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It’s on to Sectionals for Southern Door Softball

Lexi Wery’s double in the eighth inning scored Grace LeGrave with the winning run as Southern Door defeated Valders 3-2 in a Division 3 regional championship softball matchup Thursday.

LeGrave led off the bottom of the eighth inning with a single, and two batters later Wery’s drive to left centerfield scored LeGrave.

“It was a huge win for us,” Southern Door coach Courtney Renard said. “There were a lot of girls who played a good game. We had some big hits.”

The win lifts Southern Door’s record to 19-3. The Eagles host Packerland Conference rival Kewaunee Tuesday in the sectional semifinal at 4:30 p.m. Kewaunee, the No. 5 seed, advanced by upsetting No. 1 seed Chilton 5-4 in nine innings.

Tehya Bertrand got the Eagles on the board in the second inning with a solo home run, but Valders scored two runs in the sixth inning to take a 2-1 lead. LeGrave led off the bottom of the sixth with a triple and scored on a bunt by Jackie Atkins to tie the game.

Valders loaded the bases with one out in the eighth inning, but a double play by the Eagles ended the threat.

LeGrave was 2 for 4 and scored two runs, and Melanie Watters added two hits. LeGrave was the winning pitcher with three innings of relief. Wery pitched five scoreless innings.

“Both pitchers really did a great job,” Renard said. “Lexi was really great in the first five innings not giving up a run. Grace came in in relief and also did a great job. She really battled hard.”

Southern Door swept two games against Kewaunee in the regular season. The Eagles won 8-3 early in the season and ended the regular season with a 10-2 win at Kewaunee.

“It is always hard to beat a very good team three times in a season,” Renard said. “We know what to expect from them but they also have played against us twice and know what we do and how we play. We expect a very close game with them and the team that hits more balls squarely and pitches and defends the best will probably come out on top. We are excited for the opportunity to keep playing in the postseason and are hoping to keep our season going.”

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