Winneconne's Macey Clark sets state softball record for strikeouts in a game

WINNECONNE – Macey Clark is the new strikeout queen.

The Winneconne senior set a state softball record for the most strikeouts in a game when she fanned 28 batters in the Wolves' 15-inning loss against New London on Monday. The previous record of 25 was held by Cedarburg's Paytn Monticelli in a win over Menomonee Falls last spring.

Clark pitched into the 15th inning and had scattered nine hits before New London erupted for seven runs to eventually prevail 7-0 in the nonconference contest.

While Clark was disappointed the Wolves lost, she had no idea until after the game that she had struck out so many batters.

"I haven't really processed it yet, but I know that it's a pretty big deal," said Clark, who threw 158 of her 229 pitches for strikes.

She added she was a little amped up heading into the game due to familiarity with a pair of New London players — Maribel Glodowski and Emma Reismann.

"They're teammates of mine (in summer ball), so I had a little extra fire to do extra good against them," Clark said. "We're competitive like that. But I just wanted to win."

Winning is something the Wolves have done plenty of this season. Winneconne is 13-5 and ranked fifth in Division 2 in the latest WFSCA/Wissports.net coaches poll. Though the Wolves did lose to fourth-ranked New London, they have a win over previously undefeated and second-ranked Freedom.

"We have a ton of talent and high expectations," Winneconne coach Jennifer Case said. "The best is still to come in our season. We haven't reached our playing potential yet, but we show signs of learning, preparing and peaking. We expect to finish strong after a tough stretch of competitive, hard-fought softball games that will pay off to make us a very complete, well-prepared team for the postseason."

Case added a big reason for the Wolves' success has been Clark's prowess in the circle. Clark has an 11-4 record and an ERA of 1.37 with 169 strikeouts in just over 102 innings pitched heading into Thursday's game.

"Macey is a phenomenal pitcher and our program has benefited tremendously with her playing a huge role in our success from her freshman to senior years," Case said. "She has heart, grit and toughness on top of her determination, discipline, focus and talent."

Clark's progression as a pitcher has been steady. She struck out 61 batters as the team's No. 2 pitcher her freshman season before striking out 170 her junior year and 169 this season with four games remaining in the regular season.

"She will definitely break her own school record for strikeouts in a season," Case said.

The Wolves also have a solid lineup, with infielder Norah Kutnink leading the way with a .452 average, two home runs, 18 runs scored and 19 RBIs.

Heading into Thursday's game, Winneconne is tied atop the East Central Conference with Kettle Moraine Lutheran at 9-1, a team it split the season series with. The Wolves finish the season at Kewaskum on Thursday, at Mayville on Friday before home games against Waupun next Tuesday and a big nonconference matchup with Luxemburg-Casco on May 20.

"The season’s been going pretty good for me and my teammates," Clark said. "I’m happy with the way we've started and I’m excited to see what happens in the postseason."

Buss steps down as Xavier coach

B.J. Buss announced his resignation as Xavier girls basketball coach Wednesday.

Buss just completed his fifth year as the Hawks' head coach and compiled a 68-53 overall record, including an 18-9 mark last season and Bay Conference title. The team reached sectional play the past two seasons.

"I am thankful for the past five years I have spent at Xavier High School," Buss said in a news release. "I will miss all of the people I have connected with during my time as head coach and a member of the broader Xavier community."

Xavier Principal Mike Mauthe said Buss took the girls program "light years ahead of where it was."

"He brought Xavier success on the court, culminating in a conference championship and multiple appearances at sectionals," Mauthe said. "At the same time, Coach Buss invested thousands of hours building, guiding and supporting our youth basketball program and serving the Xavier athletic department as a whole. We are grateful for his leadership and look forward to celebrating his future success."

Xavier athletic director Luke Herriges said the school will begin the search for a new varsity girls basketball coach immediately.

Area rankings

BASEBALL

* Thursday's results not included

1. Kimberly (11-2): Papermakers have two-game lead over Hortonville in Fox Valley Association title chase. Next: Friday vs. Kaukauna.

2. Freedom (12-2): Irish have won six consecutive games including doubleheader sweep of Little Chute on Saturday. Next: Friday vs. Marinette.

3. Chilton (11-1): Tigers are 9-0 in Eastern Wisconsin Conference and have allowed more than five runs just once this season. Next: Friday vs. Two Rivers.

4. Hortonville (9-4): Polar Bears have won seven consecutive games and are led on the mound by Arizona State verbal commit Thomas Burns (5-0, 0.00 ERA, 58 strikeouts in 31 innings). Next: Friday vs. Oshkosh West.

5. Appleton North (11-4): Lightning has lost two of last three and is in third place in the FVA. Next: Friday vs. Appleton West.

Others: Wrightstown (10-5), Menasha (9-5), Xavier (8-7), Waupaca (7-6).

SOFTBALL

* Thursday's results not included

1. Kaukauna (13-0): Top-ranked Ghosts have dominated teams, outscoring their opponents 58-2 over the last six games. Next: Friday at Oshkosh North.

2. Hortonville (14-2): Hannah Meshnick solidifying her place on the short list for Post-Crescent player of the year with eight home runs, 27 RBI and 9-1 record in the circle with a 1.27 ERA. Next: Friday at Kimberly.

3. Freedom (19-1): Irish suffer first loss of the season (3-2 to Winneconne) but are still atop North Eastern Conference with 16-0 mark. Next: Friday vs. Menasha.

4. New London (14-2): Bulldogs have won 11 of their last 12 games and are atop the Bay Conference with a 9-0 mark. Next: Saturday at Merrill.

5. Chilton (15-2): Tigers have won 15 consecutive games after 0-2 start and are in first place in the Eastern Wisconsin Conference. Next: Friday at Winnebago Lutheran.

Others: Winneconne (13-5), Manawa (9-4), Wrightstown (12-7), Appleton East (10-7), Stockbridge/Hilbert (10-4).

Note: Rankings are "pound-for-pound" and determined by a school's enrollment in relation to success on the field.

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This article originally appeared on Appleton Post-Crescent: Winneconne's Macey Clark sets state record for strikeouts