By: Brad Krause
BURLINGTON, WI – The Blue Ribbons dropped game one of their doubleheader on Sunday, but bounced back to take game two, finishing their road trip at 3-2, while improving their overall record on the season to 4-2.
Game one was a pitcher’s duel with the Ribbons scoring single runs in the second, fourth and fifth, carrying a 3-1 lead into the seventh. Unfortunately, the Barons were able to rally for three runs in the bottom of the seventh to walk off with a 4-3 victory.
James Bornick led the offense in game one, going 3-for-3 with a pair of doubles, while Gavin Rusch turned in a solid outing on the mound, tossing 3.2 scoreless innings, striking out five.
Green Bay got things going early in game two, plating four runs in the second inning. After Quinn Falish scored the team’s first run, the Ribbons loaded the bases and Jake Petasek ripped a bases-clearing triple to make it 4-0.
Burlington fought back to tie the game with a run in the third and three in the fourth, but Green Bay re-claimed the lead with two runs in the fifth and one in the sixth, and Taylor Middaugh looked things down from there, tossing three scoreless innings to earn the save.
Petasek singled, tripled and drove in three runs, while Brendan Willadsen knocked in a pair and Griffin Summers went 2-for-3 with a walk.
The Ribbons return home this week, with NEWBL games against Appleton on Tuesday and Menasha on Wednesday at Joannes Stadium, then will be taking part in the Wisconsin State League’s 5th Game Challenge in Sheboygan next weekend.
