HIGH SCHOOL NOTES

SOUTH’S TENNIS TEAM is all smiles. – Submitted photo

South tennis coach Stu Stempihar did not count a forfeit win last year as his first victory of his career. So after a winless first year, the Redwings got him his first official victory in a season-opening 4-3 decision over Port Washington. 

“I would say very rewarding, and I’m just proud of the guys,” Stempihar said. “I just like to keep an even keel. But it was a good feeling.”

Especially since the Pirates defeated South “pretty soundly” last year, according to the coach.

“I think we were ready for them,” he said.

In the rematch, all four singles players won for South: Ty Smith (No. 1), Kyle Flook (No. 2), Aiden Blomwillis (No. 3) and Touger Yang (No. 4).

SOCCER

Co-op handles Kohler again

Lutheran/Christian has won back-to-back games against Kohler after losing the previous six outings against the Blue Bombers. The latest win, 6-0, happened last Tuesday on the road.

Lizzy Schmitz and Maria Zylstra each had two goals, and the others came from Taylor Batt and Amelia Du Mez.

“It’s really fun to see our team have success,” coach Katie Veldkamp said. “They are always pushing to be better and have great, positive attitudes.”

Bring on Fondy

For the third time in four years, North opened its season with a victory over Fond du Lac.

The Golden Raiders won the 2018 and ’19 season-openers by a total score of 9-0 and they were supposed to take on the Cardinals in 2020, but the entire campaign was wiped out because of the pandemic.

Last year, North did not face Fond du Lac (it lost to Appleton East instead), but the first-game matchup returns April 7 and the Golden Raiders scored a 3-1 win.

South’s plan

South apparently has a formula when it comes to winning first games of the season: do not allow a goal.

The Redwings have started 1-0 five times in the last 12 seasons, and all have come via shutouts.

This year, South beat Sturgeon Bay, 2-0, behind goals by Alayna Lloyd and Lilian Luginbill.

BASEBALL

Much better than last year

Kohler/Christian got off to an 0-8 start last season and did not pick up its first win until May 13.

The co-op squad needed only two games to get victory No. 1 this year, as a result of an 8-3 win at Lutheran last Tuesday.

Eric Zimmerman was 3 for 4 with a run scored, Zane Willadsen drove in two runs, and Landon Hock struck out six in 5.2 innings. All three are freshmen.

“The team jumped out to an early lead and Landon came out throwing strikes,” coach Brett Huisman said. “Throughout the game our freshmen group stepped up to lead the team both on the mound and offensively.”

SOFTBALL

Much better, part II

Last season, Lutheran lost its season-opener, 21-0, to Mishicot and managed just two hits.

On Tuesday, the Crusaders opened with a 10-5 win over St. Mary Catholic with the help of 13 walks.

Kara Thimmig led the offense with three hits and three runs scored, and Grace Portenier added two hits, was walked twice and drove in two runs.