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MADISON – The Appleton North softball team's journey to the WIAA state tournament has given its faithful a glimpse of what's to come.
The sixth-seeded Lightning (20-8) fell to No. 2 seed Muskego 6-2 in a Division 1 state semifinal at Irwin A. & Robert D. Goodman Sports Complex on June 12, but the program is at a level where state-level success is a likely bar for upcoming teams to clear.
The future looks extremely bright for the youthful Lightning. Appleton North had one senior on its roster – shortstop Alyssa Wald – though coach Chris Nissen said starting freshman third baseman Claire Therkildsen will not be on the team next season with her family moving to Connecticut.
VOTE NOW: Vote for Piggly Wiggly Post-Crescent high school team of the month in May
Nissen said North, which was making its first state appearance since 2018, will have to work hard to get back to the state tournament.
"So now we got to work harder in the offseason," Nissen said. "We got to be in the weight room, got to be there more. [The players] have to show up for the hitting and the other things that are going to matter to make sure that we put the work in to respect what the 2026 team did to put us back on the map."
Muskego clung to a 2-1 lead but broke open the game in the third inning. The inning was extended due to an error by the Lightning and Muskego infielder Grace Swiezynski made North pay with a three-run home run that highlighted a four-run inning as Muskego led 6-1.
"We talk a lot about process over results," Nissen said. "And while the result on the scoreboard wasn't what we wanted, what we would have hoped for, the process to get there was. We worked hard and you have the one play in the third inning – nine times out of 10, we make that play. It's a tough environment and situation. We're playing on turf. We didn't know the new venue, but we never gave up. Our girls continued to fight."
North rallied in the seventh, scoring on an RBI single from Keira Hughes. The comeback ended on a groundout with two North runners on base.
Wald said the program has come a long way and she was excited to be a part of its ascension. North finished 20-8 this season after winning 24 games total the previous three seasons combined.
"We've made it so far and it's been an amazing journey," Wald said. "With this experience the past three days with all the delays, it gave me a lot of memories and it's something I'll never forget."
MORE: Kaukauna baseball ends 72-year state tournament drought
Therkildsen had a double and a triple to lead North, with Evelyn Frega picking up an RBI.
The game was postponed to the morning of June 12 after inclement weather pushed several of the games June 11 to the next day.
It was an exciting moment for Muskego, which was making its first state appearance since 1996 and is now in its first championship game.
Swiezynski's big blast proved pivotal. Cora Jahimiak was also crucial, getting the win in the circle with six strikeouts over seven innings.
"It was a really awesome experience," Swiezynski said. "Our team has put a lot of trust in each other throughout this year, to build up our offense and defense to really go out there and give it our all at every at-bat."
Muskego coach Brooke Balk said the team is thrilled to be playing in its first state title game. Muskego (29-2) will play Sussex Hamilton (29-1) in the D1 title game at approximately 6:30 p.m. June 13. Muskego fell to Sussex Hamilton 10-7 near the end of the regular season.
"We're really excited," Balk said. "We're going to go out there and compete. That's all that we can ask and we're going to go out there and trust each other and go out and compete and have fun."
This article originally appeared on Appleton Post-Crescent: WIAA high school state softball: Muskego tops Appleton North
Continue reading...
The sixth-seeded Lightning (20-8) fell to No. 2 seed Muskego 6-2 in a Division 1 state semifinal at Irwin A. & Robert D. Goodman Sports Complex on June 12, but the program is at a level where state-level success is a likely bar for upcoming teams to clear.
The future looks extremely bright for the youthful Lightning. Appleton North had one senior on its roster – shortstop Alyssa Wald – though coach Chris Nissen said starting freshman third baseman Claire Therkildsen will not be on the team next season with her family moving to Connecticut.
VOTE NOW: Vote for Piggly Wiggly Post-Crescent high school team of the month in May
Nissen said North, which was making its first state appearance since 2018, will have to work hard to get back to the state tournament.
"So now we got to work harder in the offseason," Nissen said. "We got to be in the weight room, got to be there more. [The players] have to show up for the hitting and the other things that are going to matter to make sure that we put the work in to respect what the 2026 team did to put us back on the map."
Muskego clung to a 2-1 lead but broke open the game in the third inning. The inning was extended due to an error by the Lightning and Muskego infielder Grace Swiezynski made North pay with a three-run home run that highlighted a four-run inning as Muskego led 6-1.
"We talk a lot about process over results," Nissen said. "And while the result on the scoreboard wasn't what we wanted, what we would have hoped for, the process to get there was. We worked hard and you have the one play in the third inning – nine times out of 10, we make that play. It's a tough environment and situation. We're playing on turf. We didn't know the new venue, but we never gave up. Our girls continued to fight."
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North rallied in the seventh, scoring on an RBI single from Keira Hughes. The comeback ended on a groundout with two North runners on base.
Wald said the program has come a long way and she was excited to be a part of its ascension. North finished 20-8 this season after winning 24 games total the previous three seasons combined.
"We've made it so far and it's been an amazing journey," Wald said. "With this experience the past three days with all the delays, it gave me a lot of memories and it's something I'll never forget."
MORE: Kaukauna baseball ends 72-year state tournament drought
Therkildsen had a double and a triple to lead North, with Evelyn Frega picking up an RBI.
The game was postponed to the morning of June 12 after inclement weather pushed several of the games June 11 to the next day.
You must be registered for see images attach
Muskego making first state finals appearance
It was an exciting moment for Muskego, which was making its first state appearance since 1996 and is now in its first championship game.
Swiezynski's big blast proved pivotal. Cora Jahimiak was also crucial, getting the win in the circle with six strikeouts over seven innings.
"It was a really awesome experience," Swiezynski said. "Our team has put a lot of trust in each other throughout this year, to build up our offense and defense to really go out there and give it our all at every at-bat."
Muskego coach Brooke Balk said the team is thrilled to be playing in its first state title game. Muskego (29-2) will play Sussex Hamilton (29-1) in the D1 title game at approximately 6:30 p.m. June 13. Muskego fell to Sussex Hamilton 10-7 near the end of the regular season.
"We're really excited," Balk said. "We're going to go out there and compete. That's all that we can ask and we're going to go out there and trust each other and go out and compete and have fun."
This article originally appeared on Appleton Post-Crescent: WIAA high school state softball: Muskego tops Appleton North
Continue reading...
