Owls get dramatic win in state debut
MADISON – The action was so intense at Goodman Diamond on Thursday afternoon that it could be felt all the way in Arizona.
That’s where the father of Slinger coach Tanya Villarreal watched the live stream of the Owls' state quarterfinal game against Oak Creek. In a postgame phone call, he let his daughter know what she and the Owls had put him through.
“He’s like, ‘You’re trying to give me a heart attack,' ” Villarreal said with a laugh.. “I said ‘Me and you both. They’re going to have to bury us together.' ”
God forbid that really happens, but if it did, father and daughter would go to the grave with big smiles on their faces.
It was that kind of day for Slinger softball. The Owls (23-2) made their first state tournament appearance Thursday and scored a breathtaking 6-5 victory over No. 2 seed Oak Creek that earned them a spot in the semifinals against Burlington at 9 p.m. Friday.
Sophomore third baseman Katie Kirsch’s single up the middle to score sophomore pinch runner Lexi Koepke – junior Keana Retzlaff's double sparked the inning – with the winning run in a battle marked by each team’s ability to turn the screws on the other. Three times Slinger put the heat on Oak Creek with runs to take the lead and three times Oak Creek returned the favor by coming back to tie the game.
The game, however, was also marked by mistakes. Slinger won despite having four errors; Oak Creek made three. Three of each teams’ runs were unearned.
It was enough to make any die-hard fan feel weak at heart.
“I think a lot our mistakes were due to the pressure of being here,” Villarreal said. “That added pressure and so we went off in that (sixth) inning and I said ‘Listen the game doesn’t change. If you see a fly ball, catch it. If you see a ground ball, you’re going to field it. Just relax and have fun.' ”
Kirsch’s run-scoring single only took care of only half the job for the Owls. They still had to retire Oak Creek in the bottom of the inning, a feat they couldn’t accomplish the previous two innings.
This time, however, the Knights provided no drama. Sophomore Maya Morris put down Oak Creek in order.
“I thought it would be a very hard last inning once I got the hit because we have to (protect the lead), but overall we took care of business and that is what brings wins,” Kirsch said.
In addition to showing Slinger’s mettle, the victory also displayed the team’s depth at pitcher. Retzlaff, the North Shore Conference most valuable player, started the game but struggled so Villarreal went to her co-No. 1, Morris.
She came on with two on and no outs in the fourth and delivered four innings of well-pitched ball.