DeForest softball riding three-game winning streak

The goal for every high school softball team across the state is simple: to play its best at the end of the season.

For the DeForest Norskies’ softball team, that goal is no different — and a three-game winning streak suggests the Norskies are finding their form with postseason play around the corner.

Since Friday, May 8, the Norskies have rattled off victories over Baraboo, Madison West and Monona Grove. They defeated Baraboo 10-6, Madison West 4-3 and Monona Grove 6-5, improving the Norskies’ overall record to 10-11 on the season.

Traveling to Baraboo on Friday, May 8, the day belonged to none other than E’Mony Hardiman.

Hardiman, a senior, went 3-for-4 on the evening with a team-high five RBIs.

Notably, she knocked in a one-run single in the top of the first, a two-run home run in the fourth, followed by a two-run single in the sixth.

Hardiman’s hot day at the plate helped DeForest claw its way out of a 6-2 deficit in the bottom of the third.

DeForest had 10 hits on the day, including another three-hit outing — fueled by two doubles — from senior Raegan Smith, who went 3-for-4 with two RBIs.

DeForest senior Raegan Smith knocked in a pair of RBIs with three hits (two doubles) during DeForest’s 10-6 win over Baraboo on Friday, May 8.

Inside the circle, senior Reagan Oughton got the win, pitching five innings, allowing just one earned run. Junior Natalie Towns closed the door in the sixth and seventh, pitching two scoreless innings.

Hosting Madison West on Monday, May 11, DeForest did just enough to squeeze past the Regents, 4-3, thanks to a strong outing from Oughton inside the circle.

Oughton, who went the distance, allowed three runs, none of which were earned, while striking out four batters.

Trailing 2-0 going into the bottom of the third, the Norskies tacked on two runs, headlined by an RBI single from E’Mony Hardiman, who had her second consecutive three-hit game.

DeForest took the lead in the bottom of the fourth, when sophomore Ashlyn Merk struck a one-run triple into left field. DeForest added one more run in the bottom of the fifth on a passed ball, getting all the insurance they needed to deliver the one-run victory over Madison West.

With only 24 hours of rest, DeForest returned to conference action with a home game against Monona Grove.

The Norskies overcame a 4-0 deficit, thanks to timely hitting at the plate.

In the bottom of the second, Oughton scored on a wild pitch after hitting a leadoff triple to open the inning.

In the bottom of the third, the Norskies scored again on a passed ball before E’Mony Hardiman hit an RBI groundout to cut into its deficit, 4-3.

DeForest tied the game at four apiece in the bottom of the fourth thanks to an RBI single from Ashlyn Merk.

While Monona Grove responded with a run, DeForest’s two-run sixth-inning surge was all they needed to secure their third-straight victory.

Natalie Towns struck an RBI double into center field to tie the game at five apiece before a sacrifice fly from Ashlyn Merk gave DeForest a 6-5 lead and ultimately, the one-run victory.

DeForest will close the week on Friday, May 15, against Waunakee at 7 p.m. They will put a final bow on the regular season the following week, traveling to Watertown on Tuesday, May 19 and Stoughton on Thursday, May 21. Both games are listed for 5 p.m.