Brodhead edges Lodi 3-2 to win second straight regional title

BRODHEAD — The reigning Division 3 state champion Brodhead softball team didn’t need to do anything overly flashy or heroic to take down an upset-minded Lodi and clinch a WIAA Division 3 regional championship Thursday.

Instead, the top-seeded Cardinals relied on some small ball and outstanding work from starting pitcher Ava Risum to take down the No. 4 Blue Devils 3-2.

It is Brodhead’s second straight regional title.

All tied at two in the bottom fifth, Jaelyn Hillard and Risum both singled. Leah Rear sacrifice bunted and Hillard came scampering home on a wild pitch. Alecia Dahl then brought the go-ahead run home on her groundout to short.

Dahl had made it 1-0 with her RBI single in the third before the Blue Devils scored a pair of unearned runs in the fourth. Sophia Leitzen and Hilliard both had two hits for Brodhead.

Risum finished the complete game while allowing just one hit and striking out 15. Bailey Stark allowed three earned runs for Lodi.

The Cardinals will open sectional play against No. 2 Poynette on Tuesday in Brodhead.

BRODHEAD 3, LODI 2

Lodi 000 200 0 — 2 1 2

Brod 001 020 X — 3 6 3

Leading hitters — Leitzen (B) 2x4, Hilliard (B) 2x3. 2B — Leitzen (B).

Pitching (ip-h-r-er-bb-k) — L: Stark L, 6-6-3-3-3-4. B: Risum W, 7-1-2-0-0-15.