UPDATE: The state champion Ghosts are expected back at the high school about 10 p.m.
KAUKAUNA — For the first time since 1953, the Kaukauna Galloping Ghosts baseball team is the state champion.
Kaukauna defeated Madison Memorial 11-5 Thursday at Fox Cities Stadium to win the WIAA Division 1 title.
The Ghosts were on the board first with a run in the second, but quickly fell behind 4-1 in the third.
But a five run outburst in the bottom half of the third put the Ghost back on top 6-4.
Three more runs in the fifth and two in the sixth and the Ghosts didn’t look back.
A rally by Memorial in the seventh ended with only one run for the Spartans, and the Ghosts could begin their celebration.
Kaukauna peaked at the right time, cruising through their post-season schedule.
After defeating Kimberly and Bay Port in sectional play to return to state for the first time since 1954, the Ghosts came from behind to defeate River Falls 4-1, then poured it on for a 7-1 win over Nicolet.
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.
