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June 29, 2009

Three to be inducted into Eastman Fast Pitch Hall of Fame

Sherwood Matti, Dick Slama, Art Fisher

Many people in Eastman and the surrounding area consider Eastman to be the "Fast Pitch Softball Capital of Wisconsin."
Three former players who were instrumental in promoting fast pitch softball in Eastman will be the first to be inducted into the Eastman Fast Pitch Softball Hall of Fame during a ceremony in Eastman on July 4. A brief description of these men's softball careers follows:
Art Fisher started pitching in the service. He was the first "windmill fast pitch" pitcher in the area. Young boys from Eastman saw him pitch, and learned from him. As you know, more pitchers came from the Eastman area than any other place. Art not only pitched fast pitch for Eastman but for many other teams in the area. He was also one of the best hitters around. Art also helped get softball legal in Eastman.
Sherwood Matti started softball in the area. He was instrumental in getting lights to the Eastman ballpark. He was the first manager to organize a team that played in Eastman and other leagues in the area. He played third base and was a relief pitcher for his team. They won many games including the championship of the Prairie du Chien League.
Dick Slama (deceased) was Art Fisher's first catcher. And, for many other kids, he caught their first fast pitch games. He was a clutch hitter and a very great team player. He also helped in getting softball lights in Eastman. Like the rest of the Hall of Famers, he played baseball before fast pitch started and was a great player then also. Many fast pitch pitchers said he was the best catcher that ever caught for them.
These three men will be inducted into the inaugural Hall of Fame class before the start of the championship game on the Fourth of July at the Eastman Ballpark.

Build it and they will come
A poem by Leonard Zabel
Fathers of Eastman gathered. Decide there's a chance to get lights.
Floyd, Dan, Walter, Frank, Ivan, Bernard, Paul, Sherwood, Francis, youngsters Lloyd, LaVerne and Leonard to name a few. If we build it, their kids can play ball nights.
Volunteers arrive-haul in the poles, they were a gift.
Now we must get them installed, power company gave us a lift.
Ed strings up the wires and climbs the poles, now we're all ready to throw the switch.
Little League, 4-H, women and men's fast pitch.
Most farm kids do farm work during the day.
Night time is when they get a chance to play.
Wauzeka, Seneca and Steuben too, they all have a team and a name.
Fast pitch softball, that's the name of the game.
They all came to Eastman, you see the best!
Don't forget the fans. There's Agnes, Maggie, Mel, Willard, Darrel, Chet, Elder, Dan, Orvile, Walter, Floyd, Jack, Paul, Duck, Ted and Nicki, Bernard, Charlie, Lyle and August, Edmond and brother-in-laws Frank watching from the stands.
Fourth of July just wouldn't happen without a tournament, at least a grudge match from a nearby town.
When all is over they all shake hands, very few leave with a frown.
Pitching is the best, with the Fishers, DuCharmes, the Walls, Hollenberger, Grooms, McCarthy's, Zabel, Biggin, Kramer and Trautsch.
Along came Lessard, Strams, Pintz and many second generations, and a few you probably knew.
Many good ones from out of town have toed the rubber too.
Not to name all the hitters, there were many, probably you!
On rare occasion, as we drove through the town late in the fall, my kids would say, "Look Dad, no game of ball."

June 24, 2009

Rickardsville blanks PdC Storm
Rickardsville blanked visiting Prairie du Chien 12-0 in semi-pro baseball action Sunday.
Rickardsville scored 1 run in the bottom of the first inning, 4 in the second, 4 in the fourth and 3 in the fifth en route to the win.
Rickardsville scored 12 runs on 10 hits and committed 0 errors. The Storm scored no runs, had 3 hits and committed 3 errors.
Josh Johnson went 2x3 with a pair a doubles to lead Prairie du Chien at the plate. Brennen Clark hit a double.
Bill Bouzek took the mound loss.

June 22, 2009

National qualifier

Madeline Peterson, 9, daughter of Tom and Lisa Peterson of Prairie du Chien, recently competed in the Wisconsin AAU State Gymnastics Championships. She has qualified for the National Championships, which will be held in Georgia later this summer. Madeline trains with TNT under head coach Tracey Steldt. Madeline has qualified in all five events for the second year in a row. Area grandparents are Lawrence and La Von David and Leary Peterson.

 

Prairie hosts Legion Tournament
Onalaska won the Prairie du Chien American Legion Baseball Tournament Sunday with a 9-8 victory over French Island in the championship game at St. Feriole Island Ballpark.
Earlier on Sunday, Onalaska defeated Richland Center 8-0 and French Island defeated La Farge 10-4.
French Island defeated Prairie du Chien 8-7 Sunday en route to the championship game.
Prairie scored 3 runs in the top of the first inning to go up 3-0.
French Island scored 2 in the bottom of the second to pull within 3-2.
French Island scored 1 in the third to tie the game at 3-3.
The Grasshoppers scored a run in the top of the fifth to take a 4-3 lead.
Prairie then scored 2 runs in the top of the sixth and French Island scored 1 in the bottom half as the Hoppers led 6-4.
Prairie du Chien scored a run in the top of the seventh to increase the lead to 7-4.
French Island then rallied for 4 runs in the bottom of the seventh to take the 8-7 victory.
Kevin Aspenson fanned 1 and walked 2 in the loss.
Aspenson was 2x3 with a double to help lead Prairie du Chien.
Mike Wagner was 2x3 and Nate Mezera hit a double.
In preliminary action on Saturday, Onalaska beat Richland Center 12-2 in five innings. French Island topped Richland Center 18-3 in five innings. Onalaska defeated French Island 8-0. The La Crosse Juniors bested La Farge 9-7.
Also on Saturday, Prairie du Chien beat La Farge 16-0 in five innings.
Prairie du Chien scored 2 runs in the top of the first inning, 7 in the second and 7 in the fourth en route to the win.
Nate Mezera and Kevin Aspenson combined for a no-hitter. Aspenson came on in the fourth inning. Mezera picked up the win. He whiffed 6 and walked 1.
Levi Pintz was 2x4 for the Grasshoppers. Aspenson hit a triple and Jeffery Strandlie hit a home run.

O'Kane named First Team All State
Prairie du Chien High School baseball player Tyler O'Kane has been named to the Wisconsin Baseball Coaches Association All State First Team.
O'Kane, a center fielder, who was also a standout football player for Prairie du Chien, hit .549 for the Blackhawks this past season.
O'Kane helped to lead the Blackhawks to the SWC championship, to the sectional semifinal game and to a 23-4 overall season record.

La Crescent wins Cajun Fest Tourney
The Prairie du Chien Cajun Fest Tournament was held June 12-14 at the St. Feriole Island Ball Park.
Semi pro teams from Iowa were Rickardsville, Cascade, Monticello, Luxemburg, Key West, and Lansing. La Crescent, Minn. and the Prairie du Chien Storm also participated.
Here are the results.
Friday

Sunday Consolation Championship Championship

The organizers would like to thank all of the teams and fans that came to the ballpark to help support the St. Feriole Island Ballpark complex and Prairie du Chien Storm.

June 17, 2009

Two members of Wauzeka-Steuben track team earn All Conference
One member of the Wauzeka-Steuben High School girls track team has earned All Conference recognition for the 2009 season in the Ridge and Valley Conference.
Senior Megan Marfilius was named to the All Confernce First Team.
Marfilius was also named as Ridge and Valley Player of the Year. Marfilius finished seventh in the high jump at the State Track Meet with a leap of 5-0.
Wauzeka-Steuben finished with 49 points in the conference standings.
One member of the Wauzeka-Steuben boys track team earned All Conference recognition.
Dan Molini was named to the Honorable Mention Team.
Wauzeka-Steuben finished with 41 points in the conference standings.

Four members of Seneca track team earn All Conference
One member of the Seneca High School girls track team has earned All Conference recognition in the Ridge and Valley Conference for the 2009 season.
Junior Jessica Alanis was named to the All Conference First Team.
Seneca finished with 48 points in the conference standings.
Three members of the Seneca boys track team earned All Conference recognition.
Junior Jarrett Brandes was named to the First Team.
Freshman Drew Fisher was named to the First Team.
Senior Ken Horsfall was named to the Honorable Mention Team.
Seneca finished with 45 points in the conference standings.

Five Seneca softball players earn All Conference
Five members of the Seneca High School softball team have earned All Conference recognition for the 2009 season in the Ridge and Valley Conference.
Senior Mandi McCullick was named to the First Team.
Senior Kelsey Wall was named to the First Team.
Senior Hillary Bark was named to the First Team.
Beth Manning was named to the Honorable Mention Team.
Abby Olson was named to the Honorable Mention Team.
Seneca finished third with a 9-5 conference record.

Three Wauzeka-Steuben softball players earn All Conference
Three members of the Wauzeka-Steuben High School softball team received All Conference recognition in the Ridge and Valley Conference for the 2009 season.
Senior Megan Pitzer was named to the First Team. Pitzer was also chosen as Co-Player of the Year, along with Kristina Kirchhof of De Soto.
Senior Beth Krachey was named to the First Team.
Senior Emily McCullick was named to the First Team.
Wauzeka-Steuben finished second with an 11-3 record.
Lisa Wallin-Kapinus was named Co-Coach of the Year, along with Tony Paletta of De Soto.

Five members of Wauzeka-Steuben baseball team earn All Conference
Five members of the Wauzeka-Steuben High School baseball team have earned All Conference recognition in the Ridge and Valley Conference for the 2009 season.
Senior Luke Erickson was named to the First Team.
Senior Keith Martin was named to the First Team.
Senior Tommy Kramer was named to the First Team.
Tyler Wagner was named to the Honorable Mention Team.
Christopher McCullick was named to the Honorable Mention Team.
Wauzeka-Steuben finished in third place with a 10-4 conference record.

Two Seneca baseball players earn All Conference
Two members of the Seneca High School baseball team have earned All Conference recognition for the 2009 season in the Ridge and Valley Conference.
Todd Trautsch was named to the Honorable Mention Team.
Trenton Payne was named to the Honorable Mention Team.
Seneca finished with a 3-11 conference record.

Two PdC players named All District
Tyler O'Kane and Tyler Kozelka of Prairie du Chien have been named to the All District Baseball Team.
Tyler O'Kane was selected as a first team outfielder and as District Player of the Year.æ
Tyler Kozelka is on the honorable mention as a pitcher.
This is the second year in a row that a Prairie du Chien player was named District Player of the Year. In 2008, it was Kyle Sime.

June 15, 2009

Two PdC golfers earn All Conference
Two members of the Prairie du Chien High School golf team have earned All Conference recognition for the 2009 season in the Southwest Wisconsin Conference.
Will Davis was named to the First Team. Davis had a scoring average of 42.2 and accumulated 185 conference points.
Nate Keeney was named to the Second Team. Keeney had a scoring average of 45 and accumulated 163 conference points.

Ten PdC baseball players earn All Conference
Ten Prairie du Chien High School baseball players have earned All Conference recognition for the 2009 season in the Southwest Wisconsin Conference.
Senior pitcher Tyler Kozelka was named to the First Team.
Junior infielder Brett Hogan was named to the First Team.
Sophomore infielder Kevin Aspenson was named to the First Team.
Junior infielder Ryan Pedretti was named to the Second Team.
Senior infielder Doug Morovits was named to the Honorable Mention Team.
Senior outfielder Tyler O'Kane was named to the First Team. O'Kane was also named Player of the Year.
Senior outfielder Tyler Wilkinson was named to the Second Team.
Senior outfielder Dylan Mallat was named to the Second Team.
Junior utility player Nate Mezera was named to the First Team.
Senior catcher Blayne Kozelka was named to the First Team.
Mark Pedretti was named Coach of the Year.
Prairie du Chien was the conference champion with a 15-0 record. Prairie du Chien scored 160 runs in conference play and allowed just 43. Prairie du Chien advanced to the Sectional Semifinal in Dodgeville where they lost 12-5 to Portage as the Blackhawks ended their season with a 23-4 overall record. For the regular overall season, Prairie du Chien scored a total of 230 runs and allowed just 96.

Kuenster named All Conference
One member of the River Ridge High School baseball team has earned All Conference recognition for the 2009 season in the Western Six Rivers Conference.
Senior Josh Kuenster was named to the Honorable Mention Team.

Marfilius selected to All Star Squad
Megan Marfilius of Wauzeka-Steuben High School has been selected to the 2009 Wisconsin Track All Star Squad. The squad is comprised of the top senior track athletes in Wisconsin. Megan is one of a select few that were selected in the high jump.
Megan just finished competing in the State Track Meet in the high jump. She finished seventh at the state meet with a high jump of 5-0. However, she has jumped as high as 5-4 this season.
The All Star Meet will be held in Wisconsin for the first time in nine years. This year, the event is on Saturday, June 13 at UW-Platteville. The track meet will start at 10 a.m. The Wisconsin Team will be competing against all star teams from Iowa, Illinois and Nebraska.

Five River Ridge softball players earn All Conference
Five members of the River Ridge High School softball team have earned All Conference recognition for the 2009 season in the Western Six Rivers Conference.
Senior pitcher Cari Mergen was named to the First Team. Mergen was also named as Co-Most Valuable Player along with Belmont junior pitcher Jeni Freiburger.
Senior catcher Abby Mergen was named to the First Team.
Senior infielder Malorie Mezera was named to the First Team.
Junior outfielder Natasha Smith was named to the First Team.
Jesse Mergen was named to the Honorable Mention Team.
Jeff Hodgson of Belmont and Wade Winkers of River Ridge were named Co-Coaches of the Year.

Six PdC softball players earn All Conference
Six members of the Prairie du Chien High School softball team have earned All Conference recognition for the 2009 season.
Senior catcher Laken Polodna was named to the First Team.
Junior second baseman Janyl Kozelka was named to the First Team.
Senior outfielder Terrilyn Farmer was named to the First Team.
Senior outfielder Lindsey Mezera was named to the First Team.
Senior pitcher Britni George was named to the Honorable Mention Team.
Junior infielder Jamie Feye was named to the Honorable Mention Team.
Prairie du Chien finished second in the Southwest Wisconsin Conference with a 10-5 record.

Three PdC soccer players earn All Conference, 2009 Soccer Banquet held
Three members of the Prairie du Chien girls soccer team have earned All Conference recognition for the 2009 season in the Southwest Wisconsin Conference.
Natasa Ljubic, Alyssa Blizard and Anna Stoeffler were all named to the All Conference Honorable Mention Team.
The team recently held its year-end banquet. Anna Stoeffler received the Captain and Most Valuable Player Award. Natasa Ljubic received the Captain Award. Sarah Achenbach was named Most Improved Player and Sara Koresh received the Spark Plug Award.