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WIAA State Championships: Day 2

June 15, 2022
By: Maddox Durst
PBR Wisconsin Staff

The WIAA Division 2, 3, and 4 semifinals began today at Fox Cities Stadium in Appleton. Wednesday featured six games between the 12 qualifying teams.

DIVISION 4 SEMIFINALS

#4 OAKFIELD vs #1 EAU CLAIRE REGIS

After only losing one game in the 2022 regular season, the Regis Ramblers entered the state tournament with a 17-1 record. They were matched up against the Oakfield Oaks, a team from the Trailways - North Conference. 

Regis opened up the scoring in the first inning, via an RBI single from C Sam Knickerbocker (2023). Regis led 1-0 for the first three innings of the game.

Oakfield had an offensive explosion in the 4th inning, as they were able to knock out RHP Cole Selvig (2023; Texas commit). The Oaks scored four runs in the inning, three of which came from a bases-clearing double from INF Hunter Sabel (2024). Their lead got up to 4-1 after four innings of play. 

Knickerbocker once again had an answer in the bottom of the 5th, as he tripled and scored, cutting the lead to 4-3. After knocking out Oakfield’s pitcher in the 6th inning, RHP Matt Strahmann (2022), the Ramblers erupted for an 11-run 6th inning. Two triples from OF Alex Leis (2022), a home run from INF Jamie Kostka (2025), and five other base hits helped the Ramblers win this semifinal in run-rule fashion. 

The Ramblers won 14-4, and advance to play the winner of #3 Columbus Catholic and #2 Bangor in the WIAA Division 4 state championship tomorrow at 9 a.m.


#3 BANGOR vs #2 COLUMBUS CATHOLIC

In the second Division 4 semifinal of the day, the Bangor Cardinals had the second come-from-behind victory of the day. It was a pitchers’ duel for the first four innings of the ballgame, as both LHP Ashton Michek (2022; Augustana - South Dakota) and RHP Emmitt Konieczny (2024) were both able pitch around baserunners and hold the opponent to zero. 

The Columbus Catholic Dons got the scoring started in the 5th inning, as two walks and two stolen bases set up C Cole Timmler (2022). Timmler had a 2-RBI single and gave the Dons a 2-0 lead. 

The Cardinals answered in the top of the 6th with a 2-RBI single of their own, as INF Will Reader (2022) drove in two runs to tie the game.  

In the next inning, Columbus Catholic got the lead back with a clutch triple from OF Brock Bennington (2022), entering the 7th inning with a 3-2 lead. 

After Bangor forced Konieczny out of the game, the Cardinal offense erupted for 7-run 7th inning. INF Chase Horstman (2024) gave Bangor the lead with a 2-RBI double. The Cardinals had six hits in the inning, and gave themselves a 9-3 lead heading into the bottom of the 7th.

The Dons were able to make some noise in the bottom half of the frame, as they strung together four hits, and scored five runs. It was not enough though, as a diving catch from OF Samuel Cropp (2024) sent the Cardinals to the WIAA Division 4 State Championship game with a 9-8 victory. 

DIVISION 3 SEMIFINALS

#4 CUBA CITY vs #1 AMHERST

The Amherst Falcons entered the state tournament with a perfect record of 24-0, and looked to maintain that perfect record over the next two days. Their opponent, the Cuba City Cubans, had different plans. 

This matchup featured another pitching duel between the opposing teams. RHP Ben Lee (2022; UW-Milwaukee commit) took the bump for Amherst, and RHP Kobe Vosberg (2022) toed the rubber for Cuba City. 

Both pitchers dominated in the first six innings of their outings and didn’t give up any runs. Vosberg had 13 strikeouts in six innings of work. On the other hand, Lee had eight strikeouts in 6 ⅔ innings. Both pitchers had struggles and hit pitch counts in the 7th inning though. 

For Cuba City, they were able to get after Lee with the help of two walks. Those walks would come around to score, as C Reece Rosencranz (2023) singled to left field, scoring one. The ball rolled under the left fielder’s glove, allowing a second run to score. Cuba City entered the bottom of the 7th with a 2-0 lead. 

Amherst didn’t go down without a fight in the 7th though. The Falcons were able to get the first three batters on base, and knocked out Vosberg while doing so. RHP Blake Bussan (2022) relieved for the Cubans, and retired three straight batters. He only allowed one run, and was able to maintain the Cubans’ lead to seal the game. 

The Cubans brought home a thrilling 2-1 victory, and gave the Falcons their first loss of the season in the semifinal game. They will match up against the winner of the game between #3 Kenosha St. Joseph and #2 St. Croix Falls in the WIAA Division 3 State Championship game tomorrow at approximately 12 p.m.


#3 KENOSHA ST. JOSEPH vs #2 ST. CROIX FALLS

From the first pitch, the St. Croix Falls Saints were all over the Kenosha St. Joseph Lancers. RHP Brayden Olson (2023) got the start for the Saints. In 48 innings of pitching during the regular season, Olson didn’t give up an earned run. He was able to do the same thing on Wednesday afternoon for St. Croix Falls.

The scoring began in the bottom of the first for the Saints, as they jumped out to a quick 3-0 lead against the Lancers. INF Dylan Smith (2023) had a 2-RBI single with two outs in the inning that helped the Saints get their lead to 3-0.

On the mound, Olson was dominant. In seven innings of work, he struck out seven batters and didn’t walk anyone. Olson was able to scatter five Lancer hits, and got the victory for his team. 

He also got it done at the plate. In the 4th inning, he had a 2-RBI double that was a part of another 3-run inning. Before that, the Saints put up a run in the 3rd, so their lead was 7-0 after four innings of play. 

After adding one more run in the 5th, St. Croix Falls coasted to a 8-0 victory. OF Tyler Olson (2022) led the offensive attack for the Saints during the game, as he went 3-for-4 with 3 RBIs. 

The Saints will take on the #4 Cuba City Cubans in tomorrow’s WIAA Division 3 State Championship game at 12 p.m.


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