Ricardo ArguelloAppleton Post-Crescent
Show Caption
MADISON − Just when you thought it would be difficult for the undefeated Kaukauna softball team to actually get better this season, well, they have.
The Ghosts' offense, which has had a solid season but wasn't necessarily at the level of its platinum pitching and defense, was dynamic Thursday in a 9-0 blanking of Sussex Hamilton in a WIAA Division 1 state softball quarterfinal game at Goodman Diamond.
Kaukauna (27-0) plays Milton (25-2) on Friday at 9 p.m. in a semifinal. Milton beat New Richmond 2-1 in 11 innings. Kenosha Bradford (26-3) will battle Watertown (21-4) in the other Division 1 semifinal.
Kaukauna, the three-time defending Division 1 state champion, has the nation's longest current winning streak at 108 games.
The Ghosts collected 13 hits, including seven of the extra-base variety. Kaukauna senior third baseman Taryn Christopher provided the spark, finishing 4-for-4 with two triples, a double and four RBI. She was a home run away from completing the cycle.
"I've just been dialing down into my own mind," Christopher said. "I'm really focused going up to the plate with a plan, so that's what I did and I was just seeing the ball really well today."
The ball must have seen the size of a beach ball to Christopher the way she swung the bat. The Ghosts scored runs in four of the six innings with Christopher collecting a hit in all of them and RBI in three. She connected on an RBI triple in the first inning, followed with a two-run single in the second and added another RBI triple in the fourth.
"We’ve been really working on some things and I think Taryn is just seeing the ball so well," Kaukauna coach Tim Roehrig said. "I think three of the balls she saw today were knuckling and she just absolutely squared them up. I think the kids are understanding what we’re trying to accomplish at the plate. And I think the bats are getting better. We swung at a few things out of the zone today, but our plate discipline has been much better than it’s been over the last few weeks."
Meredith, the Ghosts' junior ace pitcher, struck out 13 batters and allowed just two hits in getting the win in the circle. Her defense did commit an error − only the Ghosts' fifth of the season − but also came up with several impressive plays.
"I’m super proud of how we played today," Meredith said. "I needed my defense behind me today and they did a great job. Chloe Herzfeldt, she was so awesome at second base. Made some really big plays. I’m really proud.”
Jozy Ebben was 2-for-3 with a pair of doubles and two RBI. Cassidy VandenHeuvel also had two hits and the Ghosts had five doubles. Meredith also had three stolen bases and scored three runs.
Neenah lacrosse eyes state title: Neenah Rockets boys lacrosse team excited for chance to win first WIAA sanctioned state title
FVA teams battle in tennis: FVA rivals Neenah, Kimberly will meet in first round of WIAA boys state team tennis tournament
Roehrig said the team has raised its level of play and that was evident this week in practice.
"Very rarely do you hear the coaches say, 'That was a great practice.' That doesn't happen," he said. "All three coaches the other night said, 'That was a great practice.' So all three of us saw that next level. We kind of shifted gears a little bit and took it to the next level."
Christopher said she and her teammates are where they need to be in terms of play level.
"Before the game I even mentioned that we haven’t even hit our peak yet.," she said. "And I said, 'It’s so much more fun when we’re all hitting the ball and there’s a lot more energy.' I think we really did that today and hopefully we can keep it going.
"We’re all just trying to soak it all in and have fun. We’re here for a reason and we know that, so we’re just playing our best."
Hamilton 000 000 0 − 0 2 1
Kaukauna 320 202 x − 9 13 1
WP: Meredith. LP: Schneider. Leading hitters: Maggie Watson SH 1x3; Karly Meredith K 3 runs; Taryn Christopher K 4x4, 2 runs, 2 3B, 4 RBI; Jozy Ebben K 2x4, 2 runs, 2 2B, 2 RBI; Cassidy VandenHeuvel K 2x4.
