BLANCHARDVILLE — Timely hitting and opposing errors propelled favored Wiota in a 3-2 win over Blanchardville in a Home Talent baseball game on Sunday, July 16. Although the Indians had four hits to the Bullets’ eight, Blanchardville committed three errors that led to two unearned runs.

Bullets’ starting pitcher Hunter Enloe faced three batters in the top of the first, retiring the last two batters via strikeout. His team then went to work in the bottom of the frame to take an early 1-0 lead.

AJ Hendrickson led off with a single to the right side and stole second. Kyle Kleppe’s groundout moved Hendrickson to third, allowing Brooks Chandler to collect an RBI with a hit to right. 

Wiota responded immediately, scoring in the top of the second. After a lead-off strikeout, Cade Janecke reached on a walk. Brad Schliem then hit to tailor-made double play to Tyler McKeon at shortstop, but his throw to second went into the outfield, putting runners on second and third. Tyler Simmons tied the game at one with a sacrifice fly, scoring Cade Janecke.

After a scoreless inning by the Bullets, the Indians looked to score again in the third. Trevor Kattre drew a full-count walk, followed by Enloe’s two-out hit by pitch and walk to Cade Janecke. Enloe escaped the bases-loaded jam by striking out Brad Schliem.

A quiet fourth inning by both teams led to a two-run fifth by the Indians. Kattre led off with a solo home run to left center, giving Wiota a 2-1 lead. Breylin Goebel then reached on an error. Enloe settled in, inducing two grounders, but Cade Janecke lined an RBI single for another run. It proved to be the game winner, as Blanchardville scored in the eighth.

Johnson reached on an error, followed by a hit by pitch. Conway had Enloe down in the count 0-2 before plunking him. Tyler McKeon then lined a single on the first pitch of his at-bat to load the bases. 

Jared McKeon executed a suicide squeeze, bunting with bases loaded to score Johnson. Relief pitcher Drew Schliem attempted another suicide squeeze to tie the game, but his bunt attempt went foul for strike two. Conway bore down to strike Drew Schliem out and get Cole Breuer to fly out after fouling off four pitches. The Bullets left the bases loaded.

Wiota looked to add an insurance run on in the top of the ninth, as pinch hitter Payton Sawdey reached on an error. Kattre walked and Breylin Goebel singled to load the bases with no one out. Blanchardville drew its defense in to prevent a run from scoring, as designated hitter Rooney Janecke came to the plate. Rooney Janecke hit into a fielder’s choice, as Tyler McKeon threw home to get Sawdey out. Drew Schliem then ended the inning with a grounder to short.

Indians’ relief pitcher Barry Schliem, who threw slower than Conway, kept Blanchardville hitters off balance in the bottom of the ninth. He got Hendrickson to pop out and Kleppe to ground out. With two outs, Chandler drove a ball deep to center. His hit stayed in the park, allowing centerfielder Maddox Goebel to catch it for the final out of the game.

Conway picked up the win, pitching eight innings. He gave up one earned run on eight hits, striking out seven. Breylin Goebel tallied two hits, while Cade Janecke went 1-for-1 with an RBI. He reached base in all four of his plate appearances. 

For Blanchardville, Enloe suffered the loss. He gave up one earned run on two hits, striking out five. Hendrickson and Breuer led the offense with two hits each.