NEW GLARUS - Blanchardville hopes to get on a hot streak after pulling out a thrilling 7-5, nine-inning victory over New Glarus Thursday night in a Southern Section night league contest.
With the Bullets and Tourists locked in a 5-5 tie, Blanchardville (1-1 in the Home Talent Thursday night League) wasn't going to squander another golden scoring opportunity. New Glarus relief pitcher Brandon Bayrhoffer issued a leadoff walk to Kris Sutter. New Glarus catcher Drew Moen threw Sutter out at second. Bayrhoffer then walked the next two batters. Chad Pien scored the go-ahead run for the Bullets on a passed ball. Blanchardville's Luke Syse then delivered a two-out, RBI-single to extend the Bullets' lead to 7-5, giving Tim McKeon all the insurance he needed on the mound.
"Most games, when we get a lead and lose it, we fall apart," Blanchardville manager Aaron Olson said. "Hopefully, we can get on a roll."
McKeon pitched five-and-a-third dominating innings in relief to get the win. He baffled hitters with off-speed pitches and struck out seven by painting the corners.
"He always has been the guy to come in (in) the tough situations," Olson said. "It was nice to have the ball bounce his way."
Despite stranding nine runners on base, the Bullets cashed in on their scoring opportunities in the fourth. Jordan Krebs beat out an infield single. Blanchardville's Theron Theobald followed with a single. The Tourists' starting pitcher Zach Ketelboeter then walked Will Hodgson. Sutter then hit a chopper down the first base line that hit the bag and popped into right to give the Bullets a 2-1 lead. One batter later, Kevin Sutter hit an RBI-single to right. The Bullets extended their lead to 4-1 on a Syse sacrifice fly.
The Tourists (1-1) came back and regained the lead with a four-run fourth. Cory Anderson, who led the Tourists by going 2-for-3, lined an RBI-single. McKeon came in and appeared to pitch out of a bases-loaded, two-out jam. But Vance Vlasak hit a fly ball Blacnherdville right fielder Kevin Sutter had a bead on before slipping on the spongy surface and dropping the ball. That allowed three runs to score to give the Tourists a 5-4 lead.
"We put ourselves in a position to win," New Glarus coach Stein Rear said.
The Bullets ran themselves into several scoring opportunities with eight stolen bases.
"It's not always you steal off the catcher," Rear said.
He explained that a couple of pitchers were slow on their deliveries.
"When you steal a base, it's a two-way avenue," Rear said.
With the Bullets and Tourists locked in a 5-5 tie, Blanchardville (1-1 in the Home Talent Thursday night League) wasn't going to squander another golden scoring opportunity. New Glarus relief pitcher Brandon Bayrhoffer issued a leadoff walk to Kris Sutter. New Glarus catcher Drew Moen threw Sutter out at second. Bayrhoffer then walked the next two batters. Chad Pien scored the go-ahead run for the Bullets on a passed ball. Blanchardville's Luke Syse then delivered a two-out, RBI-single to extend the Bullets' lead to 7-5, giving Tim McKeon all the insurance he needed on the mound.
"Most games, when we get a lead and lose it, we fall apart," Blanchardville manager Aaron Olson said. "Hopefully, we can get on a roll."
McKeon pitched five-and-a-third dominating innings in relief to get the win. He baffled hitters with off-speed pitches and struck out seven by painting the corners.
"He always has been the guy to come in (in) the tough situations," Olson said. "It was nice to have the ball bounce his way."
Despite stranding nine runners on base, the Bullets cashed in on their scoring opportunities in the fourth. Jordan Krebs beat out an infield single. Blanchardville's Theron Theobald followed with a single. The Tourists' starting pitcher Zach Ketelboeter then walked Will Hodgson. Sutter then hit a chopper down the first base line that hit the bag and popped into right to give the Bullets a 2-1 lead. One batter later, Kevin Sutter hit an RBI-single to right. The Bullets extended their lead to 4-1 on a Syse sacrifice fly.
The Tourists (1-1) came back and regained the lead with a four-run fourth. Cory Anderson, who led the Tourists by going 2-for-3, lined an RBI-single. McKeon came in and appeared to pitch out of a bases-loaded, two-out jam. But Vance Vlasak hit a fly ball Blacnherdville right fielder Kevin Sutter had a bead on before slipping on the spongy surface and dropping the ball. That allowed three runs to score to give the Tourists a 5-4 lead.
"We put ourselves in a position to win," New Glarus coach Stein Rear said.
The Bullets ran themselves into several scoring opportunities with eight stolen bases.
"It's not always you steal off the catcher," Rear said.
He explained that a couple of pitchers were slow on their deliveries.
"When you steal a base, it's a two-way avenue," Rear said.
