By Tom Anderson, Head Coach

The Iola-Scandinavia softball team lost a tough one to Wittenberg-Birnamwood, 12-10, in nine innings on Thursday, May 14.

The Thunderbirds had a 7-1 lead after six innings when the Chargers scored nine runs in the top of the seventh inning to take a 10-7 lead. But the T-Birds rallied for three runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to tie the game 10-10 and send the game into extra innings.

After a scoreless eighth inning for both teams, Wittenberg-Birnamwood scored two runs in the top of the ninth inning. Iola-Scandinavia threatened in the bottom of the ninth to tie or even win the game with two runners on base, but couldn’t get the runners home.

The loss prevented the Thunderbirds from tying the Chargers for second place in the CWC-East standings. The T-Birds are 9-4 in conference and 13-4 overall. Wittenberg-Birnamwood improved to 10-2 in conference and 19-3 overall.

The Chargers edged the Iola-Scandinavia in the hit column, 16-15. Brooklyn Berrens had three hits and drove in two runs. Rayanne Clendenning, Braelyn Jueds, Maggie Maus, and Maya Munoz each had two hits. Maus had a two-run double in the first inning and drove in three runs for the game. Braelyn Jueds had two RBIs. Maddie Karolus and Brylee Jueds each had a double.

Pitcher Clendenning started the game and was taken out in the seventh inning. Charlotte Isermann pitched the seventh inning, and Clendenning returned to pitch the eighth inning to take the loss. Clendenning allowed two walks and had one strikeout. Isermann walked three and had one strikeout. The Thunderbird defense committed five errors in the game.

The junior varsity team also lost to Wittenberg-Birnamwood after the varsity game, 5-1. The junior varsity record is 5-4.

As always, call the high school softball hotline (715-445-2411, Ext 5000) before each game to check the status.