By Chris Bennett
Sports Correspondent
The Elkhorn Area High School softball team won its first game of the season April 26 when it defeated Williams Bay, 11-4, in a non-conference game at Elkhorn.
The Elks played host to Williams Bay and Pewaukee in a triangular, and lost their non-conference matchup against Pewaukee 7-6 in eight innings.
“It was nice to get the monkey off of our back,” Elks coach Jacob Schueller said of the victory against Williams Bay.
Each team scored a run in the first inning. Elkhorn scored five runs in the fourth inning and didn’t trail again.
Elkhorn (1-7, 0-3 Southern Lakes Conference) also scored two runs in the fifth, a run in the sixth and two runs in the seventh.
“We had 15 hits, which is big” Schueller said. “We were hitting the ball all over the place.”
Elkhorn’s Hailey Wang finished 2-for-4 with three hits and a RBI. Meghan Etten also finished with three hits. Abbie Kolacke, Bailey LeDonne and Payton Barker each finished with two hits.
“She had a really great weekend, overall, and was hitting the ball seemingly in every at-bat,” Schueller said of Etten.
Jasmine Falbo-Bogart threw a complete game in the victory and allowed six hits.
Against Pewaukee, the Elks lost on a hit that reach the outfield wall, allowing a Pewaukee runner to score from first. Schueller said the Elks had a play at the plate, but the throw took a hop and was tough to field.
“It was a legit play, a good hit, and the girl hustled all the way from first,” Schueller said.
Elkhorn scored four runs in the fifth inning and another in the fifth and led 6-3 before Pewaukee tied the score with three runs in the bottom of the sixth.
The Elks finished with 13 hits. Kolacke and Etten each finished with three and Wang and Barker two.
Falbo-Bogart threw another complete game and allowed eight hits to go with three strikeouts.
The Elks lost 12-0 to Wilmot April 22 in a SLC game at Wilmot and lost 8-2 to Union Grove April 24 in a SLC game at home.
“We just kind of fell apart defensively,” Schueller said of the blowout against Wilmot. “That was about it. Carolyn (Griswold) was pitching well, but we could not field the ball and throw and catch.”
Schueller praised the Elks for playing closer with Union Grove than in previous seasons.
“I was happy with that game,” Schueller said of the loss to Union Grove. “We played pretty solid defense and Jasmine pitched well and kept them off-balance with her changeup. It was just nice to hang in the game with a team like that.”
Elkhorn played defending SLC champion and WIAA Division 1 state champion Westosha Central Tuesday in a SLC game at home.
The Elks play Lake Geneva today in a SLC game at Lake Geneva and play Waterford Friday in a SLC game at Waterford.
