MCDONALD'S SWNEWS4U.COM GAME OF THE WEEK (April 2–9)
PREP SOFTBALL: Wauzeka–Steuben 2, Boscobel 1

By Derrick Kelley, Courier Press

Hornets overcome no-hitter by Boscobel ace Grassel for first win of 2024

WAUZEKA — In a game featuring three total runs and just two combined hits, the Wauzeka-Steuben Hornets softball team started their 2024 season with a thrilling walk-off win over the visiting Boscobel Bulldogs.

The Bulldogs came to town with ace pitcher Gretta Grassel, a Mississippi State recruit, on the mound, while the Hornets countered with senior Cameron Hurda. For three innings, the two pitchers managed to match each other with zeroes on the scoreboard.

Things changed in the top of the fourth inning when Grassel blasted a two-out solo home run to center field. The home run gave the Bulldogs a 1-0 lead and, seemingly, all the run support she needed.

The Hornets would not go down without a fight, though. With one out in the bottom of the sixth inning, Emma Wall drew a walk from Grassel for Wauzeka’s first base runner since a walk by Isabella Bunders in the third inning. Wall then stole second to get into scoring position. Kylie Manning delivered an infield sacrifice to score Wall from second and tie the game at 1–1. The Bulldogs were able to escape the inning without allowing any more runs.

Ally Wall,  pitching the final two innings of the game in relief of Hurda, intentionally walked Grassel to start the top of the seventh inning. The Hornets quickly got a huge first out in the inning when catcher Emma Wall threw to second baseman Morgan Burger to tag out Grassel on a stolen base attempt. Ally Wall then got the next two Bulldog hitters to each hit infield pop ups for the final two outs of the inning.

Elizabeth Wright started the bottom of the seventh by reaching on an infield error. Brianna Ray followed with a fielder’s choice to Grassel that allowed Wright to advance to third base and then home plate to give the Hornets a thrilling 2–1 come from behind win.

Ally Wall got the win on the mound for the Hornets by allowing just one walk and no hits or runs in two innings, with one strike out. Hurda allowed only one run (the home run by Grassel) on one hit and one walk in five innings pitched while striking out seven. Grassel took the tough luck loss for the Bulldogs despite allowing just two runs (one unearned) on zero hits and two walks in six innings pitched while also striking out 13 Hornets.

Wauzeka–Steuben moved to 1–0 on the  season with the win while Boscobel dropped to 2–1 on the season with the loss.