Looks like the rain is going to hold off for this one. Barron will go with superstar Brad Hallberg as its starting pitcher. West De Pere counters with Garrett Scray. In a first for Eau Claire area teams at this year's state tournament, Barron is the home team. Maybe that will help the Bears avoid the one-and-done fate that sent Eau Claire Memorial and Bruce home.
Top of the first inning: Nick Pierre reached on an error by the second baseman. Andy Pichler reached on a bunt single. Brent Kakwitch was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Brent Jansen struck out looking. Barron shortstop Brett Mueller nearly turned an inning-ending double play but bobbled a soft line drive from West De Pere's Travis Romenesko and everyone was safe. Pierre scored. Tony Cantalupo grounded out to the pitcher Hallberg, who initiated the always entertaining 1-2-3 double play. West De Pere grabbed a 1-0 lead, but it could have been much, much more considering the circumstances.
Bottom of the first: Josh Davidson reached on an error by the shortstop. Shay Herrman bunted him over to second. Brad Hallberg worked a 2-0 count before West De Pere intentionally walked him. Andrew Sloan grounded out to third, moving the runners up a bag. Brandon Johns bounced out to second.
I originally criticized the intentional walk of Hallberg, but shows how much I know. West De Pere leads, 1-0, after the first.
Top of the second: Garret Scray reached on an error by the shortstop and was replaced by a courtesy runner of unknown idenity. David Schneider bunted him over to second. Jake Piontek bounced out to the pitcher. Nick Pierre bounced out to the pitcher again. That's the third time Hallberg has forced a ground ball right back to him. He looks sharp.
Bottom of the second: Brett Mueller struck out looking. Jake Kittleson grounded out to first. Trevor Severson grounded out to short.
At the end of two, West De Pere leads, 1-0.
Top of the third: Andy Pichler led off with an infield single. Brent Kakwitch was hit by a pitch — again. Brent Jansen reached on a fielder's choice as Pichler was retired at third. Travis Romenesko walked and was replaced by courtesy runner Derek Willems. Tony Cantalupo flied to left and Kakwitch wisely did not try to tag. Garret Scray reached on an error by the second baseman, scoring Kakwitch. David Schneider singled down the left-field line to score Jansen and Willems. Jake Piontek grounded out to short.
Big inning for West De Pere, and the Phantoms have taken a 4-0 lead.
Bottom of the third: Justin Balts fouled out to first. Josh Davidson lined out to third. Shay Herrman struck out looking. Barron needs something to go its way, fast.
Top of the fourth: Nick Pierre was retired on a nice play by Hallberg, who chased down a weak dribbler and shoveled it to first with his glove. Andy Pichler grounded out to short. The throw was high but first baseman Andrew Sloan got the tag down. Brent Kakwitch flied out to center.
Bottom of the fourth: Brad Hallberg led off with a double, Barron's first hit of the game. Andrew Sloan grounded to first, moving the runner up a base. Brandon Johns struck out looking. Brent Mueller struck out swinging, leaving Hallberg at third.
West De Pere leads, 4-0.
Top of the fifth: Jared Hillbert replaced Hallberg at pitcher. Hallberg went to shortstop. Brent Jansen popped out to second. Travis Romenesko was hit by a pitch. Tony Cantalupo grounded out to second. Garret Scray was hit by a pitch. David Schneider popped out to second.
Bottom of the fifth: Jake Kittleson led off with a single. Trevor Severson struck out. Justin Balts reached on a fielder's choice. Josh Davidson grounded out to third.
Top of the sixth: Jake Piontek singled and stole second. Nick Pierre walked. The runners moved up a base when Barron tried to pick Piontek off second. Andy Pichler's grounder to second scored Piontek. Brent Kakwitch grounded out to third. Brent Jansen singled, scoring Pierre.
Bottom of the sixth: Shay Herrman flied out to left. Brad Hallberg grounded out to short. Andrew Sloan grounded out to third.
Top of the seventh: Tony Cantalupo flied to right. Garret Scray flied to right. David Schneider walked, but was caught stealing second.
Bottom of the seventh: Jacob Schauf pinch-hit for Brandon Johns and led off with a single. Lance Knutson pinch-hit for Brett Mueller and struck out. Jake Kittleson singled. Pinch hitter Derek Borgen struck out. Justin Balts grounded out to second to end the game.
Barron loses, 6-0, making it 0-for-3 for northwestern Wisconsin teams at the state tournament. Check tomorrow's Leader-Telegram for more.
- John Casper Jr.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment