T-town's Season Ends at Sectional; Niebrugge's Last Game as Shoes Coach

The Teutopolis Wooden Shoes loss in the championship game of the 2A softball sectional at Newton at Saturday was disappointing for more than one reason.

Not only did it end the Wooden Shoes' season; it was also Rich Niebrugge's final game as Teutopolis coach.

The Shoes lost 5-1 to Breese Mater Dei. The Knights will play in 2A Super-Sectional action Monday at 2pm at Johnston City. A four-run third inning was followed by Mater Dei scoring a run in the fourth to make it 5-0. 

Teutopolis got several runners on base, but couldn't cash in until the seventh. The Shoes plated a run and got the bases loaded with one out, but a called third strike and a popup to third ended the threat, the ballgame and the season.

Niebrugge confirmed after the game that it was his last game after 17 seasons as the Shoes' softball coach. He said family considerations are just too great. He said he had the chance to coach his daughter Allie, but his four sons are still competing and he wants to be there for their contests as much as he can.

Niebrugge has not turned in his resignation, but said he has talked with Superintendent Bill Fritcher and Athletic Director Laurie Thompson about his decision.

Niebrugge coached baseball for a year at Neoga, then coached baseball at T-Town under Justin Fleener before indicating that if they wanted him, he would be glad to coach softball at Teutopolis.

Niebrugge's softball teams tasted considerable success, including a championship game appearance in 2014, and won more than 400 games in his career at T-Town.

This year's Teutopolis squad featured seniors Allie Niebrugge, Amber Dust, Julia Schmid, Savannah Gebben, and Emma Deters.