By Tim “Shoe” Sullivan

On a frigid Thursday evening at Iverson Park, two softball games were played in Erin Laffe’s Portage County Women’s Fall League.

As the 2017 fall season starts to wind down, Star Struck (3-6) blasted Morey’s (1-7), 23-7, and Johnny & The Bootleggers (8-1) were awarded a 11-6 win over Two Harps (2-6). The chilly night’s action was so cold that the Bootleggers’ third base coach Hailee Fuller left the field and huddled next to Shae Kellner’s comfy heater up in the pressbox.

As one can tell by the 23-7 score, Star Struck’s ambush of Morey’s wasn’t much of a contest. Struck struck for seven runs in the top of the first behind Sarah Gray’s triple, Chelsey Zarecki’s double, Karli Homann’s single, and four walks.

The winners tacked on seven more runs in the second as Kaitlyn Knutson, Karli Homann, Brittany Zarecki, Chelsey Zarecki, Readie Meyer, and Shae Kellner all hit safely and two other batters walked. Morey’s got on the scoreboard with one run in the bottom of the second as Shannon Hoffman singled to drive in Brittany Spindle. Struck led 14-1 after two.

The game took an interesting twist when catcher Sarah Gray would come to bat for Star Struck. She could bat but a recent injury wouldn’t allow her to run. Therefore, the gal who made the last out would line up behind home plate and get in a sprinter’s stance. When Sarah hit the ball, the runner would take off. Her courtesy runners came up with a triple, single, and double. Star Struck’s players also were decked out in Halloween attire, and Readie Meyer’s Mickey Mouse ears flew off when she went sliding in with a third-inning double.

Star Struck came up with nine more runs over the next two innings. In their last at bat, Morey’s pushed across six runs as Stephanie Spindle, Laura Waltenberg, Heather Seveik, and Jean Higdon singled, Megan Ziolkowski doubled, and Shannon Hoffman crashed a long homer to center. Star Struck belted out 18 hits and had ten walks. Morey’s managed eleven hits and one walk against winning pitcher Chelsey Zarecki.

Morey’s Batting Stats: Stephanie Spindle: walk, single; Laura Waltenberg: single; Heather Seveik: single; Brittany Spindle: single; Jean Higdon: two singles; Megan Ziolkowski: single, double; Shannon Hoffman: two singles, homer.

Star Struck Batting Stats: Chelsey Zarecki: double, walk, two singles; Readie Meyer: double, single, Mickey Mouse ears; Stephanie Lynne: walk, safe three times on errors; Shae Kellner: three walks, single, four runs; voted Game MVP by announcer for bringing heater to scorebooth; Kaitlyn Knutson: two singles, walk, three runs; Karli Homann: five for five; three singles, two doubles, four runs; Brittany Zarecki: two singles, walk, three runs; Brianna O’Donnell: three walks, three runs; Sarah Gray’s runners: triple, single, double.

The second game never actually ended although it IS official. Johnny & The Bootleggers were leading, 11-5, after five innings. Two Harps was batting in the top of the sixth. With two outs, Saira Cunningham was on first and moved to second on a single by Kari Stanczyk. Toni Gaddo then singled and Saira raced home. Unfortunately, her foot caught around home plate after an awkward slide. She was safe at home but definitely was hurt with a leg injury. After a 20-minute delay, the game was called. (Happy to report that Saira was in good spirits the following day and is looking forward to next season).

Johnny & The Bootleggers had 17 hits to 16 for Two Harps. Mak Lee paced the winners with a four-for-four performance including two singles, triple, and homer. Cheyenne Hahn chipped in with three hits while Stephanie Thomas, winning pitcher Kristin Felts, Dana Krug, and Kayla Keepers added two hits each. Brooke Sprecher led the Harps with three hits and Saira Cunningham, Toni Gaddo, Kristen DeVogel, Wendy Johnston, and Kelly Renderman contributed two hits apiece.

Two Harps Batting Stats: Saira Cunningham: two singles, run; Kari Stanczyk: single; Toni Gaddo: two singles, several nice catches in outfield; Kayla Marie: single; Kristen DeVogel: two singles, walk; Brooke Sprecher: three singles; Alishea Johnson: single; Wendy Johnston: two singles; Kelly Renderman: two singles; Emily Schnese: good job at catcher.

Johnny & The Bootleggers Batting Stats: Stephanie Thomas: single, double; Kenzie Dorsett: single, two runs; Cheyenne Hahn: three singles, two runs; Mak Lee: two singles. homer, triple; Kristin Felts: two singles; Dana Krug: single, double; Stacey Zarecki: single; Kayla Keepers: single, double.

League Standings: Johnny & The Bootleggers: 8-1. Rookie’s Royals: 7-1. Star Struck: 3-6. Two Harps: 2-6. Morey’s: 1-7.