A sharp liner up the middle in the bottom of the seventh inning ended Oconto Falls High School’s WIAA Division 2 tournament run, as the Panthers dropped a 3-2 heartbreaker to Wrightstown in a sectional semifinal Tuesday.
“We were the underdog and won regionals, it was a great accomplishment,” left-handed pitcher McKenna Larsen said.
The Panthers were seventh in the Bay Conference entering the WIAA postseason but had played much of the season without Larsen, their senior, all-state ace. When Larsen returned from injury, she produced three consecutive complete games.
Larsen kept the Panthers in the game again Tuesday with seven strong innings, striking out four, walking one and allowing three hits, including the decisive RBI.
“She handled (the loss) really well,” first-year Falls coach Rochell Otto said. “She worked hard all season to come back.”
Oconto Falls (8-12, 5-11 Bay Conference) took a 1-0 lead in the second inning when a single by Ashley Terry, who went 2 for 3, scored outfielder Nicolle Sparks. Liz Manns added the second run on a fielder’s choice by Maddie Kussow.
The Tigers (25-3) scored two runs in the following inning, creating a 2-2 deadlock leading up to the final pitch.
Brooke Linzmier singled in Danielle Nennig with the winning run.
MaKayla Neinas held Oconto Falls to five hits and was the winning pitcher.
The Panthers had an opportunity to get ahead in the fifth inning, when three batters reached base, but were unable to capitalize.
“Throughout the year, we hit the ball pretty well. But tonight we left a lot of runners in scoring position,” Otto said. “I told them it was a great ride, it was a great defense and we rocked the last few games.”
Larsen credited Kussow, who was an All-Bay Conference honorable mention, for adjusting to a new role behind the plate after spending her first three seasons as an infielder.
“She was first base last year and went to catching and had a hot bat and timely hits,” Larsen said.
Wrightstown will face New London for the sectional title Thursday in Freedom.
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