By Chris Bennett
Correspondent
The Elkhorn Area High School softball team’s respite from the meat grinder that is play in the Southern Lakes Conference last week resulted in two victories.
The Elks beat Jefferson 2-1 in the first game and 9-7 in the second game of a non-conference doubleheader May 21 at Riverfront Park in Jefferson.
The Elks closed the SLC portion of their schedule with consecutive shutout losses. The Elks lost 4-0 May 17 at Wilmot and 12-0 May 16 at home to Westosha Central.
Elkhorn (7-15, 3-11 SLC) opened WIAA Division 2 postseason play Tuesday at Edgerton. The Elks are seeded seventh in their regional bracket. Edgerton (9-9) is seeded seventh.
The winner played Wednesday at Beloit against second-seeded Beloit Turner (17-5) in the regional final. Turner is ranked ninth in the state in Division 2 in the latest Wisconsin Fastpitch Softball Coaches Association/WisSports.net state poll.
In the first game against Jefferson (11-12) the Elks’ Carolyn Griswold allowed five hits and struck out seven in a complete game victory.
The Elks scored a run in the fourth and another in the sixth before allowing the Eagles one run in the bottom of the seventh.
Rachel Gosh finished with two hits and drove in a run for Elkhorn. Anna Bechtel tallied a hit and Mackenzie Shawback finished with a RBI.
Elkhorn led Jefferson 9-0 before the Eagles rallied for three runs in the fourth and four in the fifth inning. The Elks opened with two runs in the first, three in the second and four in the third.
Gosh drove in three runs on two hits and struck out five in four innings of pitching. Hailey Wang finished with two hits.
Against Wilmot (14-10, 8-6 SLC) Gosh allowed four and nine hits over six innings. Elkhorn finished with three hits.
The Elks finished with one hit against Central (22-4, 13-1 SLC). Central is ranked third in Division 1 in the latest Wisconsin Fastpitch Softball Coaches Association/WisSports.net state poll.
