By Chris Bennett
Sports correspondent
One of the best seasons in the history of Elkhorn Area High School softball ended after just one game in the postseason.
Waterford beat the Elks 5-2 May 24 in a WIAA Division 1 regional game at Elkhorn.
The Elks finished the season with an overall record of 14-10, and went 7-7 and finished third in the Southern Lakes Conference.
“We just did not do enough to win,” Elks coach Steve Remington said. “Timely errors and the lack of hits was our demise.
“Playing a team for the fourth time in a season is also tough.”
Elkhorn beat Waterford three times in a span of 10 days in early May. The Elks beat the Wolverines 8-2 and 7-0 in a Southern Lakes Conference doubleheader May 5 at Sunset Park in Elkhorn.
Elkhorn beat Waterford 1-0 May 13 as part of a non-conference quadrangular at Kettle Moraine High School.
The Elks led the Wolverines 2-0 after scoring a run in both the third and fourth innings. Brooke Walek’s three-run home run in the fifth inning gave Waterford the lead for good.
Waterford added two more runs in the top of the seventh. Wolverines coach Steve Kirst said his team’s defense kept the Elks at bay.
“Our defense kept us in the game by playing errorless ball,” Kirst said. “Outstanding plays by Jemma Fiehweg at shortstop and Calla Esch at first smothered two potential rallies by Elkhorn.”
Elks pitcher Izzy Regner threw a complete game in the loss and struck out four. Whitney Salamone went 1-for-3 with a run batted in and Regner went 2-for-2 with a run scored.
Waterford pitcher Gabe LePine threw a complete game victory, and struck-out 10. Walek finished 4-for-4 with four RBI.
Waterford lost 6-1 May 27 to Janesville Craig at Craig in the regional final.
Remington said he believes the Elks’ 14 victories are an all-time mark for the program. Elkhorn met its goal of finishing .500 in the SLC, regarded as the state’s toughest conference for high school softball.
“I am very proud of this team and the direction of our program,” Kirst said. “We have so many great things to take away from this season. We’re returning most of our team next year.”
