Off and running

Makayla Westphal and Wisconsin Heights’ girls softball team are off to a 1-3-1 start. The Vanguards lost to Iowa-Grant, 16-6, tied Pecatonica, 2-2, in a rain-shortened game and lost to 2022 Division 5 state runner-up Barneveld, 14-2, in their first three games. Heights then played two games on Saturday, falling 4-1 to Cuba City, and then beating Potosi/Cassville, 7-6, in 10 innings. Heights has three seniors, two juniors, one sophomore and 11 freshmen on its roster. “Our first couple games were against two really veteran and seasoned teams that were a little rough for the girls,” Heights manager Scott Wood said. “Pitching from Makayla Westphal had been solid, but defense is where we need to clean it up. We’ve gotten better already in last 3 weeks as we figure out positions and lineup, so with five games this week we’ll see how we grow.” Photo by Aaron Jacobus