Raiders outlast Panthers in key early Coulee battle
West Salem’s Ava Hendrickson collided with Arcadia shortstop Amaya Schlesser, resulting in Hendrickson being called out for interference and the Raiders escaping a bases-loaded jam. (Times photograph by Zach Rastall)
Arcadia pitcher Layna Wozney escaped bases-loaded jams in back-to-back innings to help lead the Raiders to a win over West Salem. (Times photograph by Zach Rastall)
One of the most notable question marks facing an experienced Arcadia softball squad this spring is how effectively they can fill the void left by graduated first-team All-Coulee Conference pitcher Kaitlyn Bremer — a responsibility that will largely fall on the shoulders of junior Layna Wozney.
An early test of her mettle arrived in a game that has the potential to hold major implications in the season-long battle for the conference championship, which Wozney and the Raiders passed with high marks.
Wozney escaped bases-loaded jams unscathed in back-to-back innings and drove in the game-winning run with a sacrifice fly as Arcadia (2-0, 1-0 Coulee) went on the road and battled past the West Salem Panthers (2-1, 0-1) 3-2 in the Coulee opener for both teams last Monday in West Salem.
The meeting marked a key early-season clash between the two top teams in the conference from a year ago, with the Raiders coming into this spring looking to knock two-time defending Coulee champion West Salem off their perch.
West Salem’s Madison Elsen blasted a leadoff home run in the bottom of the second for an early 1-0 lead, which the Raiders answered in the top of the third after third baseman Madison Grotjahn singled, stole two bases and scored on catcher Tatum Drazkowski’s RBI single.
A Brylee Vick double drove in another West Salem run in the bottom of the third to again briefly give them a lead, but Arcadia tied things up at 2-2 in the top of the fourth when Wozney drew a walk and later scored on an error.
Though Wozney is no stranger to varsity action — being named a first-team all-conference pick herself and seeing some time in the pitching circle as a sophomore — last Monday marked her most significant pitching test yet.
“I just got to keep telling myself to relax, pitch by pitch,” Wozney said is her internal message in pressure moment. “I know what I can do. I just have to execute it.”
Wozney faced a high-leverage situation when the Panthers loaded the bases with one out in the bottom of the fifth, but she danced out of danger by striking out Madison Elsen and getting Kylie Elsen to ground out to keep the game tied.
Amaya Schlesser smacked a one-out double in the top of the sixth, stole third and scored on Wozney’s sacrifice fly to put the Raiders ahead 3-2.
After Wozney struck out the first two batters in the bottom of the sixth, Parker Powell singled and Ava Hendrickson drew a walk. Arcadia intentionally walked Josie Brudos to load the bases.
West Salem’s Brooklyn Lee hit a grounder to Schlesser at short, and the low throw to Tessah Ely at first wasn’t handled before Lee had reached safely. However, one umpire determined that Hendrickson obstructed with Schlesser’s attempt to field the ball on the play, ruling Hendrickson out for interference and ending the inning with Arcadia still ahead 3-2.
Madison Elsen reached on a one-out single in the bottom of the seventh, but the final two Panther batters were retired as the Raiders secured the win.
Schlesser doubled while Drazkowski, Grotjahn and left fielder Sacia Boland each singled for Arcadia. Wozney gave up two runs on five hits and seven walks while striking out eight.
Madison Elsen led the way for the Panthers by going 2 for 4 at the plate. Brudos allowed three runs (one earned) and notched 10 strikeouts.
“Layna pitched her butt off. I think we just stuck with it, put the ball in play” said Arcadia head coach Dave Bjorge. “Josie’s phenomenal. Any time you can beat a pitcher of that caliber, it’s a frickin’ awesome win. But I think our kids did a good job of putting the ball in play and making them field the ball. We took advantage of any opportunities they gave us. I thought we made plays. We didn’t kick the ball around, so that’s huge too.”
The two teams were slated for a rematch in Arcadia last Thursday, though that game was postponed due to rain and moved to Tuesday, April 21.
The Raiders have two conference games at home and a road non-conference matchup over the next week: vs. Westby on Thursday, at Eleva-Strum on Friday and vs. Black River Falls on Monday. All three games are scheduled to get underway at 5 p.m.
