A trip to the WIAA Division 2 State Championship game will be on the line Wednesday in the Fox Cities when two of Wisconsin’s most successful baseball programs square off in a state semifinal matchup.
Third-seeded Waupun is back on the state stage for the first time since capturing the Division 2 championship in 2018. The Warriors are making their ninth State Tournament appearance overall and continue a tradition of success that includes another state title in 2007 during a stretch of three consecutive State appearances from 2006-08. Waupun also reached the championship game in 2017 before finishing as runner-up. This season, the Warriors claimed the Capitol Conference North Division title and punched their ticket to state with a thrilling 5-4 victory over Little Chute in the sectional final.
Standing in their way is second-seeded Kenosha St. Joseph Catholic, a program with a championship pedigree of its own. The defending Division 3 state champions move up to Division 2 this season and return to state for the fifth time in the last six years and the 10th time overall. The Lancers built their reputation with four State Tournament appearances in a five-year span from 2005-09, winning Division 2 titles in 2005 and Division 3 crowns in 2006 and 2009. They added another Division 3 championship in 2021 and claimed their fifth WIAA state title last season. Their trophy case also includes four WISAA championships won in 1965, 1970, 1977 and 1988.
This year’s Lancers shared the Metro Classic Conference championship with St. Thomas More and advanced through the Portage Sectional with an offensive showcase, defeating Edgewood 13-8 in the sectional final.
Now, two accomplished programs with rich postseason histories will meet with a berth in the Division 2 State Championship game hanging in the balance. Waupun seeks its third state title and first since 2018, while Kenosha St. Joseph Catholic looks to continue its recent run of postseason success and move one step closer to adding another championship to its storied legacy.
The first pitch on Wednesday is set for 9am with the other D2 Semifinal between Somerset and Pewaukee will be played right after. The Division Two State Championship Game is set for Thursday at 3:05pm.
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