Okoboji's Bracelin tosses no-hitter in losing effort

In only her fifth start of the season, Okoboji junior Keely Bracelin tossed a no-hit gem that went for naught after the Pioneer offense couldn't get anything clicking and Wilton managed to push across an unearned run off a throwing error in the fifth inning that allowed the Beavers to squeak out 1-0 victory in the consolation semifinals of the Class 2A state softball tournament Wednesday, July 22 at Dodge Diamond in Fort Dodge.

Bracelin was able to hold the Beavers scoreless for four innings despite walking two and beaming one batter, but two walks and two defensive errors allowed Wilton to plate the eventual game-winning run in the top of the fifth. A leadoff base on balls to Kelsie Dugan got the inning started, then Rachel Brisker sacrificed pinch runner Paige Wheeler to second base. Shelby Broders grounded out to shortstop for the second out, but a double play attempt went horribly wrong when the throw back across the diamond flew over the outstretched glove of third baseman Landi Hunziker. Wheeler motored home for the only run of the contest on the error.

"It seems like that always comes back to get you," said Okoboji head coach Dennis Baschke about the critical fifth-inning miscue. "It was a pretty even game all the way through. Normally what happens in a game like that is that one team makes an error and usually that decides the game. At least it was an aggressive mistake."

The Pioneers (29-6) had several scoring opportunities come up short, including leaving the bases loaded in the bottom of the seventh. Okoboji had five more hits than Wilton (33-6), but ended up stranding six runners on base. It was the second time in two outings at the state tournament that the Pioneers have failed to come up with some timely hitting in key situations.

Okoboji had at least one hit in each of the first three frames. Taylor Poppema was left stranded on base twice after reaching on a pair of infield singles and courtesy runner Jenna Tschetter got stuck on first base after a one-out single by Bracelin in the bottom of the second.

Wilton hurler Rachel Brisker really started to lock in midway through the contest -- retiring 10 in a row and 13 of 14 after Poppema's second hit in the bottom of the third. She struck out the side in the fifth and worked three perfect innings before allowing back-to-back singles by Miley Hunziker and Makenzi Anderson to start the seventh. Bracelin moved both runners into scoring position with a sacrifice bunt. Hannah Hawkins followed with a stellar eight pitch at-bat that resulted in a walk. With the bases loaded, Brisker struck out Maggie Rohlk on three straight pitches and then forced Mary Eckard to hit into a game-ending fly out to third baseman Carlee Grunder in foul territory.

Brisker came out on the winning end of the pitcher's duel with Bracelin. The Beaver junior pitched a complete game shutout -- striking out 13 and walking one.

Bracelin suffered the hard-luck loss in the pitcher's circle after allowing one unearned run off no hits in seven innings of work. The right-handed hurler struck out eight, but had control problems at times. She finished with five walks and hit one batter.

"Keely threw a good game, but hasn't had much experience," said Baschke. "Pitching at state is a big deal and to pitch a no-hitter is a pretty good game. With more time and experience, she's probably not going to walk that many girls."

Taylor Poppema was the top offensive performer after going 2-for-3 with a stolen base. Keely Bracelin also connected on one hit while Miley Hunziker and Makenzi Anderson both went 1-for-3.

Baschke was impressed by his team's ability to refocus for the consolation semifinal game against Wilton despite the loss.

"It's always hard when you lose that first game, but they always play hard -- win or lose," he said. "Anybody can get beat when you get down here. I think all the No. 1 teams have been knocked off, so the rankings don't mean a thing at this level. You have to come to play every single game or you'll get beat down here."