Softball sectional preview: Mosinee hopes the third time is the charm in D-2 sectional semifinal at Medford

It maybe only the sectional semifinals but Tuesday's Division 2 showdown between Mosinee and Medford has the talent level of a state championship game. In the final MaxPreps.com Division 2 state poll, both teams were ranked in the top 3. Medford, by virtue of receiving the top seed in the bracket, is home for this game. Mosinee will be hoping the adage "it's tough to beat a good team three times in one season" proves true as Medford won each of the regular season match-ups: 4-3 in Medford on April 30th and 5-1 in Mosinee on May 18th.

D-2 Sectional Semifinal: Mosinee (23-4 overall, 10-2 Great Northern Conference) at Medford (26-1 overall, 12-0 GNC).

Mosinee has had the easier time in the playoffs with a 7-2 win over Lakeland followed by a 26-0 three inning win over Antigo in the regional final. The Mosinee offense has been nearly unstoppable in recent weeks as they are averaging more than 12 runs per game in their last 5 games since the 2nd loss to Medford. Mosinee has offensive threats up and down the lineup with Taelyn Jirschele, Paetyn Jirschele, Addy Henrich, Megan Treu, Pacyn Stoffel and more all capable of turning games around with one swing of the bat. In addition, the pitching of Ava Busse is more than capable of shutting down good hitting opponents such as Medford.

Medford has one loss all season and that was a 9-8 loss at Stevens Point, who is also still playing in Division 1. Medford did have a tougher than expected time with Merrill in the regional final, winning 8-6. Like Mosinee, Medford has a lineup full of dangerous hitters with 7 fulltime starters hitting .370 or better this season. Addison Brahmer is hitting .542 while Rylee Hraby is at .474 with 25 RBI. Ava Hartl leads the team in RBI with 31 while batting .375. Hraby also has done nearly all the work in the circle with a 23-1 record with a miniscule 1.05 ERA. She is also averaging more than 2 strikeouts per inning with 297 K's in 146 innings while walking only 20.

The winner moves on to the sectional final on Thursday in Altoona vs. the winner of the game between Baldwin-Woodville and West Salem.