Softball Coach: ‘We Did Our Best’

The Hamilton High School girls softball team traveled to Madison Thursday morning for the first time since 1991 for the state softball tournament, but their winning streak ended there.

Playing against Chippewa Falls High School, the Chargers gave up 10 runs in the first inning and eventually lost 18-2, according to the Journal Sentinel. However, Hamilton coach Jim Lawinger says even though they lost, spirits remain high.

“The most satisfying game to play is the section finals because you feel like an instant winner – you get to go to state,” Lawinger said. “The state game is just an after effect of what we felt after qualifying, and when you go, you might win the gold ball. But when you don’t, you get done with the game and say you did your best.”

The Chargers qualifying them for the state game. However, with Fall’s 26-2 overall record, Lawinger said the Hamilton girls might have felt a bit intimidated.

“I think the girls felt the nerves set in before the game,” Lawinger said. “The experience factor definitely played a role, and the Chippewa Falls team probably couldn’t have played a more perfect game.”

Hamilton senior Katie Weber opened the game with a triple, hitting home plate after Jenny Shernell’s bunt, but the Journal Sentinel reports it all went downhill from there.

“The Falls just crushed the ball where we couldn’t get it, missing our glove by six inches a few times,” said Lawinger. “It’s just one of those games that ain’t going to happen in softball.”