Local baseball teams seek state berths
Division 1
SPASH vs. Eau Claire North
When: 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jack Hackman Field, Marshfield
About SPASH: The seventh-ranked Panthers (20-3) enter sectional play with the Huskies boasting a five-game winning streak. Starting pitcher Joe Strigel tossed a three-hitter while striking out six to send SPASH to its seventh consecutive sectional. Mack Journell had the game-winning RBI, knocking in Brandon Patoka in the bottom of the sixth against River Falls to put the Panthers ahead 2-1 for good. The Panthers’ Gus Turner-Zick and Matt McHugh, recently named Wisconsin Valley Conference co-players of the year, led the way at the plate and will be an integral part of the attack.
About Eau Claire North: The 10th-ranked Huskies claimed a shutout win Marshfield to advance to the sectional. North (20-3) was a co-champion of the Big Rivers Conference with Eau Claire Memorial. The Old Abes and Chippewa Falls, which split a doubleheader with the Panthers earlier in the season, round out the sectional matchups. The championship game is set for 4 p.m.
Wausau West vs. Green Bay Preble
When: 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, Bay Port
About Wausau West: Zach Pearson connected on a game-winning double to score the winning run in the seventh to push the Warriors (17-7) past Antigo 3-2 to advance to the sectional. Paul Weise tied up the game 2-2 with a double to give the second-seeded Warriors their chance late in the game. Logan Grunenwald struck out eight in the complete-game win.
About Green Bay Preble: The Hornets posted a 4-0 shutout win over Rhinelander to take the regional title and advance to sectional play. Preble made it to the sectional championship last season, just missing an opportunity to go to state with a 5-1 loss to Bay Port in the sectional championship game. The winner faces either Bay Port or Green Bay East/West for the sectional title at 6:30 p.m.
Division 2
Mosinee v. Oconto Falls
When: 10 a.m. Tuesday, Waupaca
About Mosinee: In another late-game win, top-seeded Mosinee scored two runs in the sixth to take the lead over Tomahawk and capture the regional title. Bryce Graveen went the distance, striking out nine and walking only two. Graveen also connected on two hits for No. 12 ranked Mosinee, which won the Great Northern Conference title and owns a 16-5 record. The sectional championship game is scheduled for 4 p.m. against the winner of Waupaca and Valders.
About Oconto Falls: The second-seeded Blue Devils pulled off a 7-6 upset win over top-seeded Seymour to advance in sectional play. After jumping out to a 6-0 lead, the Panthers were able to hold off the Thunder despite struggles in the field which resulted in five fielding errors. The win avenged an earlier 20-9 loss at the hands of the Thunder for Oconto Falls, which owns a 12-9 record and finished in the middle of the pack in the North Eastern Conference.
Division 3
Marathon vs. Pacelli
When: Noon Tuesday, Bukolt Park, Stevens Point
About Pacelli: The Cardinals bring a 26-2 record into sectional play with the lone losses coming to Central Wisconsin Conference-8 rival Shiocton and Division 1 opponent Wisconsin Rapids. Pacelli knocked off conference foes Weyauwega-Fremont (3-0) and Amherst (5-4) in regional play. Pacelli dropped a 1-0 decision to Marathon in the sectional semifinals a year ago. Matt Helms, the CWC-8 Player of the Year, will look to lead the Cardinals to their first state berth since 2007. The championship game is scheduled for 6 p.m. against the winner of Coleman/Saint Mary’s Catholic.
About Marathon: The Raiders enter sectional play with a 17-3 record, losing nonconference games to Iola-Scandinavia and Mosinee, along with a Marawood Conference South Division matchup with Stratford. Marathon claimed the conference title at 11-1. Marathon has coasted through its first two playoffs games, knocking off Edgar 10-0 in five innings, before blanking Stratford 6-0 behind a no-hitter from Ryan Gassner. Marathon is looking to make the state tournament for the second consecutive season and for the sixth time overall.
Division 4
Pittsville vs. Rib Lake
When: 11 a.m. Tuesday, Jack Brooks Field, Rosholt
About Pittsville: The Panthers finished third in the Marawood Conference South Division and own an 18-7 record heading into sectional play. Pittsville reached this stage by downing Tigerton (8-0) and Rosholt (7-1) in regional action. The Panthers are seeking their fourth state berth and first since 2014. In their previous three state trips, the Panthers have failed to win a game, falling in the semifinals in 2006, 2012 and 2014. The championship game is set for 4:30 p.m. against the winner of Gresham and Niagara.
About Rib Lake: Champions of the Marawood Conference North Division, Rib Lake (13-4) squeaked out a 1-0 victory over Loyal in the regional championship game to earn a spot in sectionals. Rib Lake brings a five-game winning streak into the matchup with the Panthers.