Local teams rewarded in WIAA’s softball bracket release

By Jacob Heid

Sports Editor

It crept up quietly, but high school spring sports are entering playoff season.

The WIAA has released the seedings for the 2023 softball playoffs, led locally by the 21-1-1 Pacelli Cardinals.

They are the team to beat in their subsection as a No. 1 seed. Almond-Bancroft and Rosholt will also compete in the Cardinals’ subsection as a No. 2 seed and No. 8 seed.

Moving to D3, Amherst was awarded the No. 2 seed with another 15-plus win season.

SPASH is another No. 2 seed in D1. The Panthers lead the state with 18 state appearances and state titles won with nine.

Pacelli had its best regular season since 2018 when the Cardinals took their only loss of the year at the state tournament.

The Cardinals host the regional semifinals on Tuesday, May 23, against the winner of Rosholt and No. 9-seeded Marion, who play today, May 18, in Rosholt at 4:30.

Almond-Bancroft had a young squad in 2023. After losing six seniors, the Eagles navigated through a nice season.

Almond-Bancroft’s Raegen Omernik attempts a throw on a ground ball vs. Pacelli on Apr. 21. **Jacob Heid photo**

The Eagles finished second in the CWC-South at 15-3 (10-2). The only two losses came against Pacelli.

A strong season has them hosting the No. 7- seeded Tri-County in the regional semifinals on Tuesday, May 23.

A potential third matchup with Pacelli could come in the sectional semifinal round of the bracket.

For Amherst, a trip to the sectional final last season is something the team strives for this year.

The Falcons start their quest in 2023 with the winner of No. 7- seeded Gillett/Suring or No. 10- seeded Menominee Indian on Tuesday, May 23.

Amherst can get a third matchup with Weyauwega-Fremont, a No. 3 seed, in the regional finals on Thursday, May 25, if both teams advance. The two teams split the season series.

SPASH is the third local team to grab a No. 2 seed.

The Panthers get a visit from No. 7- seeded Eau Claire North, who SPASH beat earlier this year, or No. 10-seeded Menominee on Thursday, May 25, to start the playoffs.

Coach Drohner and the Panthers were a game short of the program’s 19th visit to the state tournament last season.

The state tournament is held at Goodman Diamond in Madison from Jun. 8-10.