The Onalaska Wildcats dropped their final game of the season 11-0 Friday night to the Huntington Red Devils in the area round played at Hudson.
The Red Devils won Game 1, 7-6, Thursday night, making it a must-win situation in Game 2. Things didn’t go as the Wildcats planned and the season ended abruptly, as errors were the downfall for Onalaska in both games against Huntington, making seven errors in Game 1 and five more in Game 2. It proved difficult to beat good teams like the Red Devils with many mistakes.
Thad Lilley started on the mound for the Wildcats, going 3.1 innings, allowing five runs, walking three and striking out three. Jarrett Purkerson pitched two-thirds of an inning, giving up six runs on four hits and a walk. Lilley went 2-for-3 at the plate, Conner Ruiz was 1-for-2 with a double, and Jake Gibson went 1-for-2 with a walk.
The loss ends a season of firsts for Onalaska, with the best record in school history at 20-11 and the baseball program’s first bi-district championship.
“By far, the moment that sticks out further than any other was watching these kids become the first team to win a bi-district championship,” Onalaska head coach Cody Pinkert said. “To see them accomplish that goal, there’s not a feeling like it. I’m really, really proud and happy for them.”
