May 3, 2021 at 8:33 a.m.
Antigo scores sixth-inning run, edges Hodag softball 2-1
Antigo scores sixth-inning run, edges Hodag softball 2-1
Ellie Preboski scored on a rundown play in the sixth inning, which proved to be the winning run as the Robins edged out the Hodags 2-1 at Lake Park in Antigo.
Rhinelander held a 6-1 edge in the hit department, but was done in by its own mistakes. The Hodags committed five errors, issued five walks and left seven runners on base during the contest.
"We had opportunities. We had runners on third I think just about every inning except the last inning," Rhinelander coach D.J. DeMeyer "We just couldn't get the big hit. Give credit to Antigo. They didn't have any errors I don't think and they did enough to win. We just didn't do enough to win. Great learning experience. We had some base running mistakes, a dropped fly ball, a ball go between someone's legs on the infield. We're a young team. I know that's going to happen. If we make the plays that are in front of us - this is something I stressed - we're going to be fine."
Tied 1-1 in the sixth, Preboski drew a leadoff walk and then got to second after Sam Swartz reached on an error. A passed ball got Preboski to third before Lily Weix tried to lay down a bunt.
"What happened was they tried bunting and the runner on third took off toward home. They missed the bunt. Maddi Roeser looked at her, she went to throw it to third, and I think it was an over throw and that's how she scored," coach DeMeyer explained. "A good throw and she's out at third by a mile. Again, that's inexperience and all something to learn from."
Addi DeMeyer (1-1) took the tough-luck loss in the circle for Rhinelander, despite allowing only one hit - a one-out single to Faith Bussiere in the first. She struck out eight but walked five, including leadoff walks in the third and sixth that turned into runs.
"She had five walks and unfortunately two of those walks scored," D.J. DeMeyer said. "She'll learn from that. We'll address that but, overall she pitched great. She only gave up one hit - and that was on a change-up - so probably a bad call on the coach."
Addi DeMeyer also collected two of the Hodags' six hits, and scored the team's lone run. She hit a one-out double in the third, stole third and scored on a passed ball. Antigo tied the game in the bottom of the inning as Alonna Weix walked, advanced on a pair of passed balls and then scored after Bussiere reached on an error.
The Hodags' best chance to retake the lead came in the fifth inning. Emily Gregesich walked, DeMeyer singled and Abigail Bixby reached on an error to lead the bases with only one out, but Hannah Worachek popped out to second and Kylee White struck out to end the threat.
Annika Johnson was left stranded on second in the sixth after singling and getting bunted along by Roeser. Abigail Johnson and Laney Haenel both struck out to end the inning.
"They did enough for us not to get the key hits," coach DeMeyer said. "They're a solid team. I learned a lot from our team today. On Tuesday (in a 15-0 victory over Lakeland) we didn't get to learn a lot but today, I knew it would be a test. We passed the test in certain aspects. We just got to pass it in all aspects and we're fine."
Annika Johnson also had two hits for Rhinelander, while Worachek tripled in the first inning. Bixby singled with two outs in the seventh but her pinch runner, Lillian Treder was thrown out on the base paths to end the game.
Swartz scattered six hits, struck out nine and walked only one batter in the win for Antigo.
The Hodags (1-1, 1-1 Great Northern) travel to Minocqua to face Lakeland this afternoon, looking for the season sweep. Northland Pines comes to Rhinelander on Thursday.
Jeremy Mayo may be reached at [email protected].
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