Onalaska clinches second place 

By Clay Lilley

With second place in District 23-3A baseball on the line for both teams, the Onalaska Wildcats (16-8) defeated the Shepherd Pirates (14-12-1) 1-0 Monday afternoon.

Onalaska started lefty Brady Smith and the senior pitched another outstanding game for the Wildcats. He threw five shutout innings while striking out seven and walking three.

Smith has been dominant on the mound in his last six starts, allowincinnings for the Wildcats, earning the save.

Jered Purkerson scored the only run of the game on a double steal in the second inning with two outs.

The win gives Onalaska second place in district and a bi-district matchup against the Brazos Cougars Friday at 7 p.m. and Saturday at 1 p.m. at Magnolia High School. This is the first time Onalaska has been in the playoffs since 2018.