WIAA State Softball Preview: Division 1
Monday, June 5th, 2017 -- 10:15 AM
The 42nd Annual Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association State Softball Tournament will take place Thursday-Saturday, June 8-10, at Goodman Diamond on the University of Wisconsin campus in Madison. Here's a preview of the Division 1 Field.....LAST YEAR: Stevens Point won its membership-leading ninth championship by capturing the Division 1 title with a convincing 16-4 victory over Watertown in the championship game.
Thursday, June 8
Division 1 Quarterfinals
Game-1: Wilmot Union (22-4) vs. Germantown (17-9) - 8 a.m.
Game-2: Menomonee Falls (22-5) vs. Oak Creek (28-1) - 10 a.m.*
Game-3: Kaukauna (26-2) vs. Oshkosh North (25-4) - 12:30 p.m.
Game-4: Stevens Point (23-6) vs. Sun Prairie (23-3) - 2:30 p.m.*
Friday, June 9
Division 1 Semifinals
Game 5: Winner of Game 1 vs. Winner of Game 2 - 7 p.m.
Game 6: Winner of Game 3 vs. Winner of Game 4 - 9 p.m.*
Saturday, June 10
Division 1 Championship Game - 6:30 p.m.*
* Approximate times
THE DIVISION 1 FIELD: Last year’s champion Stevens Point is making its 18th overall appearance at State. The Panthers have won the most State championships of any member school with nine. They won four straight titles from 2001-04, won back-to-back titles in 2008-09 and added championships in 2011 and 2016. In addition, they captured the State Class A championship in 1986. Furthermore, they were runners-up in 1985 and 2000. They are the champions of the Wisconsin Valley Conference this year, and they advance to State from the Chippewa Falls Sectional following a 5-4 win over Chippewa Falls in the final. Wilmot Union returns to the State Tournament field for the first time since a runner-up finish in 2011 and for the ninth time overall. The Panthers claimed the Class B championship in 1990. They made five appearances during the 1980s, one (1982) resulted in a runner-up finish. The Panthers were runners-up in the Southern Lakes Conference this spring. They outscored perennial power Westosha Central 11-9 in the final of the Burlington Sectional to return to State. Oak Creek is making its eighth trip to the State Tournament and its first since 2008. The Knights’ most notable experience in the tourney was a runner-up finish in 2005. They finished first in the Southeast Conference and qualified for State by virtue of their 7-2 win over Kenosha Bradford/Reuther in the Bradford Sectional final. Germantown will appear in the State Tournament for the seventh time overall and for the fifth time in the past six seasons. 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 second in the North Shore Conference standings this season. They advance as representatives out of the Kettle Moraine Sectional with a 10-0 win over Divine Savior Holy Angels in five innings in the final. Menomonee Falls is participating in its fifth State Tournament overall and for the first time since 2014. The Indians’ advance to the semifinals in 2014 represents the most notable finish. The Indians are the champions of the Greater Metro Conference this season. Their return to the final field of eight was earned by outlasting Kettle Moraine 3-2 in 13 innings in the second final held at Waukesha North. Sun Prairie returns to State for the first time since 2013. The Cardinals are appearing at State for the fourth time overall. Their most notable finish was a runner-up result in 2012. They are the champions of the Big Eight Conference this season, and they earned their return to State with a 10-5 win over Holmen in the Verona Sectional final. Oshkosh North returns to the State Tournament for the second straight year and for the third time overall and for the first time since 1978. Both of the Spartans’ previous experiences resulted in a defeat in the quarterfinals. Their return to the tournament field is a result of an 8-0 blanking of last year’s runner-up Watertown in the sectional final held in Oshkosh. During the regular season, they placed atop the standings in the Fox Valley Association. The Spartans have outscored their three tournament opponents 40-0 to advance to the quarterfinals. Kaukauna returns to the State Tournament for the first time since winning the title in its only other appearance in 2010. The Galloping Ghosts advance to the quarterfinals following its 2-0 victory over Pulaski in the Kimberly Sectional final. They are the champions of the Fox Valley Association this spring.
FINALS AIRED LIVE ON FS WISCONSIN: Watch the WIAA State Softball Tournament finals on the FS Wisconsin or the FS Wisconsin Plus Channel. The Divisions 2, 3, 4 and 5 championships with air on FS Wisconsin, and the Division 1 final will be aired on FS Wisconsin Plus. Check local cable listings for the channel in your area.
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