GREEN BAY, Wis. (Nick Witwer) – The Blue Ribbons, looking to carry over momentum from Saturday’s Opening Day sweep, were held in check Tuesday night striking out 18 times in a 4-1 loss against the Sheboygan A’s.
The scoring started early in this one as a double from Sheboygan’s leadoff hitter later turned into a run following an errant throw on an attempt to steal 3rd base.
The Blue Ribbons were able to fight back as Wilson Zuck would reach base on a one-out single in the third inning. After successfully stealing second base, another single, this time from James Bornick,would even up the game at one run a piece through the first three innings.
The game would remain tied until the top of the fifth inning when the A’s scored two off a single with the bases loaded. An additional run would be scored later in the inning off of a ground out to second base.
No other runs were scored throughout the night as pitchers for both teams dominated the late innings of the game leaving the Blue Ribbons to drop their first game of the season 4-1.
At the plate for the Blue Ribbons, Payton Kohnle went 2-5 with a pair of singles, Wilson Zuck went 1-4 with a single, a stolen base, and a run scored, James Bornick reached base three times and finished 1-3 with a walk and an RBI, Jake Petasek reached base on two walks and was the only Green Bay batter not to strikeout on the night.
On the mound, Owen Deprez got the start and went five innings giving up 4 runs (3 earned) on 4 hits and walking 4 batters and striking out 10. Benje Hencke gave Green Bay a solid relief outing going for three scoreless innings, giving up no hits, allowing just one walk, and striking out 3 batters. Austin Grube pitched a scoreless and hitless ninth inning while striking out an additional two batters giving the Blue Ribbons pitching staff 15 total strikeouts on the night.
Green Bay will look to regroup as they take on the Greenville Stars Wednesday night to kickoff a 7-game road trip. The Blue Ribbons will return to Joannes Stadium against those same Greenville Stars on Thursday, June 13, to celebrate Flag Day.
