ASSUMPTION TOPS BARNEVELD TO CAPTURE DIVISION 5 STATE SOFTBALL TITLE

Zaleski Sports

MADISON – The Wisconsin Rapids Assumption softball team is state champions after a hard-fought 3-1 win over Barneveld in the Division 5 championship game Saturday morning at 2022 WIAA State Softball Tournament at Goodman Diamond.

The state championship is Assumption’s third in program history to go along with a Division 3 title in 2001 and a D-4 crown in 2005.

Ava Schill smacked a solo home run in the first inning and was masterful yet again on the mound for Assumption (21-2) as she went the distance. She struck out six without a walk, and allowed just three hits.

Schill nailed a two-out homer to right field in the first and the Royals scratched out another run in the opening inning. Claire Nelson singled after Schill’s homer and went to second on a wild pitch. Lydia Smits struck out but reached as the third strike got away from the Barneveld catcher, who in turn committed an error to allow Nelson to score.

The Royals tacked on another run in the fifth as Cristin Casey had a two-out single, stole second and scored on a single by Schill.

Schill allowed just one hit through six innings before Barneveld (22-7) got on the board in the seventh. Nicole Fahey led off with a double and pinch runner Madeline Grabandt scored on a two-out single by Daelynn Rhoades. Schill coaxed a soft liner to shortstop to record the final out and cement the state title for the Royals.

Royals 3, Eagles 1

Barneveld 000 000 1 - 1 3 2

Assumption 200 010 x - 3 4 1

WP: Ava Schill. LP: Daelynn Rhoades.

SO: Rhoades (1 inn.) 4, Nicole Fahey (5 inn.) 8; Schill 6. BB: Rhoades 0, Fahey 3; Schill 0.

Top hitters: B, Fahey 2B; Rhoades 1x2, RBI. A, Cristin Casey 1x3, run; Schill 2x3, HR, run, 2 RBI; Claire Nelson 1x2, run.

Records: Barneveld 22-7; Assumption 21-2.