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Just ask Dodgeville softball coach Gene Van Dyck about the quality of competition the Dodgers are facing on the tournament trail this season.
"As you keep moving along in the WIAA Tournament, the opponents keep getting better and the games tougher," said Dodgeville coach Gene Van Dyck after the Dodgeville softball team won the WIAA Division 3 Regional championship Thursday knocking off Arcadia 9-4.
"This was the third time in the past four years that we've faced Arcadia in this game with each of us recording a win in the first two meetings," Van Dyck said. "As before Arcadia came in with a good solid team both offensively and defensively. They started off the game loading the bases with only one out. They hit a line shot down the third base line but Audrey White made a tremendous play snagging the drive and stepping on third to end the inning and threat."
Van Dyck said Dodger hurler Lindsey Murphy battled with her velocity, not being where it usually is.
"Lindsey seemed to be lacking velocity and gave up 10 hits while striking out only two. However, her change up was working well and she located a number of fastballs to minimize the damage. She just competed tough all seven innings," the coach said.
Murphy had some strong play behind her by her teammates which helped.
"Defensively we played error free ball with Audrey making several nice plays. They tried to steal second but Grace Borne gunned the runner down and that was big as they had to play station to station ball," Van Dyck added.
The Dodgers also made the most of their trips to the plate.
"We continued to hit the ball well as we collected 13 hits by seven different players in six innings. We were led by Audrey going 4x4 with a home run, two runs scored and three rbi. Really big for us was leadoff hitter Korra Wasley going 3x4 including leading off the first inning with a single and scoring our first run on Grace Borne's following home run. Audrey then followed with a two out homer to give us a three run lead at the end of the first. Taylor Borne went 2x4 with a two run single in our five run fourth giving us a 9 to 2 lead," he summarized.
"Even though Arcadia continued to hit the ball, this large cushion took a lot of pressure off us. We couldn't put it on cruise but we knew if we played good solid defense, we were in good shape and that's what we did," said Van Dyck.