The WIAA softball tournament is set to kick off from Goodman Diamond in Madison on Wednesday, June. 10 and Central Wisconsin is well-represented bringing six area schools to the state tournament this season.
With Almond-Bancroft’s return to state, and Marathon and Athen’s first-ever appearances there is much to know ahead of Wisconsin high school’s most important softball tournament of the year.
We got you covered right here with an inside look at each Central Wisconsin team represented in the 2026 state softball tournament, including information about their semifinal or quarterfinal opponnent.
Marathon (Division 3)
Before the season, the Marathon softball ladies knew this year would be different.
They proved that to be true when they beat Auburndale 3-2 in their third attempt for the year in the Division 3 sectional championship.
The Red Raiders will now face Mineral Point who is making their second-consecutive WIAA state tournament appearance in the semifinal round on Thursday, June. 11 with a win or go home stipulation.
Marathon’s win over Auburndale, who took the Marawood conference crown, helped them reach their first WIAA state softball tournament in program history.
They hope to carry their year-long momentum, dating back to last summer, into and through the state tournament in efforts to bring back Marathon’s first-ever softball state championship.
No. 7 Marshfield (Division 1)
Marshfield is set to make their first Division 1 WIAA state tournament appearance since 1998 behind a furious 11-0 shutout victory in six innings over Chippewa Falls.
Tigers’ junior Lillian Griesbach got the scoring onslaught underway belting a two- run double before junior Avery Kelnhofer smashed a solo home run to center field helping the Tigers get an early handle on the sectional final game in the first inning.
Marshfield’s Madilynn Cole added to the Tigers big day, hitting a solo home run in the top of the second, Arianna Pugh smashed a three-run homerun to center field, in the top of the third.
The Tigers’ opponent Muskego, who finished atop the Classic Eight conference with a 13-1 record, has a tournament drought similar to the Tigers, having not notched a state tournament bid since the 1996 season.
When Marshfield and Muskego meet in the Division 1 quarterfinal on Wednesday, June. 10 at 11. a.m., it will be the first meeting between the two programs this season.
No. 2 Stevens Point (Division 1)
Stevens Point is making their return to the state softball tournament, already wielding the most wins in state history with nine, and total appearances with 19.
The Panthers 7-6 win over Green Bay Preble helped them clinch their first trip back to the state tournament since 2017 and in the quarterfinals they’ll meet Appleton North who is making their first trip back since 2018.
Despite facing Appleton East twice this season, SPASH did not meet Appleton North this season, marking the first matchup between the two teams in the quarterfinal round.
SPASH is looking to add to their collection of gold balls, and earn their first WIAA Division 1 state championship since 2016.
No. 2 Medford (Division 3)
Medford’s 6-4 victory over Baldwin-Woodville helped the program clinch their first trip back to the state tournament since 2006, and the third overall in coach Virgin Berndt’s 36-year career with the Raiders.
The Raiders’ multi-sport talent Zayleah Leonhardt singled, scoring two critical runs with the game knotted at the top of the eighth inning. Standout pitcher Rylee Hraby bent, but never broke, yielding eight hits and four earned runs while notching 14 strikeouts.
Medford’s opponent Pewaukee clinched their first-ever trip to the state tournament following third place finish in the Woodland Conference, knocking off Whitnall 4-2 to claim the sectional championship.
As Medford is still seeking their first tournament win, both teams are aiming to snatch their first Division 3 championship in program history when they meet in the semifinal on Friday, June. 12 at 4:30 p.m.
No. 2 Almond-Bancroft (Division 5)
Almond-Bancroft is entering the WIAA state softball tournament hungry and determined after grazing the Division 5 state championship last season in their return after decades.
Finishing 26-1 and unbeaten in the Central Wisconsin-South conference, the Eagles downed Cambria-Friesland 6-1 in the sectional championship behind three hits and three runs from senior Mya Dernbach.
Pitcher Lexi Carlton continued her strong season in the circle, yielding four hits and one earned run while striking out five in the Eagles’ state-clinching victory.
Their opponent, Blair-Tayor will be making their fifth tournament appearance and first since the 2021 season.
Last season, after routing Thorp 18-3 in the semifinal round, Belmont knocked off Almond-Bancroft 8-3 in the Division 5 state championship game.
Almond-Bancroft is hoping to leave Madison with a gold ball this time.
No. 4 Athens (Division 5)
Despite not having a senior on their team this season, the Athens softball ladies clinched their first -ever trip to the state tournament after a shutout 7-0 victory over Wausaukee in the sectional championship game.
In the circle, sophomore pitcher Jaelin Switlick tossed five innings, yielding four hits and zero earned runs while striking out four to help the Blue Jays get the victory.
Athens’ sophomore Brooklyn Westfall led the charge at-bat, collecting three hits, including double and a triple to drive in a game-high of two runs.
The youthful Bluejays will have their hands full trying to slow down No. 1 Belmont when they meet in the Division 5 semifinal at Goodman Diamond stadium in Madison on Thursday, June. 11 at 9 a.m.
The Belmont softball team is seeking back-to-back championships in Division 5.
Contact or send game stats/info to Sports Reporter Alfred Smith III at alfred.smith@usatoday.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @AlfredS_III.
This article originally appeared on Wausau Daily Herald: Six Central Wisconsin softball teams eye WIAA state titles
Reporting by Alfred Smith III, Wausau Daily Herald / Wausau Daily Herald
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Alfred Smith III, Wausau Daily Herald | USA TODAY Network
