The Kaukauna Galloping Ghosts baseball team captured a decisive 4-1 victory over River Falls in the WIAA Division 1 state quarterfinal, securing a place in the semifinals.
After falling behind 1-0 in the third inning, the Ghosts answered with a four-run burst in the fifth and sixth frames, turning the tide of the game.
A rally built on clutch hits
Bron Schaefer’s triple set up the key play, and Kaden Kress crossed the plate on an obstruction call that followed the hit, while Branden Jenkins delivered an RBI double to push the lead ahead.
Carson Gates threw a complete game on the mound, limiting River Falls to just one run and preserving the lead through the final innings.
The next opponent will be the victor of the No. 2 seed Milton versus #7 Nicolet quarterfinal, a matchup scheduled for earlier on Wednesday, setting up a showdown for the semifinal slot.
This marks the Ghosts’ first appearance in the state tournament since 1954, a milestone that resonates with longtime community members such as Don Frank, who addressed the team on Sunday.
The team’s journey this season includes a hard‑earned qualification after defeating Kimberly and Bay Port in the Kimberly Sectional final, and they finished as runners‑up in the Fox Valley Association.
The championship game is set for Thursday at 6 p.m. and will be televised, giving the town a chance to follow the Ghosts’ pursuit of a title.