Verona sophomore Emma Parker wanted to stay prepared for Middleton senior Megan Button’s changeup.
Parker went 2-for-3 with one RBI, but the Verona softball team couldn’t cool Middleton’s bats in a 9-1 loss to the Cardinals in a Big Eight Conference showdown on Tuesday, May 6, at Verona Area High School.
“Just timing up the pitcher is super important for me and knowing where her balls are usually located,” Parker said. “She kept it low for me and also had some changeups. I think I was really prepared for those changeups.”
With the loss, Verona drops to 11-3, 8-3 in the Big Eight Conference. The Wildcats trail the ninth-ranked Cardinals (15-1, 10-0 Big Eight) by three games in the conference and Sun Prairie East (10-1) by two games. Verona has lost its past four games to Middleton.
“We could have put a little bit more energy into the game,” Parker said. “We did what we could. If things are not going how we want, we have to stay up and play as hard as we can.”
The Cardinals’ No. 1-5 hitters did most of the damage, going 10-for-18 with six RBIs and four extra base hits.
Middleton’s Hailey Stroede went 3-for-4 with two runs scored. Macey Blazek hit a home run in the fourth and drove in three runs. Button went 2-for-4 with three RBIs.
Verona coach Todd Anderson said Middleton is the best hitting team the Wildcats have played this season.
“They pretty much hit every type of pitch we threw,” Anderson said. “When the ball goes to the fence, you talk to the pitcher and catcher and you ask if she missed her spot and they are like, ‘No she hit the spot we called.’ They hit our best pitches.”
Verona senior Mallorie Kreuser started and pitched three innings. She gave up four runs, but only two earned on seven hits and struck out six.
Verona senior Mallorie Kreuser fires a pitch against Middleton in a Big Eight Conference game on Tuesday, May 6, at Verona Area High School. Kreuser struck out six and gave up two earned runs in the Wildcats’ 9-1 loss.
Photo by Mark Nesbitt
Button pitched a complete game and gave up one earned run on five hits. Button retired 10 of the first 11 batters. Verona sophomore Addison Quackenboss beat out an infield single in the bottom of the first inning. Parker singled to left in the fourth and Jillian Wroblewski singled up the middle to lead off the fifth. The Wildcats struck out only three times.
Verona sophomore shortstop Addison Quackenboss fields a grounder in the third inning against Middleton.
Photo by Mark Nesbitt
“We didn’t strike out a lot, but we didn’t square up on the ball very much,” Anderson said. “We didn’t have anything that really tested them. We just weren’t barreling up on the ball. You have to tip your cap to Button for that. She changed speeds enough to keep us off-balance. She did the job you expected her to do as an ace for an undefeated team.”
Verona had an eight-game winning streak earlier this season. The Wildcats have five regular season games left. Verona will host Sun Prairie East on Monday, May 19.
“Get hot going into the postseason is the plan now,” Anderson said.