Fond du Lac loses in state; ballots previewed | JQJO

FOND DU LAC — Fond du Lac traveled early to Manitowoc Lincoln for sectional play on Tuesday, June 9, with players required to be ready by 7:10 a.m. and the bus scheduled to leave at 7:30 a.m. Coach Jason Schneider said the team was focused and quiet on the ride. As the lowest remaining seed, Fond du Lac upset undefeated No. 1 Germantown with an 8-7, nine-inning win, then beat Fox Valley Association rival Neenah 3-2 to advance to the WIAA Division 1 state tournament. Schneider, in his second year running the program, called the trip to state a huge accomplishment. It will be the program’s 14th trip to state — the last appearance came in 2019 and the team won a state title in 2000. Fond du Lac has won nine straight games and sits at 21-8 after a 6-5 start to the season.

GRAND CHUTE — Fond du Lac earned a No. 5 seed and is scheduled to play No. 4 Madison Memorial at 9 a.m. Monday, June 15, at Neuroscience Group Field at Fox Cities Stadium in Grand Chute; the team will take an earlier 6:30 a.m. bus to the site. Schneider said the lower seed will motivate the Cardinals and that the players have a “nothing to lose” attitude while carrying momentum and confidence. Senior leadership has played a major role: 13 players are seniors who have played together for years, and catcher Jack Brenner, who is signed to the University of Oklahoma and has drawn professional scouts, is hitting .417 on the season. Madison Memorial’s roster includes top performers such as Ethan Eckel, Myles Hosking and Cam Sauer; the published stats do not include the sectional games. Tickets and NFHS Network subscription information are available for the state quarterfinal.