WMU softball rolls to regional semifinals

WINFIELD — One year ago, the Winfield-Mount Union softball team seemed destined to reach the Class 1A regional semifinals, only to have a scrappy squad from the same county upset them in the second round. On Wednesday night, the Wolves finally got payback.

WMU led from start to finish in a 10-0 six-inning victory over New London in the Class 1A Region 8 quarterfinals. The 15th-ranked Wolves avenged a 5-1 loss in the same round one year prior.

After WMU ace Madie Anderson shut the Tigers down in the first inning, the Wolves wasted no time getting on the board, plating two in the opening frame. The score would stay 2-0 until another WMU run in the third.

The Wolves led 3-0 entering the fourth frame, and that’s when they really put the pedal to the medal, plating four runs in the fourth, two in the fifth and one in the sixth to end the game early.

Madie Anderson had another strong outing in the circle, pitching a one-hit shutout. She struck out 15 New London batters and walked only one en route to a postseason victory.

Anderson had a nice night at the plate, going 1-for-2 with three RBIs. Medlina Oepping knocked in two runs. Anna Anderson and Molly Miller each knocked in one.

The top of the WMU order was strong all night long. Second batter Kayreanna Sharar went 4-for-4 with four singles and three runs scored. Leadoff hitter Carlee Sloan finished 2-for-2 with three runs scored.

Ashlyn McSorley had the only hit of the night for New London. She finished 1-for-2 with a single. Elly Manning drew the only walk.

Manning threw a complete game for the Tigers. She gave up 10 runs, but only two of them were earned. She struck out two WMU batters.

New London finished the season 7-23. WMU (17-5) will host Highland in Friday night’s semifinals round.