By: Nick Witwer
GREEN BAY, WI – The Green Bay Blue Ribbons returned to Joannes Friday night for Youth Night as they pulled away late for a chippy win against the Waupaca Lakemen. The game was a good one as the night saw everything from human hamster balls, to bat flips, to player ejections. In the end a late home run and an electric outing from the Ribbons bullpen were the deciding factors in a 6-3 win.
Things got started right away in the top of the first as Waupaca would put across the first run of the day after a leadoff double would eventually come around to score. The Lakemen lead wouldn’t last for too long as the Blue Ribbons would respond in the bottom of the inning. After three straight walks the bases would be full of Ribbons for second baseman Jake Petasek who would hit a double to drive in two runs.
Waupaca would add another run in the fourth before a homerun from the Beer Batter tied the game in the top of the 5th inning. The tie would be short lived as in the bottom of the 5th, Noah Robinson would find himself in scoring position after hitting a single and later stealing second. With two outs, a double from the center fielder, Trent Van Ess, would put the Ribbons ahead 4-3.
The Blue Ribbons would add two more runs in the bottom of the 7th on a two-out homerun from James Bornick that we’re still not sure has landed yet. The three run lead was all the Blue Ribbons needed as the bullpen would hold the Lakemen scoreless through the final four innings of the game sealing the 6-3 win.
At the plate for the Green Bay, Trent Van Ess, reached base three times with a double, two walks, two runs scored, and an rbi. Janes Bornick scored twice, walked once, and hit a home run as he looks to chase down Noah Robinson for the Blue Ribbon’s franchise record.
On the mound, starter Wyatt Fischer gave up just one run while recording 4 strikeouts in 2.2 innings pitched. Owen Deprez recorded a solid 2.1 innings of relief, also giving up two runs but striking out 6 batters. Liam Jones, Tanner Alsteen, and Bret Whiffen finished out the game combining for 4 scoreless innings, four hits, and six more strikeouts.
The win was a good bounce back from Wednesday night’s game and the team will look to keep the winning ways going in a huge double header matchup at Joannes with the West Allis Nationals who are currently first place in the Wisconsin State League. First pitch of the first game is scheduled for 4:00 p.m.
