Depending on which scorebook keeper one believes, Tomah’S Ali Van Havermaet did or didn’t pitch a no-hitter Tuesday.

But this much is beyond dispute: She was an outstanding pitcher against the Onalaska Hilltoppers.

Van Havermaet kept Onalaska out of scoring position and off the scoreboard in Tomah’s 2-0 Mississippi Valley Conference victory at Onalaska High School. The Mississippi Valley Conference contest was the opener for the Timberwolves, who had Tuesday’s non-conference opener at Marshfield postponed to April 5.

Tomah coach Ron Brieske had no doubt that Van Havermaet hurled a no-hitter (the box score below reflects the account of Onalaska Life Sports Editor Craig Ott). The disputed play happened in the first inning, when Onalaska’s Megan Wagner hit a hard ground ball right at Tomah shortstop Ashley Kenworthy.

“The play in question was a ground hit directly to the shortstop, and she didn’t get down on it,” Brieske said. “I went right between her legs. Why Onalaska put it in the books as a hit is beyond me. The WIAA is going send her a (no-hitter) certificate.”

Van Havermaet’s shutout is beyond dispute. Wagner stole second, but Onalaska didn’t push another runner in scoring position after that. Chelsea Wavra led off the second inning with a walk but was gunned down by Tomah catcher Brooke Von Haden while attempting to steal second. The only other baserunner allowed by Van Havermaet after that was a two-out walk in the fourth. She retired the last 10 hitters she faced.

Although it was Tomah’s first look at live pitching, the Timberwolves still managed to generate a run in the top of the first. Ashley Kenworthy launched a triple over the centerfielder’s head (the fences weren’t up yet) and trotted home after after Michelle Luebke cracked a single.

Tomah didn’t score again until the sixth, when Kelsey Shutter belted a one-out double, advanced to third on a wild pitch and scored on Brooke Von Haden’s single to center.

Allyson Von Haden got Tomah’s other hit in the fourth.

Van Havermaet finished with five strikeouts and two walks. Brieske said she didn’t throw that hard on a cold, blustery day.

“Did she have outstanding speed? No,” Brieske said. “What she did was throw strikes. She was constantly in the zone. The key was popups to our outfielders.”

In junior varsity action, Tomah routed Onalaska, 16-1. Kala Lindley was the winning pitchers. She struck out 10 and didn’t give up an earned run. Amber Schultz led the offense with two hits, including a home run, and three RBIs. Lindley also had two hits and three RBIs.

The varsity reserves won, 6-5.

Tomah’s scheduled doubleheader Saturday at Eau Claire North was postponed. The Timberwolves’ return to MVC action Tuesday against La Crosse Aquinas in a 4:30 p.m. matchup at Gerke Field.

BOX SCORE

Tomah 100 001 0--2 3 2

Onalaska 000 000 0--0 0 3

Pitchers: T - Van Havermaet. L - Burritt.

W - Van Havermaet. L - Burritt.

Hitters: T - Kenworthy (triple), Shutter (double).