By: Nick Witwer
GREEN BAY, WI – The Green Bay Blue Ribbons were back at home Tuesday night looking to put an end to a recent five game losing streak. Facing the Denmark Devilbears, the Green bay offense’s early rally and a dominate performance from the pitching staff would lead to a 5-2 victory.
The Blue Ribbons offense wasted no time in this contest as the first three batters of the night would all reach base safely, loading the bases with no outs for the night’s designated hitter, James Bornick. Bornick was able to just get a ball pushed through the infield to plate one run. A second run would be added on a errant throw in attempt to turn a lineout into a double play at second base to give the Blue Ribbons a 2-0 lead.
In the bottom of the third inning, still leading 2-0, third baseman Jake Petasek would hit a lead-off single. A couple of back to back groundout would proceed to move Petasek to third where another timely single from James Bornick would bring him home for the 3-0 lead.
The Blue Ribbons would add two more runs in the fourth inning starting with a long ball off the bat of right fielder Ashton Long. Later in the inning, catcher Garrett Foth would reach base after being hit by a pitch. Jake Petasek would follow up with a double into the gap to plate Foth and give Green Bay a 5-0 lead.
In the top of the fifth inning, some errant defense and a walk would allow the Devilbears to finally get on the board. They would wind up with two unearned runs and no other runs would be scored from either team throughout the remainder of the game.
In the 5-2 win, Jake Petasek reached base four times including three hits with two singles and an rbi double and two runs scored. Bryson Webb reached base twice with two hits of his own and a run scored. James Bornick went a perfect four for four with three singles, a double and two runs batted in. Ashton Long’s fourth inning home run was his second of the season.
On the mound, Tanner Alsteen got the start and went six strong innings giving up two unearned runs on three hits, one walk, and three strikeouts. Matt Perry had two good relief innings including striking out the side in the top of the seventh inning. He finished hs night allowing no runs on one hit while walking two batters and striking out four. Bret Whiffen Added to his single season and franchise records in saves. In the game’s final inning, Whiffen allowed no runs on two hits and recorded all three outs as strikeouts.
The Blue Ribbons add another W to the win column for the 21st time this season. The team improves to an overall record of 21-19. They’ll look to keep their momentum going Wednesday night on the road in Menasha.
