The Oconto Falls High School battery of senior catcher Madelyn Kussow and freshman pitcher McKenna Kussow put a charge into the Panthers en route to a 7-1 victory over Luxemburg-Casco on Thursday in Oconto Falls.
The win snapped a four-game losing streak for the Panthers (3-7, 3-7 Bay).
Madelyn Kussow propelled the Panthers to a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the first inning with a two-run home run to score leadoff hitter Liz Manns.
McKenna Kussow protected the narrow lead until the Panthers erupted for a five-run sixth inning to ice the victory. She pitched a complete game, allowing one run on four hits while striking out four Luxemburg-Casco hitters.
“The Kussow sisters did shine out there, and both had excellent and timely games,” coach Rochell Otto said.
Otto was pleased McKenna Kussow, who earned her third victory and has pitched every game for OFHS, gave up only two walks, “which was an issue early in the season,” she said.
The freshman hurler’s performance also impressed her sister.
“Some games I am hard on (McKenna) because she is my sister. … But it was a good game all around,” Madelyn Kussow said. “Not only was pitching great the whole game, but the team morale was the best it has been all season.”
In addition to the contributions by the Kussow sisters, the Panthers also received a two-run round-tripper by Nicolle Sparks in the bottom of the sixth to bolster the Panthers’ lead after three Oconto Falls’ batters reached base. Sparks was 2 for 3 with a run scored and two RBIs.
Otto said the senior outfielder struggled early but has started to bring it all together during the final stretch of the season.
“She has just finally gotten started,” Otto said. “The home run was huge for us.”
Oconto Falls was able to capitalize with runners on base, stranding just three, while Luxemburg-Casco left eight runners on base.
The sole run for Luxemburg-Casco (10-5, 7-5 Bay) came in the first inning, when Madelyn Kussow allowed three hits and Sara Kinnard batted in Sara Simonar.
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