By Jacob Heid

Sports Editor

STEVENS POINT – With a new season, the SPASH softball team claimed another regional championship for the program. 

The Panthers spread 20 hits in a 10-0 win in the regional final vs. the visiting Eau Claire North Huskies on May 25.

Sophomores Kaitlyn Klismith and Mikah Keller combined for eight hits (four each) at the top of the order for SPASH. 

Four other hitters had two hits in the game, while only two players didn’t record a hit.

Being named regional champions is nothing new for the Panthers, so the mindset is simple at this time every season. 

“We just want to be playing our best softball at the right time, and right now, we’re playing pretty good softball,” Coach Tom Drohner said after the win. “We’ve played a lot of really good teams throughout the year, so nothing is really going to surprise us. From here on out, it’s all good teams.”

The production from the top of the lineup is not going unseen.

Klismith and Keller opened the game with two of their eight hits combined, being driven in by a Delilah Abundiz double for a 2-0 lead. 

SPASH added one more in the bottom of the first, leading 3-0 after one inning.

The runs came in every inning for the Panthers, adding two more in the second inning.

SPASH scored three runs in three innings after that, steadily extending the lead to 8-0 after five innings. 

“I don’t know how many times you’re going to get eight or nine hits out of your top two people, but it’s happened twice against Eau Claire North,” Drohner explained. “We’ve got good kids all the way through our lineup. If someone doesn’t step up, somebody else will.”

Junior Maren Sauvaugeau stepped up in the circle for SPASH. 

She went five innings, giving up two hits and striking out six Huskies. 

Abundiz finished the game with one inning pitched. She allowed one hit and struck out one batter. 

The Panthers play No. 3-seeded Chippewa Falls in the sectional semifinal on Tuesday, May 30, at 5 p.m.