By: Brad Krause
GREEN BAY, WI – The Green Bay Blue Ribbons kicked off their 2023 season with a bang on Tuesday night, rolling to an easy 11-1 win over Sheboygan on Opening Night.
Green Bay grabbed an early lead, when designated hitter Noah Robinson‘s two-out single in the second inning drove in second baseman Ethan Habetler and shortstop Griffin Summers to make it 2-0.
The A’s got on the board with a run in the fourth, but the Ribbons responded with four in their half of the inning. Habetler got things started with a leadoff double, then Summers dropped down a beautiful bunt for a base hit that put runners on the corners. Habetler would come in to score on a Sheboygan error, and then Robinson roped his second single of the game to drive in Summers.
A walk to left fielder Colton Daniels and a single by Trent Van Ess would load the bases, with Robinson coming in to score on a fielder’s choice, and Daniels crossing the plate on an RBI single from first baseman Ashton Long to make it 6-1.
Green Bay tacked on two more in the fifth, on a two-run home run by catcher Steven Russell, then added three more in the sixth for the final 11-1 margin.
Gavin Rusch got the start and picked up the win after going four innings and allowing just one run on two hits. Left-hander Reece Piontek followed Rusch to the mound, and tossed two scoreless frames, striking out five, and then Isaiah Grimm came on to record the final three outs in the seventh.
The Blue Ribbons are back in action this weekend as they head to southern Wisconsin for three games against Burlington and a pair against West Allis. Green Bay returns home next Tuesday night to begin NEWBL play, as they welcome the Appleton Legends to Joannes Stadium for the first time in 2023.
