Delavan-Darien senior pitcher Jennah Speth struck out 36 batters in the state tournament, a new record. Here, she can’t hold back the emotion moments after Saturday’s loss. (Mike Ramczyk/Southern Lakes Newspapers/Delavan Enterprise
By Mike Ramczyk
MADISON – Hundreds of people from the communities of Delavan and Darien showed up to see the main attraction Saturday at the WIAA state softball tournament – Delavan-Darien senior pitcher Jennah Speth.
The Division 1 University of Illinois-Chicago commit, who was a little more than 24 hours removed from a state tournament record-breaking 22 strikeouts in a state semifinal victory, was back in her groove in the state title game against New Berlin West.
Unfortunately for the Lady Comets, so was Cheyenne Sowinski.
The New Berlin West sophomore pitched to contact, only recording four strikeouts, but kept the Comets off the scoreboard throughout in a 2-1 WIAA Division 2 state championship victory over Delavan-Darien.
The outcome prevented the Comets’ first state championship in their first state appearance, but Speth gave spectators something they’re sure to be talking about for years.
Her 36 strikeouts, including 22 in a nine-inning semifinal victory Friday, and 14 in Saturday’s championship game, broke the Wisconsin high school record for most strikeouts in a state tournament.
After the game, Delavan-Darien head coach Hank Johnson didn’t diminish the historical significance of this weekend’s tournament.
“It’s what you expect at a state tournament,” Johnson said. “You expect a close game. I thought we played our hearts out.”
In the top of the third, New Berlin got on the board after a Camryn Klotz triple scored Maddie Minik.
Then, Sowinski knocked home Klotz for a 2-0 lead.
The lead stayed that way until the Delavan fifth, when Sydney Anderson singled down the right-field line to
The Comets hoist the WIAA Division 2 State Runner-Up trophy Saturday afternoon. (Mike Ramczyk/SLN)
get things started.
Anderson advanced to second on a passed ball, and Shelby Gramly drove her in to cut the lead in half at 2-1.
Despite a Katelyn Gonzalez single and both Jennah and sister Jaida Speth reaching base on fielder’s choices, the Comets left two runners on the corners.
Jennah Speth mowed down the Vikings 1-2-3 in the next frame, and Delavan knocked on the door again in the sixth.
After a Morgan DeLara line out, Hunter Huber smacked a single to center. Taylor McKinney’s sacrifice bunt moved Huber in scoring position at second, but an Anderson groundout ended the inning.
Speth struck out the next two batters and enjoyed her second straight 1-2-3 inning – she had three Saturday – but Delavan went down the same way in the bottom of the frame.
Jennah Speth finished with 14 strikeouts, allowing five hits, two earned runs and two walks in seven innings.
Delavan-Darien totaled five hits, one each from Jaida Speth, Gonzalez, Huber, Anderson and Gramly.
Klotz and Sowinski each tallied two hits for New Berlin West.
The Comets finished the season 25-7, fourth in the loaded Southern Lakes Conference and made school history with their first state tournament appearance.
Seniors Katelyn Gonzalez, Jennah Speth and Shelby Gramly helped lead the Lady Comets to a 25-7 record and the school’s first state tournament berth. (Mike Ramczyk/SLN)
Seniors proud of deep playoff run
“Of course we’re demolished we lost, but we met our goal of getting to state,” said Gramly, one of three seniors along with Katelyn Gonzalez and Jennah Speth.
“We’re also really happy because we proved something for our conference, our town, our state.”
Gonzalez, the catcher, kept it positive after the game.
“I think we played a really good game,” she said. “We did everything we could.”
Jennah Speth, who was emotional during a post-game interview, said her individual records mean nothing compared to the team’s performance this weekend.
“This is probably the most special team I’ve ever been a part of,” Jennah Speth said.
The trio leave behind an illustrious career, led by clutch hitting and dominant pitching.
“It was a huge privilege being on a team with Jennah,” Gramly said. “She led us to state and did an amazing job. We all pulled our weight together, and we worked really hard.”
“Honestly, I’m going to cherish state the most out of my high school season,” Gonzalez said. “It’s been amazing. I couldn’t ask for more, but I really wish we could’ve pulled it out.”
