By: Nick Witwer
GREEN BAY, WI – The Green Bay Blue Ribbons wrapped up the Wisconsin State League regular season by dropping three out four games over the weekend to the Kenosha Kings. On Saturday, the Blue Ribbons and Kings fought through three different delays and the rain as the day would end in a split. On Sunday, the Ribbons dropped both games coming up just short in a high scoring game one.
In Saturday’s first game, the Kings got four runs early in the first two innings before the game would be delayed for about an hour due to thunder. After the delay, both teams struggled to push across runs with the only other score of the game coming from a Steven Russell rbi single.
In the 4-1 loss, Griffin Summers had himself a pair of singles to finish 2-3. James Bornick reached base twice, hitting a single, scoring Green Bay’s only run, and also being hit by a pitch. Steven Russell also reached base twice, once on an error and once on the rbi single to plate Bornick.
On the mound, Reece Piontek went an inning and two thirds before the thunder delay would end his day early. Jimmy Kirkish then finished out the game pitching five and one third of an inning while allowing just two hits.
Saturday’s second game also started delayed as scattered storms made their way through the Green Bay area. When the game did finally start, the Ribbons got up big early scoring ten runs in three innings. Kenosha slowly started to dig into the Ribbons big league before the rain returned and the game was called after the fifth inning resulting in a 10-6 Ribbs win.
Jake Petasek reached base twice and scored two runs. Bryson Webb went two for three with an rbi single and two runs scored. Brandan Willadsen went two for four with a run scored. James Bornick got himself two more rbis on a double in the first inning. Landon Lozier reached base twice with a single, a walk, and two stolen bases. Trent Van Ess finished two for three with two rbis and a stolen base. Steven Russell reached base twice and finished with one rbi, one run scored, and two stolen bases.
On the mound, Gavin Rusch fanned three batters in four innings of work. Tanner Alsteen, in heavy rain, put away the only three batters he faced before the game was eventually rained out.
In Sunday’s game one bats were strong for both teams in what very quickly became a high scoring affair. Both teams would pick up a run in the first inning with the Blue Ribbons scoring on a James Bornick single giving Bornick yet another milestone has he now becomes the franchise’s single season leader in hits.
Kenosha would take a slight lead after scoring another run in the second. In the fourth inning, the Blue Ribbons broke open the game scoring four runs on four hits, taking a 5-2 leade. In the fifth inning, the Kings had their own monster inning by scoring five runs and again taking the lead.
The Kings would score again in the top of the sixth inning to put Green Bay in a 8-5 hole. In the bottom of the sixth, the Ribbons would strike back scoring three runs on four hits to tie the game at eight runs a piece. With bases loaded and a chance to retake the lead, the Blue Ribbons flew out on a deep fly to right field. In the seventh, the Kings were just barely able to score as a two-out passed ball allowed the runner to score from third giving Kenosha the lead and eventually the win.
At the plate for Green Bay, Brendan Willadsen recorded three hits while scoring once and batting in one run. Bryson Webb finished the game with two hits, two rbis, and two runs scored. James Bornick had two hits and batted in two runs. Griffin Summers had one hit, with one rbi, and one run scored. Garrett Foth also had two hits and scored twice.
On the mound, Owen Deprez got the start pitching for four and two thirds of an inning while striking out eight batters and getting a no decision. Bret Whiffen finished out the game for the Ribbons and despite being given the loss, he only allowed one earned run.
Sunday’s game two saw the Blue Ribbons get ahead early before the offense fell quiet. In the first inning, Trent Van Ess came through with an rbi single to plate the Ribbons only run of the game. Kenosha would take the lead in the second inning scoring three runs before running away with it and winning by a final score of 8-1.
Despite scoring just one run, six different Blue Ribbons, Bryson Webb, Brendan Willadsen, James Bornick, Trent Van Ess, Brett Ament, and Tyler Blum, recorded a hit. Jared Hanson got the start in this one pitching for four innings and striking out three batters. Liam Jones saw an inning of action and gave up zero earned runs while striking out a batter. Zach Lordo pitched for two innings allowing just one earned run and also striking out one batter.
The one win and three loses over the weekend puts Green Bay at 14-14 in the Wisconsin State League to end the year. In the standings they currently sit in fourth place with a half game lead over Sheboygan. With the WSL regular season over, the Blue Ribbons turn their attention Tuesday night to the Ashwaubenon Lookouts. Green Bay will host the Lookouts in exhibition play at Joannes stadium with first pitch scheduled for 7:30 p.m.