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MarshfieldAreaSports.com
RHINELANDER – The Stratford softball team opened its 2024 season with a perfect 3-0 record as it won its bracket at the Danny Mac Invitational on Friday and Saturday at the Hodag Dome at Rhinelander High School.
The Tigers, coming off a WIAA state tournament appearance in 2023, shut out Waupaca 2-0 on Friday, and completed the sweep by winning a 12-10 slugfest over Shawano in the semifinals and blanking Wautoma 8-0 on Saturday.
Laney Pankratz tossed a one-hit shutout with 12 strikeouts in the win over Waupaca.
Carly Pankratz and Emma Roeper each had RBI in the victory for the Tigers.
Stratford scored three times in the top of the seventh inning to take a 12-5 lead against Shawano before the Hawks scored five runs in the bottom of the inning to make it close, but Tria Tubbs was able to finish off the complete game victory.
Roeper drove in six runs, and Tubbs had four hits and an RBI for Stratford. Laney Pankratz had two hits and three runs scored, and Kressa Wenzel added a pair of singles for the Tigers.
Laney Pankratz returned to the mound for the championship game against Wautoma and was dominant again, striking out 16 without a walk and allowed just three hits in pitcher her second shutout of the tournament.
Stratford scored all eight of its runs in the first three innings. Gracie Schmidt drove in three runs and Carly Pankratz had three hits and an RBI in the victory.
Stratford will play its home opener April 4 against Neillsville.