Softball: Walk-off homer ends Ellsworth's season

Second-seeded Bloomer knocked off third-seeded Ellsworth Tuesday with a walk-off homer for a 1-0 win in the WIAA regional playoffs in Bloomer.

Bloomer’s Sabra Meinen hit a solo shot to lead off the ninth inning and ended the Panthers season in dramatic fashion. Meinen also threw a nine-inning one-hitter for the win. Meinen struck out nine and walked three.

“She earned it,” Panthers head coach Ryan Casper said of the home run. “It was a nice swing.”

Ellsworth’s Halle Hatch dueled with Meinen and allowed one run on four hits. Hatch struck out seven and did not allow a walk.

“She’s just a hard-nosed kid,” Casper said. “She’s had a great season. We should have won that game for her.”

The Panthers (15-5) struggled with their small ball, Casper said, and had trouble getting bunts down.

Serena Hoisington had the lone hit for Ellsworth.

Tags: sports, prep, softball, ellsworth