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First three hitters fuel Janesville Craig victory, Parker falls

MIDDLETON — The Janesville Craig softball team has played some games this season that have made Coach Dan Bayreuther cringe a bit.

The Cougar coach did nothing but smile a lot Thursday at Middleton.

Craig, led by its first three hitters, pounded out 15 hits in a 13-1 victory over the Cardinals in five innings.

“It was definitely about as perfect a game as we could play,” Bayreuther said. “In all facets of the game, they did very well. Hopefully we can keep this momentum going.”

The Cougars’ top three batters in the order—Haley Bayreuther, Stephanie Perleberg and Leigh Grall—went a combined 10-for-11 with three doubles, a triple and a homer.

Bayreuther and Grall each went 4-for-4, while Perleberg went 2-for-3. Grall had a double and homer, and Bayreuther had a double and triple.

Craig’s excellence was not limited to the offense.

Middleton scored its only run of the game in the first inning and had a runner on third with two outs. Middleton pitcher Ashley Stormer then drilled a liner to left, and Stephanie Kalish caught it to end the inning.

“She made an unbelievable catch,” Bayreuther said. “That for sure would have been a triple. That turned it around. After that (Paige) Weber didn’t have any trouble.”

Weber struck out four, walked one and allowed just three hits.

Craig, 9-3 in the Big Eight and 12-3 overall, will host Janesville Parker on Tuesday at the Janesville Youth Sports Complex.

CRAIG 13, MIDDLETON 1

Craig 510 34—13 15 1

Middleton 100 00—1 3 1

Weber and Sullivan; Stormer, Brown (5) and Robson.

Leading hitters—Bayreuther (JC) 4x4, Perleberg (JC) 2x3, Grall (JC) 4x4, Clark (JC) 2x3. 2B—Bayreuther (JC), Perleberg (JC), Grall (JC), Kelly (JC), Cramer (JC), Clark (JC). 3B—Bayreuther (JC). HR—Grall (JC).

SO—Weber (JC) 4, Stormer (M) 1, Brown (M) 1. BB—Weber 1.

-- Sun Prairie 8, Parker 0—The Vikings fell to .500 in the Big Eight with the loss.

Sun Prairie (12-1), which sits atop the Big Eight standings, scored four runs in the top of the seventh.

“Although we didn’t win, it was a much better effort today by us compared to the first time we played them,” Parker coach Jenni Seisser said. “They 10-runned us the first time and dominated the game.

“Today, we were right there with them until it got away from us in the seventh.”

Parker (6-9, 6-6) plays Janesville Craig on Tuesday at the Youth Sports Complex.

SUN PRAIRIE 8, PARKER 0

Sun Prairie 002 002 4—8 12 0

Parker 000 000 0—0 2 3

Running and Holmes; Muehlenkamp, Ross (4) and Henke.

Leading hitters—Hoppmann (SP) 2x3, Holmes (SP) 3x4, Running (SP) 2x4. 2B—Hummer (SP), Dammen (SP).

SO—Running (SP) 9, Muehlenkamp (P) 1, Ross (P) 1. BB—Running 3, Muehlenkamp 1, Ross 1.