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Posted May 1, 2008

Prep softball: Straub's shutout leads Assumption
By Jake Miller
Daily Tribune Staff
jmiller2@gannett.com
MARSHFIELD -- Jada Straub didn't let on that she was having a good time, other than the occasional grin after a strikeout or an inning-ending play.

But after throwing a complete game to guide Wisconsin Rapids Assumption to a 4-0 win against arguably its toughest Marawood Conference South Division opponent, Stratford, the junior was all smiles.

"I was pretty excited, but mostly I just tried not to think about what had happened in the past and just take each batter one at a time," Straub said. "But it helped getting a good start."

The game, originally scheduled for Monday in Stratford, was played at the fairgrounds in Marshfield on Wednesday. Before the matchup of unbeatens, Stratford had to get through a five-inning 15-5 win against Marshfield Columbus Catholic.

Straub struck out nine Tigers, didn't allow a hit until the fourth inning, and only gave up two hits.

Through the first three innings she retired the side 1-2-3, and didn't give up a walk until she put two Tigers on base in the sixth.

Cassie Krum broke the no hitter with a single, and Ashley Zarnke added a single in the fifth, but otherwise Straub kept the Tigers at bay.

"You're never going to win a game with zero runs no matter who you're playing," Stratford coach Jason Tubbs said. "So for us we just have to back and start looking ahead to tomorrow. We've got Auburndale, then Northland Lutheran and then (Assumption) next Friday."

Though the season is still young, largely because of constant rescheduling, the win is vital in Assumption's quest to win at least a share of its eighth straight South Division title. Last year the Royals split it with Stratford and Pittsville.

"I think it was very big because if we would've lost, we would've had to won the next time," Assumption coach Jim Getzloff said. "This takes the pressure off us next time, because they're a very good team and we knew that. I scouted them pretty good."

Stratford's ace, Krum, gave up seven hits, but struck out 11, while walking five.

Krum was forced to pitch two innings of relief against Columbus before facing the Royals' potent lineup, and was coming off a complete game win Tuesday against Edgar, but managed to escape trouble until the third.

After leaving the bases loaded in the first, and stranding two in the second, Brittney Brock put Assumption ahead with an RBI triple to center field.

The Royals tagged on two more runs in the seventh, pushing runners across on a wild pitch and then a passed ball.

Assumption leadoff hitter Katie Moran went 3-for-3 to lead both teams, and Stephanie Garza added two hits.

Royals 4, Tigers 0

Assumption 002 000 2 -- 4 7 0

Stratford 000 000 0 -- 0 2 2

WP--Jada Straub. LP--Cassie Krum. SO--Straub 9; Krum 11. BB--Straub 2; Krum 5. 3B--A, Brittney Brock.

Records: Assumption 7-0, 5-0 Marawood South; Stratford 8-1, 5-1 Marawood South.