Softball Vanguards post second win

Wisconsin Heights’ girls softball team won its second game of the season last week, defeating Cambridge, 8-7, on April 25. The Vanguards also dropped a doubleheader to top-ranked Marshall on April 23 and lost to Dodgeville, 11-5, on April 22. “It is a growing season for the Vanguards as the team is very young and lacks the experience of playing against the senior/junior laden teams they have been facing,” Heights coach Scott Wood said. “While there has been improvement in many areas the team is a step or two behind.” • Dodgeville 11, Heights 5 — The Vanguards committed five errors and visiting Dodgeville had 11 hits. • Marshall 14, Heights 0; Marshall 15, Heights 0 — The top-ranked and visiting Cardinals rolled past Heights in a doubleheader. Haley Wipperfurth, Vanessa Wagner, Izzy Sutherland and Lauren Smith all had hits for the Vanguards in the opener. Avery Graham and Sutherland had hits for Heights in the second game. “Marshall is a team loaded with top pitching and a solid defense along with a solid batting order,” Wood said. • Heights 8, Cambridge 7 — Vanessa Wagner picked up the win and the Vanguards scored three runs in the bottom of the seventh to prevail. Cambridge walked the first four batters in the seventh allowing Heights to close within 7-6. Allison Beuthin followed with an RBI ground out that tied the game, 7-7. Maya Luko’s bunt single loaded the bases once again, then Macy Stampfli had an RBI groundout that scored Sutherland and gave Heights a thrilling come-from-behind win. Haley Wipperfurth went 2-for-4 with a double, while Lauren Smith, Allison Beuthin, Maya Luko, and Macy Stampfli each had one hit each.   “It’s been a tough season for the team thus far, and the win  rewarded the players for their efforts,”  Wood said.