Green Bay, Wis. (Indiana Schilz) – After having games rained out on Wednesday and Thursday, the Blue Ribbons made their way south for drier conditions, picking up three victories over the weekend in Illinois.
The first game on Saturday showcased the Green Bay Blue Ribbons’ exceptional performance, arguably the best of the year. The team dominated with an eight-run lead in the top of the first inning, thanks to RBIs from Bryan Gerbers, Griffin Summers, Cal Casper, and Brendan Willadsen.
The Blue Ribbons added two more runs in the top of the second inning off the bat of Ethan Habetler, who doubled, making it 10-0. Green Bay eventually scored another two runs in the top of the fourth, thanks to Payton Kohhnle’s double to make it 12-0.
To supplement the offensive barrage, Gavin Rusch and Reece Piontek held Addison scoreless through five innings before the eventual mercy rule. Rusch pitched three innings and allowed one hit while striking out two and walking one. Piontek pitched two no-hit innings in relief.
After an offensive explosion in game one of the doubleheader on Saturday, game two featured a pitching duel, which Green Bay eventually lost 2-1.
The Blue Ribbons scored its only run when Summers was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded. Kohnle and Landen Lozier earned the only two hits in game two for Green Bay. In addition, Lozier tallied three stolen bases.
Kaden Krueger pitched exceptionally well but was tagged with the loss. He went six innings, allowing five hits and two earned runs while striking out six and walking zero.
Heading into Sunday, Green Bay looked to at least earn a weekend doubleheader series split in game one, and they did just that thanks to scoring five runs on five hits.
The Blue Ribbons jumped out to a lead in the top of the third inning after an error scored two runs. James Bornick singled as well, plating one more run. Addison struck back in the bottom of the third, scoring two runs of their own to make it 3-2.
Willadsen showcased his power and pop at the plate in the top of the fifth, launching his second home run of the year. He’s now up to 20 RBIs on the season as well.
That would be all the scoring done in game one on Sunday, as Owen Deprez pitched a gem. He pitched five-and-a-third, allowing five hits and one earned run while striking out eight and walking three. He was credited with his third win of the season.
Ian Dohms came in and got his first save of the season, striking out four of the five batters he faced, leading Green Bay to at least a doubleheader weekend series split against the Addison Braves.
While game two on Saturday and game one on Sunday were pitching duels, game two on Sunday returned to offense as the two teams combined for 25 hits.
Brett Hartlaub made his season debut on the mound but was roughed up by the Braves barrage of soft contact. He only got through a third of an inning before being pulled. He allowed four runs on five hits.
Austin Grube was called upon early, and although he gave up eight hits on the day, he only allowed two runs, keeping Addison in check for the most part.
Green Bay scored its first run in the top of the third after trailing 6-0 thanks to an RBI single for Lozier, who is now batting scorching .340. Addison added another run in the bottom of the fourth, making it 7-1.
The Blue Ribbons began its stifling comeback thanks to an RBI single in the top of the fifth from Willadsen. With some help from poor fielding, Green Bay cut the lead down to two after Lozier’s bunt turned into him eventually scoring on the play.
Willadsen got things going again in the top of the sixth with another two-RBI single to make it 8-7, giving the Blue Ribbons its first lead of the game.
Green Bay’s lefty with the flowing locks gave them a little insurance in the top of the seventh. Bornick’s solo home run to make it 9-7 would be enough as that would be the eventual final score.
Piontek picked up his second win of the year after taking over for Grube in the fifth inning. Piontek went two and a third, striking out four batters. He gave up zero hits.
All in all, it was a good weekend for the Green Bay Blue Ribbons, who took three of four from Addison. Green Bay remains scorching hot in the Wisconsin State League, leading the league with ten wins and two losses. This brings the team’s overall record to 14-5.
The Blue Ribbons are back in action on Wednesday, June 26, against the Sheboygan A’s at Joannes Park in Green Bay. First pitch is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.