Hub City Times

Top Menu

  • Contact Us
  • E-Editions

Main Menu

  • Home
  • News
    • Around the County
    • Arts & Ent
    • Education
    • Government
    • Local
    • Police / Sheriff Calls
  • Opinion
  • Sports
    • Sports News
    • High School Sports Scores
    • Wisconsin Rapids Rafters
  • Coming Events
  • Business
  • Obits
  • Classifieds
  • Video
  • Business Directory
  • Contact Us
  • E-Editions

logo

Hub City Times

  • Home
  • News
    • Around the County
    • Arts & Ent
    • Education
    • Government
    • Local
    • Police / Sheriff Calls
  • Opinion
  • Sports
    • Sports News
    • High School Sports Scores
    • Wisconsin Rapids Rafters
  • Coming Events
  • Business
  • Obits
  • Classifieds
  • Video
  • Business Directory
Sports
Home›Sports›Double trouble

Double trouble

By Hub City Times
April 29, 2016
467
0
Share:
Stratford softball pitcher Lorrie Luepke looks in from the mound as she warms up in between innings in a game against Auburndale on Friday, April 15.
Stratford softball pitcher Lorrie Luepke looks in from the mound as she warms up in between innings in a game against Auburndale on Friday, April 15. (Eric LeJeune photo)

Pitchers Lorrie Luepke and Kiana Weiler have led Stratford softball to a 6-2 start


By Paul Lecker

Sports Reporter

STRATFORD — Having an experienced, top-level pitcher in high school softball is something every team seeks. Having two is a luxury not many teams can claim.

The Stratford softball team has two aces, and the Tigers have been riding the arms of Lorrie Luepke and Kiana Weiler to an impressive start to their season.

Following Tuesday’s win at Pittsville, Stratford is 6-2 and a perfect 4-0 in the Marawood Conference South Division as it searches for another conference title.

“They (Luepke and Weiler) are so supportive of one another,” said Stratford coach Mandy Pankratz, who led the Tigers to a share of the Marawood South championship last year with Marathon. “They are such team players and know how important it is for both to get innings. Sometimes people get selfish, but that’s not the case with them.

“They’ve been doing a nice job and are getting better locating their pitches. They love to work and love to pitch.”

Luepke and Weiler are both 3-1 on the mound for the Tigers, and they have allowed seven hits or less in all but one start this season.

As is typical in the spring sports season in central Wisconsin, weather has played a role early in the year.

The Tigers have had seven games rescheduled already, including a three-game tournament in Poynette that will be made up May 6-7.

A showdown with Marathon, who is also unbeaten in the Marawood South, was postponed on Monday, leaving the Tigers with a daunting schedule ahead. Starting with a doubleheader Friday against Northland Lutheran, Stratford is scheduled to play nine games in eight days.

“(Monday) we were set to play Marathon up until 3:15 p.m. when another shower came through, and then we had to figure out where we were going to practice instead,” Pankratz said. “It’s been tough and hard to keep the kids motivated sometimes, but hats off to them. Whether we practice inside or outside, they are coming prepared and trying to just get better every day.”

Brittany Bredemann, an all-conference first-team selection last season, has served as the Tigers’ leadoff hitter, setting the table for a lineup that has had double-digits in hits in six of its eight games.

Bredemann has 15 hits this season, getting two or more in all but one contest.

Freshman Macey Kilty has stepped into the No. 2 spot, and with a combination of Luepke, Kaylee Geiger, Sammy Kasier, Casey Kolbeck, Sammy Griesbach, Weiler, and Val Licciardi hitting behind Bredemann and Kilty, Stratford’s offense has been cooking thus far.

“I’m pretty proud of where we are offensively,” Pankratz said. “Against Assumption (on April 22), against a good pitcher, that was one of the best hitting performances (nine runs and 12 hits) we’ve seen in the last couple of years. We are tough one through nine.”

Paul Lecker is publisher of MarshfieldAreaSports.com, a contributor to Hub City Times Sports. You can reach him by email at paul@marshfieldareasports.com.

TagsBrittany BredemannCasey KolbeckFeaturedgirls sportsKaylee GeigerKiana WeilerLorrie LuepkeMacey KiltyMandy PankratzPaul LeckerSammy GriesbachSammy Kasiersoftballstratford tigersVal Licciardivarsity sports
Previous Article

Event centered on discussion of Islam hosted ...

Next Article

Weekly police blotter

0
Shares
  • 0
  • +
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

Related articles More from author

  • Marshfield Tigers logo
    Sports

    Marshfield baseball splits twinbill at Chippewa Falls

    April 17, 2016
    By Hub City Times
  • Munsey and Boda were welcomed to their new enclosure at Wildwood Zoo on Oct. 24.
    GovernmentLocal

    Newt Gingrich meets Munsey and Boda

    December 30, 2015
    By Hub City Times
  • Marshfield Tigers logo
    Sports

    Marshfield’s Michalski shoots 84 in first round of WIAA State Boys Golf Championships

    June 6, 2017
    By Hub City Times
  • FeaturedLocal

    Bid awarded for grizzly bear exhibit project

    May 14, 2015
    By Hub City Times
  • spencer rockets logo
    Sports

    Baehr scores 32 points to lift Spencer girls basketball past Greenwood

    December 10, 2016
    By Hub City Times
  • Marshfield Police Department
    Local

    Weekly Police Blotter

    October 1, 2014
    By Hub City Times

Leave a reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

About Us


Hub City Times is published by Multi Media Channels LLC, 600 Industrial Drive, Waupaca, WI 54981.

Timeline

  • December 4, 2019

    Marshfield boys use fast start to beat Holmen

  • December 4, 2019

    Auburndale boys pull away from Assumption

  • December 4, 2019

    Evers appoints new Clark County District Attorney

  • December 3, 2019

    Schulz-Juedes arrested in husband’s homicide, held on $1 million cash bond

  • December 3, 2019

    Flags in Marshfield ordered to half-staff in honor of Hardacre

Find us on Facebook

Copyright © 2018 Multi Media Channels, All Rights Reserved. Designed by MMC Team Awesome
×