KAUKAUNA — The Kaukauna Galloping Ghosts are one win away from their first state championship since 1953.
Kaukauna defeated Nicolet 7-1 Wednesday at Appleton North High School in a game that was moved and rescheduled to the morning due to impending weather.
The Ghosts will play the winner of the Madison Memorial vs. Muskego D1 semifinal at 6 p.m. Thursday.
Brayden Jenkins of Kaukauna scored first on a bases loaded walk in the first inning to take the early 1-0 lead.
In the second, Taron Seghers Kaukauna scored on a wild pitch to push the lead to 2-0.
But Nicolet got on the board in the top of the third with one run, trimming Kaukauna’s lead to 2-1.
However Kaukauna roared back with four runs in the fourth and one in the fifth and never looked back to secure their spot in the championship game.
Kaukauna is making its fourth appearance in the state tournament and its first since 1954.
All three of the Galloping Ghosts’ previous appearances came during a four-year span from 1951-54.
They won their lone state title in 1953 and bowed out of title contention in the other appearances in 1951 and 1954.
Only two players remain from that team: Don Frank and Dock Jaeger, according to comments on the Kaukauna High School Facebook page.
Frank spoke to the team Sunday.
This season, the Galloping Ghosts qualified by defeating Bay Port 6-3 in the Kimberly Sectional final. They finished runner-up in the Fox Valley Association this season.
