RBI. Casey scored three times.
Brianna Mader worked 5-1/3 innings for the win, with Megan Mader notching the save.
Northwestern 11, Chequamegon 3
The Chequamegon High School softball team closed its regular season with a 15-9 record, losing 11-3 to Northwestern on Tuesday, May 22.
Chequamegon managed just five hits to go with five walks and a hit batter in the loss to Northwestern.
“We came out flat,” Dischler said. “We weren’t sharp in any area of the game.”
Northwestern tallied single runs in the first, second and fourth innings and added three in the fifth to take a 6-0 lead. Chequamegon plated its three runs in the bottom of the fifth, opening with walks to Hilgart and Masterson ahead of Lobermeier’s triple. Palecek and Schloer followed with singles before the Tigers recorded three straight outs.
“As poorly as we were playing, we had a shot there. It could have been a really big inning, but they got out of it still leading by three,” Dischler said.
Northwestern went up 7-3 with a run in the sixth. Chequamegon threatened again in its half of the sixth, but left the bases loaded. The Tigers sealed the victory with four runs in the top of the seventh.
“They capitalized on their opportunities and we didn’t on ours,” Dischler said. “They hit the ball well (15 hits) and we helped then with five walks and five errors. I guess if we had to have a stinker, this was a good time for it (before tournament play).”
WIAA Div. 3 Quarterfinal
Chequamegon 13, Washburn 0
WIAA tournament play opened at the Park Falls Athletic Complex on Thursday, May 24. Washburn/South Shore and Chequamegon got in one scoreless inning before lightning and then rain halted play. The game resumed on Friday, May 25.
Washburn/South Shore opened both the first and second innings with singles, but Chequamegon erased both runners - the first cut down trying to advance on an overthrow and the second on an attempted steal.
The Screaming Eagles struck for four runs in the bottom of the second. Pechacek and Canik walked and Brianna Mader followed with a two-run single. Mader scored as Masterson reached on an error. Masterson stole second, advanced on a passed ball and scored on a wild pitch.
Six walks fueled a seven-run third for Chequamegon. Brianna Mader tripled home a run in the frame and Masterson and Lobermemer had singles ahead of Casey’s two-run base hit. Chequamegon added two runs in the fourth. Brianna Mader and Lobermeier each had two hits. Mader scored three times and drove in three runs. Pechacek, Canik and Masterston scored two times each.
Brianna and Megan Mader teamed for a two-hitter, striking out eight and facing just two batters over the minimum.
“The girls came out and did what we needed to do,” Dischler said. “We got our feet wet in the tournament and hopefully will build from that.
WIAA Div. 3 Regional Semifinal
Chequamegon 4, Ladysmith 0
Brianna Mader twirled a four-hit shutout in the regional semifinal game at Ladysmith.
“Bri threw a gem. She was in complete control of the game. They only had six runners all night,” Dischler said.
Ladysmith’s only threat came in the fifth after two were out. The Jills loaded the bases on a walk, single and another walk before Mader worked out of it.
Chequamegon loaded the bases to open the game on singles by Lobermeier and Palecek and a walk to Schloer. Withey and Pechacek both lined out to the pitcher and the inning ended on a ground out.
“Not the start we were looking for. We left 13 on base the first time we played them (a 5-3 Ladysmith victory). Erica and KP (Pechacek) hit shots. Both were self-defense outs. It could have been a big inning,” Dischler said.
Hilgart walked and later scored on an error to put the Screaming Eagles on the board in the second inning.
Lobermeier opened the fourth with a walk and scored on Withey’s two-out single.
“Another clutch hit by Erica,” Dischler said.
The Screaming Eagles led 2-0 but stranded 10 through four innings.
Hilgart walked again in the fifth, advanced on a sacrifice bunt by Masterson and scored on a two-out base hit by Lobermeier.
“Michelle had a good night in the leadoff spot. She was on base four times and delivered a clutch single there,” Dischler said.
Pechacek singled and scored the final run in the sixth with Canik singling her home after two were out.
“We scored everything after two outs,” DIschler said. “Girls stepped up throughout the order. Bri threw great and we played errorless ball; a very good win.”
WIAA Div. 3 Regional Championship
Chequamegon 14, Phillips 3
Chequamegon got the bats going early in the regional title game against Phillips, putting up a six-spot in the first – again after two were out.
Lobermeier reached on an error and worked her way to third before Withey singled her home. Pechacek followed with a home run to center field. After Canik reached on an error, Brianna Mader singled and both scored on a single by Hilgart. Masterson then plated Hilgart.
“We got off to a great start,” Dischler said. “Megan (Mader) mowed them down 1-2-3 in the top of the inning and we put up a crooked number in the bottom.”
Chequamegon plated two in the second inning. Jamie Palecek drew a walk, advanced to third and scored on a deep sacrifice fly to center by Withey. Pechacek reached on an error and later scored on a wild pitch. The Screaming Eagles went up 10-0 with two in the third on walks to Lobermeier and Schloer and RBI singles by Withey and Pechacek.
A walk and two-run homer by Allison Rousch made it 10-2.
Chequamegon plated four runs in the bottom of the fourth. Brianna Mader doubled and Hilgart walked. Mader scored on a suicide squeeze bunt by Masterson. Lobermeier followed with an RBI single and the final run scored on an error.
Krystie Anderson singled and scored on an infield ground out by Annika Neerdaels in the top of the fifth.
Withey, Pechacek, Briana Mader and Masterson had two hits each, with Withey and Pechacek driving in three apiece. Lobermeier scored three times.
Megan Mader notched the win, working four innings with five strikeouts.
WIAA Div. 3 Sectional Semifinal
Grantsburg 10, Chequamegon 1
The lid closed on an 18-10 season for the Chequamegon High School softball team in a 10-1 loss to third-ranked Grantsburg in WIAA Div. 3 sectional play on Monday, June 4, in Grantsburg.
“It was a good season,” Dischler said. “The end is a little sour tasting, but we got there (to the sectional) and got beat by a good team. The girls can be proud of what they accomplished.”
It was Grantsburg getting the early jump in Monday’s sectional semifinal game. After Chequamegon went out 1-2-3, the Pirates tallied three in the first after two were out with Gab Witzany belting a two-run homer. The Pirates added one in the second with a sacrifice fly.
It remained 4-0 until the fifth, when the Pirates – ranked third in the WisSports.net/Fastpitch Chronicle poll - plated another run.
Lobermeier walked to lead off the Chequamegon sixth and advanced on a sacrifice by Palecek. Schloer then delivered with an RBI single to make it 5-1. The Pirates put up five runs in the bottom of the sixth.
“They hit the ball well and we didn’t get on anything early,” Dischler said. “They’re ranked third in the state for a reason. Our girls hung in there and didn’t cave after they got up early. Megan came on in the second and threw very well. There were a couple of plays we should have made behind her which led to the big inning late.
“It certainly wasn’t the way we wanted to send our seniors out. They can be very proud of what they accomplished in their four seasons. And, our underclassmen know now what it takes to compete at the top level and they’ll grow from it.”
The Screaming Eagles got off to a slow start with a 1-5 record in their first six games; then won 17 of their final 22 contests. Their season ended with a 10-1 loss at Grantsburg in Div. 3 sectional play.
Thorp 14, Chequamegon 3
Chequamegon completed a whirlwind first week with a 1-5 record, playing one-fourth of its schedule in the first six days.
“We really learned a lot about ourselves this first week. Now, we have a few days of practices to iron out some wrinkles,” Screaming Eagles’ Coach Ken Dischler said.
The Screaming Eagles got off to a rocky start in their season opener on Monday, April 9, giving up 10 unearned runs in a 14-3 loss to visiting Thorp at the Park Falls Athletic Complex.
"Seven unearned runs in the first two innings were way too much to overcome," Dischler said.
Thorp put up two runs in the first inning, but Chequamegon answered in its half of the inning on an RBI single by Erica Withey, who then scored on an error.
Two errors and two walks led to five second-inning runs for the Cardinals. and a walk and a two-run home run by Lyndsey Jacks put Thorp ahead 10-2.
Chequamegon put two on with two out in the third ahead of Kristen Pechacek's RBI double deep to left field in its half of the third inning.
"Kristen gave it a ride but it was just short of going out -- 10-5 vs. 10-3 is a big difference when you're trying to climb back into a game," Dischler said.
Thorp added a solo run in the fourth inning. A passed ball, a wild pitch and two walks helped fuel a four-run fifth for the Cardinals.
We'll learn how important the little things are at the varsity level - not allowing extra bases is huge," Dischler said. "We've got a really tough first-week schedule, but it will make us a much stronger team as we grow."
Withey paced a six-hit attack for the Screaming Eagles with two singles and an RBI.
Ladysmith 5, Chequamegon 3
The Screaming Eagles lost 5-3 at Ladysmith on Tuesday, April 10.
“We outhit them 11-5, but left 13 runners stranded. They made the most of their hits and we left a buffet of scoring opportunities on the table,” Dischler said.
Tasha Schloer’s RBI double plated Michelle Lobermeier in the first inning. A single by Withey and a dropped third strike loaded the bases before a line drive out ended the threat.
Chequamegon left the bases loaded again in the third inning, without denting the scoreboard.
Ladysmith filled the sacks in the bottom of the fourth on an error and two singles before Pechacek forced out a runner at home. The Jills scored their first run on a walk and tacked on two on a single by Tiffany Nelson.
A single and two errors led to two Ladysmith runs in the bottom of the fifth.
“Their hits were grouped with a couple walks and errors. We beat ourselves in this one,” Dischler said.
Chequamegon had a runner cut down at the plate in the fifth and had the bases loaded with just one out in the sixth but failed to score.
The Screaming Eagles mounted a two-out rally in the seventh. Ashley Canik doubled and advanced on a single by Morgan Hilgart. Danielle Masterson drove in both with a single and Lobermeier singled before the Jills coaxed the final out.
Lobermeier, Schloer and Masterson had two hits each for Chequamegon.
Megan Mader took the loss, giving up three runs in four innings of work on four hits, four walks and four strikeouts. Brianna Mader was touched for two unearned runs in two innings on one hit, one walk and one K.
Athens 15, Chequamegon 9
A nine-run fifth doomed the Screaming Eagles in their Marawood North Conference opener at 10th-ranked Athens on Friday, April 13.
An error preceeded Alyssa Diers’ two-run homer in the Athens’ half of the first inning.
Chequamegon knotted the score in its half of the second on RBI singles by Megan Mader and Masterson, and tallied five third-inning runs . Megan Mader and Jamie Palecek had RBI singles in the third, with Mary Gehrman, Brianna Mader and Lobermeier also knocking base hits.
A throwing error led to the first two runs in a four-run third inning for Athens.
Withey opened the fourth inning with a double and scored on a bases-loaded walk to Masterson. Chequamegon left the sacks dripping.
Athens grouped eight hits with two errors and a walk to tally nine times in the pivotal fifth.
“They got bats on a couple good pitches and everything they hit in that inning found a hole,” Dischler said. “We outhit them 13-12 and hit a lot of shots right at them, and again we stranded 13 runners; definitely a game we could have won.”
Lobermeier, Palecek, Withey, Megan Mader and Masterson had two hits each for the Screaming Eagles, with Mader and Masterson driving in two each. Pechacek scored twice.
The loss went to Megan Mader, who worked 4-1/3 innings, allowing nine hits and two walks and fanning one. Brianna Mader gave up three hits and fanned two in 1-2/3 innings.
“Five errors led to nine unearned runs and that was the difference in the game,” Dischler said.
Chequamegon 7, Wausau West 3
The Screaming Eagles rolled right over to play three games in the Wausau West Warrior Invitational on Saturday, April 14, facing two Div. 1opponents and one Div. 2 foe.
Brianna Mader threw just 85 pitches as the Screaming Eagles broke into the win column with a 7-3 victory over the host Warriors. Wausau West rapped 11 hits and Mader fanned two and walked just one – the second-last batter in the game.
“Bri threw a gem. She was ahead in the count throughout the game and her defense played nearly flawless behind her,” Dischler said. “Offensively, we executed. We had five sacrifices and scored off three of those.”
Chequamegon got on the board first as Lobermeier walked and Palecek reached on an error ahead of an RBI double by Schloer. Withey followed with a sacrifice fly.
Wausau West scored in the second but Chequamegon came back with two in the third on an RBI ground out by Withey and a squeeze bunt by Gehrman to score Makayla Casey.
Canik singled and stole second ahead of Lobermeier’s clutch two-out, two-strike single in the fourth.
The Warriors closed to 5-2 with a home run in the fifth.
Megan Mader walked to open the Chequamegon sixth and advanced on Canik’s sacrifice bunt. She scored on a suicide squeeze bunt by Hilgart.
An RBI single by Withey plated Palecek to give Cheqamegon a 7-2 cushion, needing just three outs for the win.
Three singles and the lone walk led to a run and loaded the bases, bringing the potential tying run to the plate before a ground out to Hilgart at third base ended the game.
“Huge for us to get this win,” Dischler said. “We were short two starters for this game and each of the 10 players played a part. We stepped up and made some plays and it paid off.”
Schloer went 3-for-3 with two doubles and Palecek scored three times. WIthey drove in runs in three of her four plate appearances.
DC Everest 10, Chequamegon 0
Schofield D.C. Everest scored four runs in both the fifth and sixth innings to pull away for a 10-0 victory behind the no-hit pitching of Megan Mathies.
A walk preceeded Alayna Krejci’s home run to give the Evergreens a 2-0 lead in the first.
Megan Mader and Canik reached on errors to open the Chequamegon third but Mathies worked out of it.
The Evergreens tallied five hits in the fifth and five in the sixth to end the game via the 10-run rule.
“Megan threw well and we played toe-to-toe with them through 4-1/2 innings. The girls played another solid defensive game. But for a walk and a fly ball that dropped in that we should have caught, it could very well have been 3-0 late into the game,” Dischler said. “Mathies threw a nice game for them. We put the ball in play, but weren’t driving anything. It was a good challenge for us.
Mosinee 7, Chequamegon 1
Chequamegon closed the day at Wausau West with a 7-1 loss to Mosinee, which broke open a 1-1 game with six runs in the bottom of the fifth inning.
“We need to get out of innings,” Dischler said. “Big innings have killed us in all of our losses. I’m confident we’ll learn to manage those situations better.”
Mosinee tallied once in the fourth before Hilgart reached on a two-out error in the top of the fifth. She stole second and scored on Palecek’s RBI single.
Two errors opened the door for Mosinee’s six-run outburst. Just three of Mosinee’s seven runs were earned.
Brianna Mader fanned four and allowed eight hits in five innings. Megan Mader allowed one hit and fanned one in a scoreless sixth.
“Lots of good things from Saturday,” Dischler said. ‘”Walks were minimal – but still costly – and we played solid defense but for one of 19 innings. Danielle Masterson went down with an ankle injury late in Friday’s game and we were minus another starter in the infield so we had to do some shuffling. Erika did a great job in her first full games at short, Mary Gehrman was flawless at second all day, Mo (Hilgart) had a couple blips but was solid at third and Michelle was rock solid at first. Jamie took charge in the outfield with Mo and Michelle moving to the infield, and Ashley, Megan, Bri and Makayla stepped up at her flanks. We got better, stronger and deeper.”
Gehrman had five putouts and three assists against Wausau West, Megan Mader had seven assists and a putout in the circle against D.C. Everest, and Withey had six assists and two putouts against Mosinee. Schloer caught all three games and threw out two of four runners attempting to steal.
Chequamegon 12, Abbotsford 2
The Screaming Eagles won a pair in the midst of a 10-game road swing with a pair of Marawood Conference victories.
Chequamegon held a 3-0 lead entering the sixth inning at Abbotsford. Casey drove in a run with her first varsity hit, a two-out, two-strike single, in the second inning, plating Pechacek, who had doubled and stolen third.
Canik singled, stole second and scored on Withey’s RBI single in the Chequamegon third.
In the fourth. Casey reached on an error, advanced onHilgart’s single, and scored on an infield ground out off Palecek’s bat.
Meanwhile, Megan Mader was cruising with seven strikeouts and two hits allowed through five frames.
Singles to open the sixth by Brianna Mader and Hilgart set the table for Palecek’s two-run base hit. Schloer followed later with an RBI double and Withey delivered another run-scoring single.
“We strung a few hits there and I felt a whole lot better at 7-0,” Dischler said.
An error cracked the door open for the Falcons in the bottom of the sixth and Abby closed to 7-2.
“They got a couple bleeders off Megan so we turned to Bri. She slammed the door shut with a pair of punchouts,” Dischler said.
Chequamegon tallied five in the seventh with Schloer plating three with a bases-loaded double and Withey knocking in a run.
“After a slow start, LT ripped a pair of doubles, and Erica had three RBI singles – some nice hitting there,” Dischler said.
Brianna Mader fanned two more in the seventh, striking out four of the five batters she faced. Megan Mader fanned eight. Abby scratched out just four hits and one walk.
“Both girls threw very well. They needed just 88 pitches and threw 67 of those for strikes,” Dischler said. “”We challenged them to go after hitters and they rose to the challenge.”
Pechacek was 3-for-3 with a double, Withey was 3-for-5 with three RBI, Schloer was 2-for-5 with four runs batted in, and Palecek had two hits and three RBI. Hilgart added two of Chequamegon’s 16 hits.
Chequamegon 6, Rib Lake 7 (8)
The Screaming Eagles pounced early in Rib Lake, scoring five runs in the top of the first. Withey plated one run with a ground out and Pechacek, Gehrman, Mader and Hilgart had RBI hits, followed by a single by Masterson. Gehrman and Mader had doubles.
“For the first time this season, we opened with a big inning,” Dischler said. “Michelle opened the game with a walk and LT reached on an error and then the bats woke up.”
Withey and Pechacek hit back-to-back doubles for a second-inning run and a couple errors in the third put Chequamegon up 7-0.
Rib Lake responded with four runs in its half of the third.
“Calls on a couple close plays went their way and then they strung a couple of hits,” Dischler said. “Bri could well have been out of the inning with a shutout intact.”
Rib Lake added a run in the fourth and got its lead runner on to open the sixth. Megan Mader fanned the next two hitters before a triple by Hannah Schmidtfranz made it a one-run game.
“We missed an opportunity for a big inning in the fifth where we could have put the game away. They scratched some things out and got it back to even,” Dischler said.
Sarah Petkau singled in the tying run in the top of the seventh and was on second with no outs and third with one away. Megan Mader got the next hitter looking and induced a ground out to end the threat.
“Meg took care of business there,” Dischler said. “We needed the punchout big-time.”
Schloer singled to open the eighth inning for Chequamegon ahead of a screaming line-drive out off Withey’s bat. Pechacek and Gehrman followed with clutch singles to load the bases and Schloer scored the game-winning run on Megan Mader’s sacrifice fly to right.
Megan Mader retired Rib Lake on three infield ground outs in the bottom of the eighth.
“Bri and Megan pounded the strike zone again, throwing 79 strikes on 98 pitches with no walks. Bri picked Megan up against Abby, and Megan had Bri’s back against Rib Lake. The girls played solid defense behind them both nights. That’s a good formula for success,” Dischler said.
Pechacek went 4-for-5 with two RBI and Gehrman, Lobermeier and Masterson had two hits each in the 15-hit attack by Chequamegon.
“Kristen is swinging the bat really well – 7-for-8 over two games – and we hit the ball throughout the order in both games. Hopefully we can keep that going,” Dischler said.
Chequamegon 15, Drummond 0
The Screaming Eagles pounced for 10 first-inning runs in a 15-0 drubbing of Drummond on Tuesday, April 24, at Grand View.
Megan and Brianna Mader teamed in the circle for the shutout. Megan Mader worked four innings, allowing four hits and fanning four, and Brianna Mader worked a scoreless fifth, fanning two and allowing three hits.
Withey had three of Chequamegon’s 12 hits, driving in three runs. Casey, Gerhman and Masterson drove in two runs each. Withey drove in three runs in the first inning with a pair of doubles. Casey hit a two-run double in the fourth inning.
“This was an all-around victory – pitching, defense and offense,” Dischler said. “Our 10-spot in the first pretty much took them out of the game, and Megan and Bri – backed by flawless defense – shut them down.”
Chequamegon 8, Phillips 2
Chequamegon scored three times in the sixth inning and twice in the seventh to pull away for an 8-2 MNC victory at Phillips on Thursday, April 26.
Gehrman’s two-run double capped a three-run first inning for the Screaming Eagles. Phillips tallied two in its half of the first with a double by Courtney Baratka and an RBI single by Allison Roush.
From there, Brianna Mader blanked the Loggers, setting down 18 in a row until Katie Frase’s two-out single in the bottom of the seventh. Mader spun a four-hitter, walking one and fanning three.
“Bri really threw well. She pounded the strike zone,” Dischler said.
Brianna Mader doubled and Hilgart singled ahead of Masterson’s two-run double, and Lobermeier’s RBI single in the sixth. Gehrman singled home a run in the seventh.
“This was a must game for us heading into Monday’s rematch with Athens. Phillips has some quality players and we needed to be on top of our game,” Dischler said.
Tomahawk 5, Chequamegon 4
Tomahawk posted four runs in the bottom of the first and added a solo run in the second which proved to be just enough to secure a 5-4 non-conference victory on Friday, April 27.
“Some things never change. We had a long-standing rivalry with Tomahawk when we were in the Lumberjack Conference and we get them twice this season. It was tooth-and-nail again,” Dischler said.
Canik reached on an error and scored on Withey’s RBI single in a two-run first for the Screaming Eagles.
Tomahawk answered with four in the bottom of the first, stringing four hits with a walk.
“They didn’t hit anything hard, but found the right spots. We were just a bit flat-footed. Four road games in five days – including two must-win conference games - is a challenge for any team, but it’s one we expect to answer. To our girls’ credit, we could easily have tucked our tails, but we battled back and were in position to win,” Dischler said.
A leadoff walk led to a second-inning run for Tomahawk, but the Screaming Eagles got out of a bases-loaded, one-out jam.
Two errors led to two Chequamegon runs in the fourth, with Lobermeier driving in a run on a ground out and Schloer singling home a run to pull Chequamegon within one at 5-4.
After 1-1/3 innings, Megan Mader set down 14 of 15 Tomahawk batters.
“Megan threw really well. Early on, she needed to be a bit better on a couple pitches and her defense needed to be a step quicker on a couple opportunities – all the little things; a game where we need to learn from,” Dischler said.
After two were out in the top of the sixth, Canik singled, Schloer walked, and Withey singled to load the bases. Pechacek then drilled a shot which was snagged by Tomahawk’s left fielder.
“It was hit in probably the only place she could have caught it, and I don’t think she knew she did (catch it). But, she made the play, and instead of having a one- or two-run lead, we’re still down by one, and that proved to be the difference in the game,” Dischler said.
Both teams finished with six hits. Schloer and Withey had two each for the Screaming Eagles.
Chequamegon7, Athens 6
The stage was set for the MNC showdown between the two-time defending champion Blue Jays - ranked 12th in the Wissports.net Div. 4 poll - and the Screaming Eagles – the last team besides Athens to win the MNC title.
Three two-out errors led to a first-inning run for Athens, and an error to open the second spotted the Blue Jays to a 4-0 lead. Chequamegon left the sacks dripping in the bottom of the first.
“Not a good start,” Dischler said. “One of our Achilles’ heels has been stranding runners on base, and much of what we’ve allowed has come from errors. It looked like Déjà vu all over again. Bri was throwing great, but we were lacking in support.”
Chequamegon clawed back with a run in the third inning. Schloer hit a two-out single, followed by a walk to Withey and an RBI single by Pechacek.
Gehrman’s leadoff walk led to a fourth-inning run.
Chequamegon tallied three in the fifth to take the lead. Schloer doubled and Withey singled courtesy runner Ashley Canik home. A couple of Athens’ errors and Gehrman’s RBI ground out fueled a three-run inning.
“Brianna shutting them down in the third, fourth and fifth was huge,” Dischler said. “This was a game which could easily have gotten away from us, but Bri and her defense stayed focused and relaxed and put us in good position,” Dischler said. “Bri did a great job staying composed after our defense let us down. She kept her chin up and picked up the rest of the team.”
Athens strung four hits to plate two runs and retake the lead in the top of the sixth. Megan Mader came on with two on for a strikeout to end the inning.
Chequamegon went down 1-2-3 on three ground outs to short in its half of the sixth, but Megan Mader retired Athens on six pitches in the top of the seventh.
“Megan picked up right where Bri left off and gave us a chance. She threw just 11 pitches, but they were huge pitches,” Dischler said.
Withey and Pechacek led off the bottom of the seventh with their third hits of the game and Gehrman followed with an RBI single to plate pinch runner Canik to tie the score. After a strikeout, Pechacek raced home on a passed ball to give the Screaming Eagles the victory.
“Huge win for these girls,” Dischler said. “Our seniors (Schloer, Withey, Gehrman and Canik) really stepped up, but everyone contributed to this win. With only 12 players on our roster, we need everyone to pitch in and they did just that.”
Schloer (3-for-4), Withey (3-for-3) and Pechacek (3-for-4) accounted for nine of Chequamegon’s 11 hits. Gehrman drove in two runs and Canik scored three. The Maders teamed to walk just one, fan four, and allow just two earned runs.
“We need to win as a team and the girls are getting it,” Dischler said. “This was a big step. Now we need to keep it going.”
After a 1-5 start, Chequamegon has turned it around to 6-6.
Chequamegon 10, Prentice 0
Megan Mader blanked Prentice on three hits in a 10-0 victory at the Park Falls Athletic Complex on Thursday, May 3. She fanned four and walked none.
Chequamegon tallied three times in the first inning with Withey rapping an RBI single and Pechacek drawing a bases-loaded walk. Pechacek rapped a bases-loaded double to drive in three in a four-run second inning.
Lobermeier and Palecek singled ahead of Schloer’s RBI single in the fourth. Pechacek drove in her fifth run of the night with a sacrifice fly.
Chequamegon rapped eight hits in the game, including a 2-for-2 night by Palecek, who scored three times.
“It was a good, solid win. Megan threw well and we were productive up and down the line-up,” Dischler said.
Chequamegon 19, Prentice 0
Playing a make-up game in the nightcap, Prentice w as the home team , Chequamegon tallied four times in the first, two in the second, and 13 in the third. Brianna Mader checked the Bucs on one hit with no walks and three strikeouts, facing the minimum nine hitters in three innings.
“Prentice lost a lot from last season and (Coach) Leo (Moritz) is schooling them well on fundamentals,” Dischler said. “They were just outmanned tonight.”
Withey had a 3-for-4 night with four runs batted in. Schloer was 2-for-3 with three RBI. Palecek and Brianna Mader added two hits each in the 11-hit attack. The Bucs committed 11 errors, prolonging the big inning for Chequamegon.
Hurley 6, Chequamegon 5
Hurley, ranked seventh in Div. 3 by Wissports.net, jumped out to a 5-1 lead after 2-1/2 innings. The Screaming Eagles tallied three in the bottom of the third to make it a 5-4 game.
“They scored three unearned runs early, which proved to be the difference in the game,” Dischler said. “We didn’t come out confident and it caught up with us.”
After Hurley tallied one in the first, Masterson rapped a two-out RBI single in the second for the Screaming Eagles.
A single and two-run homer by Bry Stengard was followed by two unearned runs in Hurley’s four-run third.
Chequamegon came right back on back-to-back doubles by Palecek and Schloer and an RBI single by Pechacek.
“The girls did a great job responding to Hurley’s big inning. But for that, it could have been a long evening,” Dischler said.
It remained 5-4 until Hurley tallied once in the top of the seventh.
Lobermeier led off the Chequamegon seventh with a walk. Following a fielder’s choice, Schloer singled. Pechacek drove in a run with a two-out single but the threat ended and the Midgettes secured the 6-5 victory.
“It came down to them capitalizing on a couple opportunities and us missing some chances. We outhit them 11-8 and Megan threw tough. Our four errors were painful,” Dischler said.
Schloer went 3-for-4 and Pechacek and Masterson were each 2-for-3. Pechacek drove in a pair of runs.
Chequamegon 9, Abbotsford 3
Returning to MNC play at home on Monday, May 7, Chequamegon broke open a 2-2 game with two runs in the fourth and five in the fifth.
“It played out much like it did in Abby,” Dischler said. “Both times, we pulled away late to win.”
Abby scored twice in the top of the first, but Chequamegon answered in its half of the inning. Withey and Pechacek had two-out RBI hits, with Pechacek capping the inning with a run-scoring triple.
“Huge, huge hits by Big E and KP,” Dischler said. “Otherwise, they’re up 2-0 and gaining momentum.”
A single by Hilgart and walk to Masterson set the table in the Chequamegon fourth. Lobermeier rapped a run-scoring double and Palecek drove in a run on a fielder’s choice.
Abby tallied once in the fifth and had runners on second and third with just one out before Hilgart raced from her second base position to flag down a soft fly ball to the left field side of second base.
‘That was a web gem. Mo pulled it out of nowhere and also held the runner at third. That was a game-changer,” Dischler said.
The Screaming Eagles batted around in the five-run fifth. Withey led off with a single, Pechacek doubled, and Canik singled home a run, with another scoring on an error on the play. Masterson doubled home a run, followed by an RBI triple by Lobermeier.
“Ashley’s hit was huge and gave us some momentum, and Danielle and Stretch (Lobermeier) had clutch two-out hits,” Dischler said.
Abby threatened with two hits to lead off the sixth before Megan Mader came in to slam the door.
“Bri battled but didn’t have her best stuff. She put us in position and got the win, and Megan picked her up. They complement each other and give us some nice options,” Dischler said.
Withey rapped four singles, with Pechacek hitting a pair of doubles and a triple behind her. Lobermeier had three hits, including a double and triple.
Chequamegon 9, Rib Lake 3
Pechacek went 4-for-4 and Withey was 3-for-3 in the 13-hit attack in support of the six-hit pitching of Megan Mader.
Chequemgon led 7-0 before its only two errors on the night fueled a three-run fourth inning for Rib Lake.
The Screaming Eagles took a 2-0 lead in the first with Pechacek driving in a run with a two-out single and another run scoring on an error on the play. Masterson rapped a two-run single ahead of an RBI triple by Schloer and RBI double by Withey in a four-run second. Chequamegon added an unearned run in the third.
Withey’s second double and back-to-back singles by Pechacek and Canik tacked on two Chequamegon runs in the top of the sixth.
The girls played pretty well all-around,” Dischler said. “KP and Big E were on fire and we got hits from eight different players. We had a hiccup on defense in the fourth, but were rock solid otherwise. Megan was in control throughout.”
Chequemgon7, Medford 6
The Screaming Eagles posted a 2-1 record to place second in the Medford Invitational. Chequamegon opened with a 7-6 victory over Medford, lost 11-1 to Merrill, and shut out Crandon 4-0.
“We played pretty well all day; a lot of good things,” Dischler said. “We had to come from behind and then hold on against Medford, had one tough inning against Merrill, and were flawless on defense against Crandon. We had a lot of good plays on defense all day long.”
The day didn’t start that way as two Chequemagon errors fueled a four-run first for Medford.
“Their speed at the top of the order got them going and then we missed a couple chances. It could have gone south in a hurry, but the girls kept their composure and we got out of the inning,” Dischler said.
Chequamegon came right back with Lobermeier leading off with a walk and Palacek reaching on a perfectly executed slap. Lobermeier scored, and after two were out, Pechacek launched a towering shot over the left field fence to make it 3-0.
“That was huge; 4-3 was much better than 4-1,” Dischler said. “KP has been tearing it up all season.”
Brianna Mader worked out of a bases-loaded jam in the Medford second and then set down nine in a row and 12-of-15 until the Medford seventh.
“Bri kept them off stride and we cleaned it up on defense while we chipped away to build a lead,” Dischler said.
Chequamegon tied the score with a run in the third inning. A double by Masterson and RBI single by Schloer led to two runs in the fourth. Lobermeier walked and later scored on a sacrifice fly by Schloer to put Chequamegon ahead 7-4 after six.
Two Medford hits and an error gave Medford life in the top of the seventh but Mader ended the game with the potential tying run on second.
“Bri just went out and did her job. She kept pounding the strike zone and mixing speeds; a real solid effort,” Dischler said.
Masterson had two doubles to pace Chequamegon’s seven-hit attack, which was aided by seven walks.
Merrill 11, Chequamegon 1
A seven-run seventh inning inflated the score in the Screaming Eagles’ 11-1 loss to Merrill. The game was scoreless through three innings before Merrill broke through for three runs on four doubles. The Blue Jays added a run in the fifth before Chequamegon dented the scoreboard with Pechacek drawing a bases-loaded walk in the sixth.
A two-run homer and two errors opened the floodgates in the Merrill seventh.
“We didn’t swing the bats the way we’re capable of. Megan threw well early but Merrill got on her a bit in the fourth. They got one in the fifth with no out and the bases loaded before Megan got a 6-2 ground out followed by a 1-2-3 double play. That was huge,” Dischler said. “It got away from us in the seventh. They’re a good team and we just didn’t match up today.”
Merrill (12-5) went on to win the tournament with a 3-0 record.
Chequamegon 4, Crandon 0
Chequamegon and Crandon went head-to-head for second place. The Cardinals entered the tournament with a 10-4 record.
Chequamegon drew first blood in the bottom of the third on a single by Masterson, walk to Lobermeier and two-run single up the middle by Palecek. After an error, Canik singled home a run in the fourth. Megan Mader reached on an error in the sixth, advanced on Masterson’s third single of the game, and scored on a base hit by Lobermeier.
Brianna Mader faced 30 batters, scattering eight hits and walking just one. She fanned three and worked out of a jam in the fifth, inducing three grounders to Pechacek at third to retire the side with the bases loaded.
“KP had a huge defensive day at third base with 12 assists and six putouts and Big E had 30 putouts at first base. Erica laid out several times to nip runners with her great stretch,” Dischler said. “We had 33 assists on the day. Eight errors is more than we would have liked to see, but we fielded a pretty respectable .923 for the day. The pitchers coaxed tons of ground balls, and for the most part, the girls made the plays. It was a good day overall.”
Masterson went 5-for-9 at the plate with two doubles and two runs scored in the tournament. Lobermeier was 3-for-5 and scored four runs. Palecek and Withey were each 3-for-10. Pechacek drove in three runs, and drew three walks. Brianna Mader pitched 14.2 innings, allowing seven total runs and three earned runs, walking just two.
Chequamegon 10, Tomahawk 0
Brianna Mader tossed a two-hit shutout in the Screaming Eagles’ 10-0 five-inning victory over Tomahawk. She doubled with one out in the second inning, advanced on Morgan Hilgart’s single, and scored on a wild pitch to give her team a 1-0 lead.
Chequamegon erupted for eight runs in the third. Palecek reached on an error to open the inning. After Schloer singled, Withey and Pechacek drew walks to force in a run. Canik singled home a run and Brianna Mader reached on an error. Hilgart singled home two runs, followed by a two-run double by Lobermeier, who scored on a two-out single by Withey.
“Really good at bat by KP. She’s been knocking the snot out of the ball but was patient in a 1-0 game. She was up there to hit, but didn’t get anxious. Ashley followed with a huge RBI single and Mo (Hilgart), Stretch, and Big E had big knocks,” Dischler said.
Chequamegon tacked on another run in the fourth with Megan Mader drawing a walk, advancing on a wild pitch and a single by Hilgart, and scoring on a fielder’s choice off the bat of Masterson.
“A big win as we build towards regional play. We lost there by one run and got on them early here. The girls have really been swinging the bats well,” Dischler said.
Chequemgon 11, Phillips 1
The Screaming Eagles beat rival Phillips 11-1 on Thursday, May 17, at the Park Falls Athletic Complex, to clinch a share of the Marawood North Conference championship.
The Screaming Eagles and Athens each finished MNC play with 9-1 records, both sweeping Abbotsford, Phillips, Prentice and Rib Lake, and winning at home in head-to-play. Athens had won outright MNC titles the past two seasons with 10-0 records. The then-Park Falls Cardinals – now Chequamegon - won the MNC title in their first season in the conference in 2009 with a 10-0 record.
Megan Mader checked the Loggers on three hits in the 11-1 five-inning victory. She fanned six and walked one. That walk was to Morgan Schillinger to lead off the game, and Schillinger scored on Kendra Brown’s double. Brown was erased at home on a 1-6-3-2 double play, attempting to score on the infield ground out.
“That was huge to not go down 2-0. Erica spun it perfectly for the double play,” Dischler said.
The Screaming Eagles tied it in the bottom of the first after two were out on a walk to Schloer, a wild pitch, and Withey’s RBI single.
“Another clutch hit by Erica to get us back to even,” Dischler said.
It remained 1-1 before the Screaming Eagles put up a five-spot in the third. Lobermeier ripped a one-out double and advanced on a wild pitch. After a walk to Palecek, Schloer delivered a two-run single. Withey followed with a single and Pechacek reached on a fielder’s choice. With the bases loaded, Megan Mader’s single dropped just inside the right field line to plate three runs.
“Megan didn’t get it all, but it hit the right spot with the runners off and running. That gave us some breathing room,” Dischler said.
Chequamegon tacked on a run in the fourth and Megan Mader set the side down in order in both the fourth and fifth innings.
The Screaming Eagles ended it via the 10-run rule with four in the fifth. Withey and Pechacek opened the frame with singles. After a fielder’s choice, Brianna Mader ripped an RBI double and Hilgart followed with a two-run single. After a single by Masterson, Lobermeier singled to plate the game-ending run.
“It was a good win to wrap up a share of the conference title. Megan threw well and we played errorless defense behind her, and we hit the ball up and down the line-up,” Dischler said. “Everyone contributed and that’s what we need to be successful.”
Chequamegon 12, Stratford 7
Chequamegon rallied from a five-run deficit for a 12-7 victory over Stratford. Both teams entered the game with 14-8 records.
“This is becoming a good rivalry,” Dischler said. “Mandy (Pankratz) has a nice program there and we’ve played some good games with them over the past four years. It was a big win for us as we get ready for tournament play, digging out of a big hole. The girls were confident and never thought they were out of it,” Dischler said.
Stratford led 5-0 before Withey and Canik singled and Withey scored on Brianna Mader’s sacrifice fly to deep center.
Stratford pushed its lead back to five at 6-1 with an unearned run in the top of the fourth. Chequamegon came right back with four to close to 6-5.
Masterson and Lobermeier opened the bottom of the fourth with walks. After a fielder’s choice, Schloer singled home a run, Withey drilled a run-scoring double, and Pechacek singled home another run. Withey then scored on an error.
“More clutch hits. These girls believe in the gifts God has graced them with and play one pitch at a time. That was such a big inning to get us back in the game,” Dischler said.
It could have been a bigger inning as Canik drew a walk and Hilgart was hit by a pitch as Chequamegon left the bases loaded, but Chequamegon went into the fifth inning now trailing by just one.
“We left 10 stranded through four innings, including the bases loaded twice. Still, we felt pretty good because we were hitting the ball hard. Even our outs were hard-hit balls,” Dischler said.
Brianna Mader went through the top of the fifth on five pitches. The inning ended on a pop bunt which Schloer snagged from behind the plate and doubled a runner off at first.
“Big mometum shift there. Bri and LT came up big to get us back at bat,” Dischler said.
Lobermeier and Palecek singled ahead of an RBI single by Schloer. Withey lofted a deep sacrifice fly to score Palecek, and Pechacek singled home courtesy runner Casey.
Startford got one back in the top of the sixth and had runners on second and third before Megan Mader fanned two in relief to work out of the inning with a one-run lead intact.
Lobermeier hit a one-out single and stole second in the Chequamegon sixth. Schloer reached on an error and Withey followed, singling to drive in her third run of the night. Courtesy runner Casey scored on a passed ball, then scored as a pinch runner on an RBI single by Pechacek. Canik followed with a run-scoring single.
“We really stroked the ball the final three innings,” Dischler said. “We hit it hard throughout the game, but got them to fall in the later innings. Again, we hit the ball up and down the line-up and everyone chipped in; lots of clutch hits.
Chequamegon rapped 17 for the game, with Lobermeier, Schloer, Withey and Pechacek finishing with three hits each, and Palecek and Canick with two apiece. Withey and Pechacek drove in three apiece and Schloer had two RBI. Casey scored three times.
Brianna Mader worked 5-1/3 innings for the win, with Megan Mader notching the save.
Northwestern 11, Chequamegon 3
The Chequamegon High School softball team closed its regular season with a 15-9 record, losing 11-3 to Northwestern on Tuesday, May 22.
Chequamegon managed just five hits to go with five walks and a hit batter in the loss to Northwestern.
“We came out flat,” Dischler said. “We weren’t sharp in any area of the game.”
Northwestern tallied single runs in the first, second and fourth innings and added three in the fifth to take a 6-0 lead. Chequamegon plated its three runs in the bottom of the fifth, opening with walks to Hilgart and Masterson ahead of Lobermeier’s triple. Palecek and Schloer followed with singles before the Tigers recorded three straight outs.
“As poorly as we were playing, we had a shot there. It could have been a really big inning, but they got out of it still leading by three,” Dischler said.
Northwestern went up 7-3 with a run in the sixth. Chequamegon threatened again in its half of the sixth, but left the bases loaded. The Tigers sealed the victory with four runs in the top of the seventh.
“They capitalized on their opportunities and we didn’t on ours,” Dischler said. “They hit the ball well (15 hits) and we helped then with five walks and five errors. I guess if we had to have a stinker, this was a good time for it (before tournament play).”
WIAA Div. 3 Quarterfinal
Chequamegon 13, Washburn 0
WIAA tournament play opened at the Park Falls Athletic Complex on Thursday, May 24. Washburn/South Shore and Chequamegon got in one scoreless inning before lightning and then rain halted play. The game resumed on Friday, May 25.
Washburn/South Shore opened both the first and second innings with singles, but Chequamegon erased both runners - the first cut down trying to advance on an overthrow and the second on an attempted steal.
The Screaming Eagles struck for four runs in the bottom of the second. Pechacek and Canik walked and Brianna Mader followed with a two-run single. Mader scored as Masterson reached on an error. Masterson stole second, advanced on a passed ball and scored on a wild pitch.
Six walks fueled a seven-run third for Chequamegon. Brianna Mader tripled home a run in the frame and Masterson and Lobermemer had singles ahead of Casey’s two-run base hit. Chequamegon added two runs in the fourth. Brianna Mader and Lobermeier each had two hits. Mader scored three times and drove in three runs. Pechacek, Canik and Masterston scored two times each.
Brianna and Megan Mader teamed for a two-hitter, striking out eight and facing just two batters over the minimum.
“The girls came out and did what we needed to do,” Dischler said. “We got our feet wet in the tournament and hopefully will build from that.
WIAA Div. 3 Regional Semifinal
Chequamegon 4, Ladysmith 0
Brianna Mader twirled a four-hit shutout in the regional semifinal game at Ladysmith.
“Bri threw a gem. She was in complete control of the game. They only had six runners all night,” Dischler said.
Ladysmith’s only threat came in the fifth after two were out. The Jills loaded the bases on a walk, single and another walk before Mader worked out of it.
Chequamegon loaded the bases to open the game on singles by Lobermeier and Palecek and a walk to Schloer. Withey and Pechacek both lined out to the pitcher and the inning ended on a ground out.
“Not the start we were looking for. We left 13 on base the first time we played them (a 5-3 Ladysmith victory). Erica and KP (Pechacek) hit shots. Both were self-defense outs. It could have been a big inning,” Dischler said.
Hilgart walked and later scored on an error to put the Screaming Eagles on the board in the second inning.
Lobermeier opened the fourth with a walk and scored on Withey’s two-out single.
“Another clutch hit by Erica,” Dischler said.
The Screaming Eagles led 2-0 but stranded 10 through four innings.
Hilgart walked again in the fifth, advanced on a sacrifice bunt by Masterson and scored on a two-out base hit by Lobermeier.
“Michelle had a good night in the leadoff spot. She was on base four times and delivered a clutch single there,” Dischler said.
Pechacek singled and scored the final run in the sixth with Canik singling her home after two were out.
“We scored everything after two outs,” DIschler said. “Girls stepped up throughout the order. Bri threw great and we played errorless ball; a very good win.”
WIAA Div. 3 Regional Championship
Chequamegon 14, Phillips 3
Chequamegon got the bats going early in the regional title game against Phillips, putting up a six-spot in the first – again after two were out.
Lobermeier reached on an error and worked her way to third before Withey singled her home. Pechacek followed with a home run to center field. After Canik reached on an error, Brianna Mader singled and both scored on a single by Hilgart. Masterson then plated Hilgart.
“We got off to a great start,” Dischler said. “Megan (Mader) mowed them down 1-2-3 in the top of the inning and we put up a crooked number in the bottom.”
Chequamegon plated two in the second inning. Jamie Palecek drew a walk, advanced to third and scored on a deep sacrifice fly to center by Withey. Pechacek reached on an error and later scored on a wild pitch. The Screaming Eagles went up 10-0 with two in the third on walks to Lobermeier and Schloer and RBI singles by Withey and Pechacek.
A walk and two-run homer by Allison Rousch made it 10-2.
Chequamegon plated four runs in the bottom of the fourth. Brianna Mader doubled and Hilgart walked. Mader scored on a suicide squeeze bunt by Masterson. Lobermeier followed with an RBI single and the final run scored on an error.
Krystie Anderson singled and scored on an infield ground out by Annika Neerdaels in the top of the fifth.
Withey, Pechacek, Briana Mader and Masterson had two hits each, with Withey and Pechacek driving in three apiece. Lobermeier scored three times.
Megan Mader notched the win, working four innings with five strikeouts.
WIAA Div. 3 Sectional Semifinal
Grantsburg 10, Chequamegon 1
The lid closed on an 18-10 season for the Chequamegon High School softball team in a 10-1 loss to third-ranked Grantsburg in WIAA Div. 3 sectional play on Monday, June 4, in Grantsburg.
“It was a good season,” Dischler said. “The end is a little sour tasting, but we got there (to the sectional) and got beat by a good team. The girls can be proud of what they accomplished.”
It was Grantsburg getting the early jump in Monday’s sectional semifinal game. After Chequamegon went out 1-2-3, the Pirates tallied three in the first after two were out with Gab Witzany belting a two-run homer. The Pirates added one in the second with a sacrifice fly.
It remained 4-0 until the fifth, when the Pirates – ranked third in the WisSports.net/Fastpitch Chronicle poll - plated another run.
Lobermeier walked to lead off the Chequamegon sixth and advanced on a sacrifice by Palecek. Schloer then delivered with an RBI single to make it 5-1. The Pirates put up five runs in the bottom of the sixth.
“They hit the ball well and we didn’t get on anything early,” Dischler said. “They’re ranked third in the state for a reason. Our girls hung in there and didn’t cave after they got up early. Megan came on in the second and threw very well. There were a couple of plays we should have made behind her which led to the big inning late.
“It certainly wasn’t the way we wanted to send our seniors out. They can be very proud of what they accomplished in their four seasons. And, our underclassmen know now what it takes to compete at the top level and they’ll grow from it.”
