Brillion beats Tigers in regional, Gade earns 200th win

May 17, 2024

By David Nordby

The Brillion News

BRILLION – The Brillion softball team evaporated a five-run deficit on its way to an 8-7 win against Wrightstown in a WIAA regional game on Friday afternoon.

Cora Tamm and Amaya Brooks scored off a Jana O'Connell triple in the bottom of the sixth inning to push the Lions ahead 7-6.

“I just kind of wanted to put the bat on the ball and just get some runs in, do something for the team,” O’Connell said. “It felt really good just to have that hit.”

O’Connell scored courtesy of a Grace Krueger single in the next at bat to make it an 8-6 advantage for the Lions.  

Kennadie Ott and Kara Hedrich each batted in runs in the fourth inning to cut the deficit to 6-3. Krueger batted in a run in the fifth inning.

Brooks earned the win pitching for the Lions. During the comeback Brooks and the Brillion defense fought out of bases loaded in the top of the fifth inning without giving up a run.

Wrightstown scored one run in the seventh inning but was unable to tie the game.

200th win

It was a memorable way for the team to earn the 200th win in the coaching career of Chris Gade, who has been the leader of the Brillion program for 18 seasons.  

“I would have never known except another coach (from another school) had hit (200 wins) and one of the baseball kids asked me, ‘How close are you?’” Gade said.

The team had a cake ready for Gade after the game, who remarked coaching is more about building memories and relationships than it is the wins and losses.

“Several of my former players are now coaching young girls, so it’s just fun to see,” Gade said.

Celebrating 200 wins made for a milestone night in Brillion sports, but Gade was thinking about the players after the game.

“The biggest thing about tonight is they came back from 6-1 down … They battled back,” Gade said. “It was awesome.”

The original version of this online update incorrectly stated the Lions were down 6-0.

Up next

No. 8 Brillion will travel to play No. 1 Mishicot on Tuesday, May 21. As many in Brillion are aware, Mishicot is coached by Dawn Shimek, sister of Brillion baseball and basketball coach Chad Shimek. Mishicot has reached the WIAA State Tournament five times in the last nine seasons.  

Division 4 regional

No. 5 Reedsville players at No. 4 St. Mary’s Springs on Tuesday.

Division 5 regional

No. 6 Hilbert plays at No. 3 Catholic Central on Tuesday.

Full coverage and photos of the game and Gade's 200th win will be featured in the May 23 print edition of The Brillion News.