The Sevastopol Pioneers advanced in the WIAA softball sectional tournament Tuesday afternoon with a narrow 6-5 victory over Laona/Wabeno in ten innings.  After the Pioneers scored the first 2 runs in the bottom of the 1st inning, Laona answered back with 1 in both the 2nd & 3rd innings. After 4 innings, Laona was leading 4-3. Laona then went up 5-3 with a solo home run after a 5th inning Pioneer pitching change that brought in Addison Schauske for Libby Ash. Jolene Luedtke led the bottom of the 5th inning off with a single to right field. Kristen Daubner singled, advancing Luedtke to 2nd base, then Alaina Schopf brought Luedtke in on a single to center field. The Pioneers were still down 5-4 but held Laona to no runs the rest of the game. In the bottom of the 7th, Luedtke singled to left field & Daubner singled to right field. Schauske gets up with 2 outs & 2 strikes & doubles on a fly ball to right field, bringing in the tying run, Luedtke. The 8th & 9th innings were scoreless, but Sevastopol loaded up the bases in the bottom of the 10th after singles by Schauske, Ash, & Naomi Rikkola. Leadoff batter, Bailey Rikkola, singled up the middle to bring in courtesy runner Johanna Andreae for the 6-5 win.

Addison Schauske was the winning pitcher, going 6 innings while allowing 4 hits, 1 earned run, & striking out 6. Bailey Rikkola hit 3-6 with 2 stolen bases & 2 RBIs. Jolene Luedtke went 3-4 with 3 runs scored. Kristen Daubner went 3-5 with a double & 2 RBIs. Alaina Schopf went 3-5 and Addison Schauske went 2-3 with a double.

The Pioneers will play in Plover against Edgar on Thursday afternoon at 4:30pm with a state berth on the line.