WIAA State Softball Preview: Division 1
Monday, June 8th, 2015 -- 11:05 AM
The 40th Annual Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association Softball State Tournament will take place this Thursday-Saturday at the Goodman Diamond on the University of Wisconsin campus in Madison. Here's a preview of the Division 1 field.....LAST YEAR: Kimberly won the Division 1 State championship by outlasting Westosha Central 6-5 in 15 innings in the championship game.
Thursday, June 11th
Division 1 Quarterfinals
Game-1: DeForest (21-9) vs. Germantown (23-5) - 9 a.m.
Game-2: Kimberly (21-6) vs. Watertown (20-8) - 11 a.m.*
Game-3: Chippewa Falls (24-4) vs. Westosha Central (25-4) - 1:30 p.m.
Game-4: Bay Port (24-3) vs. Kenosha Bradford (20-9) - 3:30 p.m.
THE DIVISION 1 FIELD: Defending champion Kimberly will make its second straight appearance and its 14th overall. The Papermakers have won seven State titles. They were the Class A champions in 1980 and 1981, the Class B champions in 1988 and 1989, and the Division 2 champions in 1993. They won Division 1 championships in 2007 and again last year. They were third in the standings of the Fox Valley Association this season, and they are the representatives from the Kaukauna Sectional following an 11-7 win over Kaukauna in the final. Westosha Central returns for another run at the title. The Falcons finished runner-up last season after winning the championship in 2013. They qualify for the fourth consecutive season and for the eighth time overall. They also finished runner-up in 1995. The Falcons are the champions of the Southern Lakes Conference this spring. They clubbed Union Grove 12-2 in six innings in the Union Grove Sectional final to continue their quest for a repeat title. Chippewa Falls makes its first State appearance since 2012, when the Cardinals won the State title, and their 11th appearance overall. They have finished runner-up twice, in 2006 and in 2009. They finished atop the Big Rivers Conference standings this year and are the representatives out of the D.C. Everest Sectional following a 4-3 win over Stevens Point in the final. Germantown will appear in the State Tournament for the fourth straight season and for the sixth time overall. The Warhawks' first appearance at State produced a Division 1 championship in 1996, but they haven't advanced past the semifinals in their five most recent experiences. They finished first in the North Shore Conference standings this season. They advance as representatives out of the Homestead Sectional with a 3-1 win over Divine Savior Holy Angels in the final. It will be Watertown's first State appearance since 2010 and its eighth overall. The Goslings previous experiences at State have produced a pair of runner-up finishes, one in 1981 and another in 1984. They are the champions of the Wisconsin Little Ten Conference and the representatives from the Watertown Sectional after defeating Menomonee Falls 8-2 in the final. Kenosha Bradford returns to the State Tournament for the second time in the last three seasons and its fourth overall. The Red Devils were runner-up in 2013 after advancing to the semifinals in 2011 and to the quarterfinals in 2009. They are the champions of the Southeast Conference this season and they advance from the sectional they hosted by edging past Oak Creek 4-3 in the final. Bay Port has qualified for the State Tournament for the first time. The Pirates' advance to the quarterfinals comes virtue of its 1-0 shut out over Ashwaubenon in the sectional final held at Ashwaubenon. They are the champions of the Fox River Classic Conference this season. DeForest is also participating in its first-ever State Tournament. The Norskies are the champions of the North Division of the Badger Conference this season. They advance to the State quarterfinals following an 8-7 victory over La Crosse Central in the final of the Waunakee Sectional.
FINALS AIRED LIVE ON FS WISCONSIN: Watch the WIAA State Softball Championship finals of all four divisions live on FS Wisconsin. Check local cable listings for the channel in your area.
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