BLANCHARDVILLE — Pecatonica went into the spring sports season expecting to once again compete for a Six Rivers title with a cast of six seniors to lead the way. When the rug was pulled out from under them due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the season was canceled, many players were unsure if that was it for their playing career.

When the Babe Ruth League teen baseball season was given the thumbs up, Jim Strommen, the coach for both Pecatonica’s varsity school team and the summer squad, invited all six of his seniors to play.

“It’s good to be back. I’m thankful that Coach Strommen let us play Babe Ruth,” said Easton Schraepfer, who pitched and reached base twice in the first game.

Bo Hendrickson is also taking advantage of whatever innings he has left. “It’s a little bit of closure on your spring sport, because it got canceled this year,” he said. “It’s always nice to just get back out here, be with the guys and have some fun. It helps give us some sane-ness during this insane time around the world.”

With conflicts like summer work schedules, not every senior can make it to every game, so far of which Pecatonica has played 10. 

“I gave them all the opportunity to play — and three have been working. It’s up to them. When they come, they’re in the lineup, and they are up (top) in the lineup,” Strommen said. “Easton, it was his first game all year and I put him in the two hole and he got on his first two at bats and he pitched a couple of innings.”

On July 17, Pecatonica hosted Dodgeville at McKellar Park for a doubleheader of two five-inning games. In the opener, Dodgeville struck first and led 2-0 after the first inning. Starting pitcher Hunter Enloe, who will be a junior in the fall, struggled with a sore arm and had to be replaced on the hill. 

Dodgeville added another run in the second inning, but Pecatonica plated two of its own to make it a 3-2 contest. In the bottom of the fourth inning, Pecatonica added two more runs to take a 4-3 lead. Schraepfer closed out the fifth inning, and the Vikings came away with the one-run victory.

“Even though I didn’t play all the games this summer, it’s good to be with some of my younger classmates and teammates. It’s good competition and it’s good for the younger guys to be able to get some looks in for next season,” Schraepfer said.

Pecatonica scattered six hits, while Coy Ruegsegger, Dakota Doescher, Trevor Gilbertson and Devon Doran each scored runs.

In Game 2, the Vikings led 1-0 after two innings. A two-run third put Dodgeville ahead briefly, until Pecatonica regained the lead in the bottom half of the frame. The Dodgers scored the go-ahead run in the top of the fifth, and Pecatonica went down in order to end the game.

“Six of our 10 games this year have been by one run — and another one was 2-0. We’ve had a number of close games,” Strommen said. “We’ve won three of our last four, and we could have won that last one tonight, too. We’re happy how they’re coming.”

Strommen said his younger players have faced some extra hardships in games so far this season, and that the veterans on the team have seen their varsity experiences become a strong benefit so far.

“Everyone’s in the same boat, because there is limited practice time,” Strommen said. “Some of my freshmen have had a hard time — they got exposed. My older kids, at least for them the game has kind of come back and they can help each other out.”

For Bo Hendrickson, who has played in high-level situations throughout his career at Pecatonica, a 5-inning Babe Ruth doubleheader wasn’t a break away from his usual intensity. The recently graduated senior hit a sharp ball back to the shortstop in his first at bat, and then struck out with the bases loaded to end the third inning. Immediately after swinging and missing on strike-3, Hendrickson slammed his bat against the ground in frustration.

“It’s competitive whenever you step onto the field — whether it’s spring season or summer and it’s playing for fun, you never want to lose,” Hendrickson said.

While a state title under the WIAA umbrella will not happen in 2020 for baseball, Strommen said the Babe Ruth League will hold an end-of-season tournament at Prairie du Chien in mid-August. The dates have been decided (Aug. 10-12), but many of the other logistics still have to be worked out.

The Vikings have eight more games scheduled for this season — all doubleheaders, and three of the four at home. Home games include July 24, 29 and 31, with a road game July 22 at New Glarus.

Social distancing

One of the stipulations for playing Babe Ruth League games was to follow social distancing guidelines as much as possible. Strommen said he and his team have done their part — from both an equipment standpoint, as well as taking advantage of the newly renovated McKellar Park baseball field.

Pecatonica was set to host a WIAA Division 4 sectional baseball series this spring, and in order to do so a large renovation had to take place. The field was re-sodded, a new press box was built, several areas of new fencing and netting were installed, as were padding marking “V” for Vikings and “B” for the Blanchardville Bullets of the Home Talent League.

The dugouts to the field are further up the first and third baselines than most other ballparks, and added benches along the fence gives each team nearly 100 feet of space. With social distancing guidelines recommended six-feet between people, each expanded dugout area could house nearly 20 people between players and coaches.

“We had 12 guys tonight, and that is the most we’ve had all season. Normally it’s nine or 10 — just enough to play,” Strommen said.

With the stone amphitheater-style seating behind the first-base dugout, the first-row of seating could be utilized as spare seating for larger teams. The fans, however, take their own risks higher up on the hill or under the roof of the concession stand.

For equipment, Strommen gave each player a bucket with their name and number to keep all season, as well as a helmet. It can be used to store balls, gloves or other items like phones or keys, and it gives each player their own personal seat. The catchers were each given their own equipment, which Strommen has collected over the years. Players also supply their own bats, though should a bat need to be shared, sanitation products are available in the dugout.

Even at the end of the night as fans departed, the Vikings gathered in left field in a circle, minding the distance between each player.

“At the end of the game, everyone just tips their hats — there’s no shaking of the hands anymore. It’s not in our norm, but we have to do our part to keep with social distancing,” Strommen said.