MADISON — For the third year in a row, and fifth time in program history, the Kaukauna Galloping Ghosts softball team has earned a state championship.
In a battle of undefeated teams, Kaukauna claimed the 2023 WIAA Division 1 victory 4-0 over Superior Saturday evening on Goodman Diamond in Madison.
They’ve never lost a state title game, winning the championship in each of their previous state appearances including 2010, 2017, 2021, 2022 and now in 2023.
Lead off hitter Kally Meredith, a Florida International University commit, put the Ghosts on the board in the first, reaching first on an error, then advancing on a bunt and scoring on an RBI sacrifice fly by Karly Meredith.
Kally Meredith led the third inning rally with a one-handed bunt to get on base. Kally Meredith and Paige Miller went on to score, pushing the lead over superior to 3-0.
Kally Meredith scored again in the bottom of the fifth on a Taryn Christopher RBI single to push the lead to 4-0.
Winning pitcher Karly Meredith, the state Gatorade softball player of the year, gave up five hits in the shutout, with four strikeouts and one walk.
The team has now won a state record 81-games in a row, an accomplishment they’ll be able to savor throughout the long off season.
2023 state champions:
- 1, Karly Meredith, P/IF, 10
- 3, Chloe Herzfeldt, IF, 10
- 9, Grace Boyle, P, 12
- 12 Paige Miller, 3B, 12
- 14, Raivyn Rabideau, IF, 9
- 16, Ava Bloch, C, 12
- 17, Kally Meredith, OF, 12
- 19, Paige Bodenheimer, OF, 9
- 20, Summer Schmidt, OF/C, 10
- 22, Taryn Christopher, IF, 11
- 23, Jozy Ebben, IF, 10
- 26, Reaghan Millard, Utility, 12
- 29, Karlee DeGroot, IF, 11
- 30, Grace Schomin, P, 10
- 31, Hailie Peters, OF, 12
- 33, Chloe Fuchs, Utility, 10
- 39, Taylor Federwitz, C, 9
- 36, Sydney Kappus, IF, 12
- Coach: Tim Roehrig
- Assistant Coach: Bill Huss
- Athletic Trainers: Ben Charles, Courtney O’Neil
- Athletic Director: Nate Werner
- Principal: Chris McDaniel
- Superintendent: Mike Slowinski
