Day one of the WIAA State Baseball tournament is in the books, and four teams are one step closer to a state title.
The tournament at Neuroscience Group Field in Grand Chute kicked off with Division 1 quarterfinals, where #4 Madison Memorial jumped out to a big lead early over #5 Fond du Lac, and held on for an 8-4 win.
The Spartans used small ball to earn the win, only notching one extra base hit.
In game two, #1 Muskego overcame a 5-run 3rd inning by #8 Marquette to earn a 7-5 win.
The Warriors entered the bottom of the 6th inning down 5-4, but a Carter Nicolato triple brought home a pair, and Cooper Wendt brought him home with a double to flip the script.
#3 Kaukauna’s slow day at the plate turned around at the end, as they earned a 4-1 win over #6 River Falls.
Carson Gates went the distance on the mound for the Galloping Ghosts, allowing 5 hits while striking out as many batters.
In the final D1 Quarterfinal matchup, it was the first upset of the tournament.
#7 Nicolet took down #2 Milton 3-2, thanks to a 2-run single from Harrison Kaczor and a 1-run single from Quinn Bork.
Semifinals in two divisions are on tap for today, including two teams from Eastern Wisconsin.
The 3-seeded Reedsville Panthers, in the school’s first trip to the state baseball tournament, will open up the day at 9:00 a.m. with a Division 4 matchup against #2 Potosi-Cassville, followed by #1 Columbus Catholic battling #4 Loyal.
The Division 3 semis will begin with #3 Cedar Grove-Belgium taking on #2 Marathon at 2:30 p.m.
That will be followed by a matchup between #1 St. Croix Falls and #4 Dodgeville.
Day 3 will feature the Division 2 and Division 1 semifinals, and champions will be crowned on Thursday.
