Sports - Pierce County Journal

Prescott senior Ethan West starts a sprint during an early season meet.

Three squads take second at conference track meets

Dunn-St. Croix Elmwood/Plum City and Spring Valley were in Mondovi for the Dunn-St. Croix Conference Championship on May 22, with the EPC girls leading the way with a second-place finish. The … more

By Andrew Harrington | 5/28/25

Aurora Sampair broke the EPC school record in discus throwing with a toss of 110 feet, 11 inches.

Around the County: Sampair sets EPC school record discus throw

Baseball Prescott has won eight of nine games after sweeping Baldwin-Woodville 8-4, 7-4 and Platteville 13-6, 10-0. Their winning ways have given them a 9-3 conference record, good for a … more

By Andrew Harrington | 5/21/25

The Wildcats' Olivia Doerre had a second-half penalty kick blocked by Hudson’s Hannah Kendhammer.

Wildcat soccer stonewalled by Kendhammer

Wildcat girls’ soccer and the weather took a turn for the worse last Thursday in River Falls. Thursday morning, outside temperatures were in the low 80's and calm. The Wildcats had racked up … more

By Greg Peters | 5/21/25

Wildcat baseball coaches Ryan Bishop and Mark Vrieze are pulling out their inner 1984 "Mr. Miyagi" for the Wildcats this season.

From Horseplay to Heroes: Mr. Miyagi and Wildcat baseball

I had just turned 12 years old in June 1984 when the Celtics and Larry Bird captured the NBA title over the Los Angeles Lakers. I was either mowing neighborhood yards for $5 or playing Whiffle Ball … more

By Greg Peters | 5/21/25

The Prescott Cardinals baseball team traveled to Dyersville, Iowa to practice on the very baseball diamond made famous in the movie “Field of Dreams.” Since 1989, thousands of fans have flocked to the site to see the field used in the iconic movie that was released in 1989.

Shots from the hip: 3 Cards chosen to play in Wisconsin Fastpitch Coaches Association All Star Game Series

Congratulations to Leah French, Kelsey Sterud, and Rory Zuehlsdorf on being selected to play in the Wisconsin Fastpitch Coaches Association All Star Game Series at Woodside Sports Complex in … more

By Cripe Olson | 5/21/25

Sophomore Shalikco Timm has been one of the many underclassmen working to establish an SV softball culture.

SV defense finding its way as postseason arrives

MONDOVI — Mondovi narrowly sneaked away with a 2-0 win over Spring Valley softball, with the pitching and defense from both teams looking as rock-solid as it has all season. “I … more

By Andrew Harrington | 5/21/25

Senior Rory Zuehlsdorf posted an excellent pair of games against Ellsworth, tallying four hits including a home run.

Prescott sweeps rivalry with 35-run hitting display over pair of games

Thirty-five runs, 29 hits and 17 walks for Prescott led to a pair of wins over Ellsworth, capping off both of their conference schedules. “We really hit the ball well,” Prescott Head … more

By Andrew Harrington | 5/21/25

Shots from the hip: Visitors rave about Firehall Field

“The playing surface looks like a golf course,” said Elk Mound Head Coach Paul Andrea. “Everyone says Firehall Field is one of the best around and when you see or play on the … more

5/14/25

Spring Valley's Cade Stasiek sprints to first base after laying down a drag bunt with two outs in the bottom of the sixth. The infield single set up the game-winning run for the Cardinals.

Stasiek, Gregg lead Spring Valley past Ellsworth

The Ellsworth Panther baseball team was riding a two-game skid heading into Saturday's non-conference tilt at Spring Valley. The Panthers' Vinnie Oricchio blasted a two-run homerun in the top of the … more

By Greg Peters | 5/14/25

Prescott freshmen Amelia Haeg ran the third leg of the girls' 4x200-meter race. Prescott set five school records on Friday at the Stan Barr Relays in New Richmond.

Track & Field heating up with the weather

The Ellsworth, Prescott, and River Falls high school track teams competed in the 58th Stan Barr Relays in New Richmond on Friday. With conference meets a week away, the Stan Barr Relays are a time … more

By Greg Peters | 5/14/25

Ellsworth pitcher Tom Krooan delivers a strike during the Hubbers’ season opener at Veterans Park in Hastings.

Hubbers open season with optimism despite tough loss to Hastings

The Ellsworth Hubbers kicked off their 2025 season on a sun-soaked afternoon at Veterans Park in Hastings, falling to the Hawks 12–2. The scoreboard didn’t reflect the full story. For … more

By Bruce Karnick | 5/14/25

Sophomore catcher Logan Auth snatches a pitch behind the plate.

14-run showing gets Wolves back into win column

Elmwood/Plum City baseball had an eventful weekend, sandwiching losses to Mondovi 14-1 and McDonell Central 19-1 with a 14-4 win over Cochrane-Fountain City. “Mondovi and McDonell we … more

By Andrew Harrington | 5/14/25

Aidan Dorau (pictured) was solid at second base but led the Cardinals at the plate going 3 for 4 with an RBI and a run scored. Dain Pechacek and Barrett Temmers each had two RBI, as the Cardinals pounded out 11 hits in the 8-7 win over Elk Mound in game one of the Saturday double header at Fire Hall Field. Jackson Matzek picked up the win on the mound.

Around the County: Prescott and Ellsworth softball cross paths for important set of games

Softball Ellsworth went on a tear, beating Osceola 14-7 and 10-0 and Altoona 13-11 and 9-7 in eight innings. The Panthers got a walk-off three-run blast from Aliza Acker and a sixth inning grand … more

By Andrew Harrington | 5/14/25

Sophomore Brittany Bechel had a big weekend at the plate including hitting the team’s first homer of the year.

Busy week readies EPC for final push

Elmwood/Plum City softball started its week with tough losses 6-4 to Durand-Arkansaw and 8-1 to Mondovi, but got a massive win to snap a Clayton/Turtle Lake seven-game winning streak 7-4 Friday. … more

By Andrew Harrington | 5/14/25

WIAA votes open doors for student-athlete NIL and increased summer coach contact

A year after being voted down 219-170, WIAA schools voted 293-108 to approve name, image and likeness (NIL) opportunities for student-athletes during an April vote. In addition, expansion to summer … more

By Andrew Harrington | 5/7/25

Shots from the hip: PHS baseball plans 'Field of Dreams' trip

Head Coach Nick Johnson and the Prescott softball team have a busy week ahead of them. After playing three conference games to begin the week, the top 10 ranked Cardinals will host a pair of top 10 … more

By Cripe Olson | 5/7/25

Prescott's Natalie Ptacek signed a volleyball scholarship with the University of Missouri-Kansas City on Friday, May 2.

Her father’s daughter: Prescott’s Ptacek signs with UM-KC

Driving into the Ptacek's Family Market grocery store parking lot in River Falls, the "BE AN ATHLETE" electronic message below the business sign smacks the customer in the face. This isn't … more

By Greg Peters | 5/7/25

Senior Aliza Acker leads the state with 42 RBI. Acker also has six HR and is batting .541 with 33 runs scored.

Ellsworth softball leads the state in runs scored

The Game Changer app for a sports reporter malnourished for high school softball statistics is similar to starving with hunger pains on Cinco de Mayo and having a loved one show up with a chimichanga … more

By Greg Peters | 5/7/25

River Falls' resident Dan Hoffman has been umpiring and officiating area games for close to 48 years.

Behind the plate and ‘Hoff the Grid’

Longtime River Falls' resident Dan Hoffman has been officiating and umpiring games in our area for close to five decades, 48 years to be exact. For 35 of those years, he and Jim Celt have been … more

By Greg Peters | 5/7/25

The EPC girls had a strong showing at the Baldwin-Woodville meet, placing sixth of 10 teams despite taking on some larger schools.

Prescott boys win BW meet, Pullen breaks EPC school record

BALDWIN — Prescott, Ellsworth and Elmwood/Plum City track and field each made the trip to the Baldwin-Woodville Meet on April 30, with the Prescott boys winning the event and EPC junior Lillian … more

By Andrew Harrington | 5/7/25