Softball Vanguards win twice

Wisconsin Heights softball coach Scott Wood knew his team would make strides throughout the season. That’s what happens when you have one of the youngest teams in the state. Wood’s Vanguards took a big step forward last week, winning two of their four games. Heights is now 3-15 overall and 2-5 in the Capitol South Conference. Here’s a recap of the Vanguards’ week. • Wisconsin Heights 15, Belleville 0 (5) — Izzy Sutherland scattered six hits and tossed a shutout as the Vanguards rolled to a home win on May 6. The game was stopped after five innings due to the mercy rule. Haley Wipperfurth had an inside the park home run for Heights, while Maya Luko went 2-for-3 with a double. “We have had the discussion regarding errors throughout the season and we can be competitive if we hold the errors to a minimum,” Wood said. “The team had one error.” • Cambridge 6, Wisconsin Heights 5 — The Blue Jays scored five runs in the seventh inning and rallied for the win. “The team played a good game through six innings, but it was not our day,” Wood said. Haley Wipperfurth went 2-for-4 for the Vanguards and belted her second home run of the season. Alyssa Staplemann added a two-run single in the second inning. • Wisconsin Heights 14, Belleville 7 — The Vanguards pounded out 13 hits and beat Belleville for the second time last week.  Izzy Sutherland pitched seven innings, struck out nine and allowed just three earned runs. Haley Wipperfurth went 3-for-4 with a home run and stole two bases, while Avery Graham was 3-for-4 and stole two bases. Vanessa Wagner was 2-for-3, stole a base and walked twice, while Sutherland had a double and two hits.   Maya Luko went 2-for-5 and Macy Stampfli was 1-for-4 with two stolen bases.  • Potosi 12, Wisconsin Heights 2 — Host Potosi scored nine unearned runs in the second inning and downed the Vanguards on May 10. “Along with the errors and hitting three batters, we had three base running errors,” Wood said. “It was a long bus ride home.”