The Prescott Cardinals advanced to the WIAA State Softball Tournament Thursday, winning an epic battle against Spooner, 2-1, in a game played in Bloomer.

The Cardinals (19-8) come into the state tournament at Goodman Diamond in Madison Friday and Saturday seeded third of the four teams. They play number two Brodhead (19-4) at noon Friday, June 7. Top-seeded Mishicot (29-0) plays number four Laconia (20-8) at 10 a.m.

Going into the sectional final, Prescott had outscored its opponents 31-1 in its first three tournament games.

The performances of Prescott senior pitcher Ella Stewart and Spooner freshman pitcher Annalie Lindgren were center stage in the game. The Cardinals had some opportunities to score early but were stifled, plating just one run in the second inning to tie the game after a Rails player hit a home run in the first half of the inning.

Stewart pitched a masterpiece, striking out 15 Spooner hitters. When the final out was tallied on a fielder’s choice to Prescott shortstop Cadyn Hildebrand, the on-field celebration ensued.

Prescott coach Nick Johnson was called out to accept the WIAA Sectional Championship trophy, and he sent Stewart and Megan Richter, the only seniors on the squad, in his place. Their teammates quickly mobbed them, with the trophy proudly held high.

Johnson reflected on the pride he has in his team’s resilience after the game.

“We expected this kind of a game. They’re one heck of a team, and they have one heck of a freshman pitcher. They’ve got just a solid team, and we knew coming in it wasn’t going to be easy. That’s exactly how it played out. It wasn’t easy,” said Johnson. “We just kind of grinded it out. We made enough plays defensively, and we got enough hits and base runners on. It was a little nerve-wracking the first three innings with five runners on base and only one run to show for it. Those things kind of come back to haunt you. We just dug deep and made plays. All the credit to our girls. They battled all season long.”

The Middle Border Conference definitely sets up teams for post-season success. There are several elite programs. Prescott took second in conference play, tied with Somerset with 10-4 records, just behind conference champ Ellsworth at 11-3.

“Our strength of schedule has gotten us ready for this moment. I’d argue we have one of the hardest schedules in Division 3. The Middle Border Conference is one of the best. It’s all kind of led us to here,” said Johnson. “This is a really special moment. It really is a special group of kids.”

The Cardinals looked early to be on the road to another big win against Spooner, putting two runners on in the first, but both were stranded.

After the home run in the second, Stewart struck out the rest of the side.

In the Prescott second, Hillebrand singled. Jeanne Rohl bunted her to second. She moved to third on an error at shortstop. Grace Ptacek then knocked Hillebrand home to tie the game.

After Stewart notched another three strikeouts in the top of the third. Rory Zuehlsdorf led off the inning with a double and moved to third on Megan Richter’s infield hit. Zuehlsdorf scored the go-ahead run on a fielder’s choice hit by Stewart.

After that, the defense went to work. Playing third, Rohl snared a key foul ball in the fifth, and the infield and outfield operated as planned, grabbing any fly ball that came their way.

The Cardinals had seven hits in the game, with Zuehlsdorf and catcher Leah French each collecting a pair.

In addition to her strikeout tally, Stewart and the Prescott defense combined to allow just three Spooner hits.