Freedom has always been a playoff nemesis for the Bulldog softball team knocking out the Bulldogs three of the past four seasons including a 6-5 comeback win last year to take the regional crown.
The second seeded Irish took another one away from us after a 4-1 win to end the Bulldog’s fine season, June 2.
Freedom which got off to a hot start and had three straight batters single as they got one run off a fielder’s choice.
New London left a runner at third in the second inning but was ended on a sharp hit to the shortstop. The Bulldogs threatened big in the third inning as Lexy Zaddack reached on an error, followed by a Jamie Siewert single, Zaddack was forced out at third as Emily Gorges reached safely, Niki Euhardy would single to load the bases but Brooke Fitzgerald flew out to second with a 3-1 count to end the inning. Freedom extended its lead in the fourth when Amy Schumacher batted in two runs with two outs on a single to lead 3-0.
The Bulldogs put together a strong inning when Irish pitcher Bri Garvey walked Zaddack and Siewert followed by Gorges reaching on an error to load the bases for Niki Euhardy with 1 out.
Euhardy did put the ball in play grounding out to short but did get the run on the board. The Bulldog bats went quiet for the rest of the game. Freedom scored its final run in the seventh when Lacey Kolb drove in Schumacher in a single. Emily Gorges gave up 4 runs off 9 hits walked two and struck out 5 in the loss. Three different players had each of New London’s three hits. The bottom four also went hitless in the game. New London finished 18-5 for their best record since the 2007 season. New London will also say good bye to three very talented seniors including 4 year starter Niki Euhardy and three year starters Brooke Fitzgerald and Jamie Siewert. New London has a good group of juniors and some upcoming sophomores that could make another good season.
New London 11 Chilton 1
NEW LONDON – The Bulldogs opened the WIAA tournament on a strong note with a convincing 11-1 win over the Tigers on Tuesday May 31. The Bulldogs scored three runs in the first as Emily Gorges smacked a three run home run. The game was 3-0 until the fifth inning when the Bulldogs extended their lead. Jamie Siewert walked followed by an Emily Gorges triple that ended up going over the fence as a Tiger outfielder knocked the fence down. Niki Euhardy and Kelsey Fassbender each drove in a run on a single. Kendra Krueger doubled in a run followed by an Emily Wilfuer single. The Bulldogs led 8-0. Chilton scored in the sixth when Abby Sattler singled in Kelynn Sporer. In the bottom of the sixth the Bulldogs weren’t done yet. Brooke Fitzgerald tripled in 2 runs and the next batter Kendra Krueger drove in the eleventh run to end the game. Emily Gorges pitched a gem in the circle tossing three hits walking none and striking out 7. Gorges was also hot at the plate going 2×3 with a home run and a triple and had 4 RBI’s. Emily Wilfuer also went 2×3 at the plate.