Tosa East drops four GMC games last week

Wauwatosa East dropped four games last week, all four Greater Metro Conference opponents.

Brookfield East defeated Tosa East, 14-4, on May 13, in a game which was moved from Brookfield to Longfellow because of wet grounds.

The Spartans led 2-0 after one inning, and then Cora Bilitz gave up five runs in the second inning.

"Cora struggled in the second inning with her control, as five runs came on only two hits," coach Ed Raue said. "Cora regrouped and settled down for the final three innings. It's typical of a freshman this late in the season. She battled to the end."

The second inning damage could have been much worse, but Margie Van Meter made another outstanding play on a high fly ball, drifting away from her.

"She charged in, caught it and made a great one hop throw to the plate to nail the runner by 10 feet," Raue said. "It was an example of a senior picking up her teammate."

Raue also had praise for catcher Aubrey Nigh's defense, as she threw three runners out on the bases.

"She has been fantastic at throwing out runners this year," Raue said. "Her quick, accurate release has cut down many runners."

The Red Raiders scored single runs in the second and third and two in the fourth.

"We hit quite a few on the screws but again, but right at them," Raue said. "We just can't put it all together. A lot of individual hits but not strung together. It'll happen; I am confident of that."

Tosa East dropped a 7-3 decision at Sussex Hamilton on May 14, as the Chargers pulled away late in the game. Leading 3-2, Sussex scored twice in the fifth and sixth innings to secure the win.

Cameron Tate allowed eight hits, but struggled with her control and walked eight and got the loss.

"We gave Cameron her second start of the year, and she provided a nice lift for the team," Raue said. "She kept the ball down and gave the defense a chance to make plays. We need to throw strikes, that's all we ask and Cam did that today."

Offensively, Nigh and Zoe Jones each had three hits and continue to swing the bat well. Nigh threw out two more baserunners.

"It was our most complete game of the season and it showed we can play with the top teams in the conference," Raue said. "It also showed our margin of error is very small.

"Our goal was to be playing our best ball as the season comes to a close, and it appears we are."

The Red Raiders then dropped a 7-1 decision to West Allis Hale on May 15 at home, as the Huskies used a 4-run seventh inning to break open a 3-1 game.

The Red Raiders could not get the bats, trailing 1-0 through four innings and 3-1 in the seventh. Nigh singled in the fifth inning for the first hit.

"Our defense has looked good, but we are still waiting for that breakthrough inning," Raue said.

East then traveled to Hale on May 16 and dropped a 12-4 decision as the Huskies banged out 18 hits.

Yahn was out sick but Morgan Schmanski stepped in and did a nice job in left.

"She has responded to the challenges thrown her way all year; playing first, third and left," Raue said. That's asking a lot of a freshmen but she's stepped up each time."

"As a team we are executing, which is important. The results haven't been there but the in-game processing is there."

East is 5-16 overall and 2-10 in the Greater Metro Conference coming into the week. They are on a four-game losing streak.