By Chris Bennett
Correspondent
The Elkhorn Area High School softball team showed the intensity expected by its coach in the final game of the season.
The Elks battled Edgerton for nine innings before losing 7-6 May 24 in a WIAA Division 2 regional semifinal game at Edgerton.
Edgerton (10-11) entered the regional as the seventh seed. The Elks (8-16) were seeded 10th. Edgerton lost 9-1 to second-seeded Beloit Turner in the regional final May 25 at Turner.
“I love those close games – they really show what your team is made of,” Elks coach Steve Remington said. “Grit and determination come to mind. We started off the season as girls that play softball. Today, we are a team of ball players.”
Edgerton loaded the bases in the ninth inning. The Crimson Tide’s leadoff hitter reached base and took second on an error. The runner advanced to third on a bunt single, and Elkhorn walked the next hitter to load the bases.
Remington pulled in the defense to prevent conceding the winning run. The next Edgerton batter drove a ball between the pitcher and second base for the winning run.
Remington said the Elks put runners on base every inning, but did not capitalize as they should. The Elks also suffered numerous mental lapses, and committed six errors.
“We had more mental mistakes than physical mistakes, which ultimately did us in,” Remington said.
The Elks opened with three runs in the first inning. Edgerton answered with two in their half of the first. Elkhorn scored a run in the third and led 4-2 before Edgerton scored two in its half of the third and tied the game 4-4.
Edgerton took a 5-4 lead with a run in the bottom of the fourth. The Elks took a 6-5 advantage with two runs in the top of the fifth before the Crimson Tide tied the game 6-6 with a run in the bottom of the fifth.
Elkhorn did its share of damage at the plate. Rachel Gosh drove in three runs early before Edgerton intentionally walked her for the rest of the game, according to Remington. Gosh also pitched five innings and struck out six batters. Hailey Wang finished with three hits.
Remington said he was proud of the Elks for the effort and desire they showed against Edgerton.
“We played our best game, as far as intensity goes,” Remington said. “I have been waiting all season for the intensity to be there from start to finish. We have shown glimpses of it here and there, but never the whole game.
“The girls knew it was a win or go home game, so they fought until the end.”
