Mielke Strikes Out 11, Litchfield Uses Late Rally to Defeat New Berlin/Franklin/Waverly 3-1

A dominant pitching performance by Alexis Mielke and a clutch sixth-inning rally propelled the Litchfield varsity softball team to a 3-1 home non-conference victory over New Berlin/Franklin/Waverly on Wednesday afternoon.

Mielke was dialed in from the first pitch, controlling the circle to keep the visitors off balance all afternoon. The Litchfield ace tossed a complete game, scattering five hits over seven innings while striking out an impressive 11 NBFW batters. She issued just three walks and did not allow a single earned run in a masterful 114-pitch outing.

For the first five innings, the contest was locked in a tense, scoreless pitching duel. Litchfield finally broke through in the bottom of the sixth inning, manufacturing the timely hits necessary to give Mielke the run support she deserved.

The Purple Panthers erupted for three runs in the decisive sixth frame. Marissa Bono provided the game’s biggest swing, driving in two runs to break the deadlock and give Litchfield the lead. Charlie Bono also sparked the offense by ripping a double and eventually coming around to score, while Emma Estell crossed the plate and recorded a hit of her own. Kinley Hemken chipped in with a crucial RBI to cap the scoring surge. Chloe Green and Aria Feeley also contributed to the five-hit team effort with a single apiece.

Trailing 3-0 heading into their final at-bat, NBFW managed to push an unearned run across in the top of the seventh. However, Mielke and the Litchfield defense—anchored by 11 putouts from Marissa Bono—shut the door on the late comeback attempt to secure the win.

Game Summary

Score by Quarters

(Note: Innings played)

Scoring Drives

• 6th Inning:

  • Litchfield: 3 Runs.

• 7th Inning:

  • NBFW (CO-OP): 1 Run.

Individual Statistics

BATTING:

• Litchfield: Marissa Bono 1-3, 1 R, 2 RBI; Charlie Bono 1-3, 1 2B, 1 R; Emma Estell 1-2, 1 R; Kinley Hemken 0-3, 1 RBI; Chloe Green 1-1; Aria Feeley 1-3.

• NBFW (CO-OP): Statistics not provided.

PITCHING:

• Litchfield: Alexis Mielke (W, 1-0) – 7.0 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 3 BB, 11 K.

• NBFW (CO-OP): Statistics not provided.

FIELDING:

• Litchfield: Marissa Bono (11 PO, 0 E); Charlie Bono (5 PO, 0 E); Madi Rimar (2 PO, 0 E); Kinley Hemken (1 PO, 0 E). Team Errors: 2.

• NBFW (CO-OP): Statistics not provided.