Green Bay, Wis. (Nick Witwer) – The Green Bay Blue Ribbons continued their homestand Thursday night by welcoming the visiting Menasha Macs to Joannes Stadium in a big game that saw the top two teams in the Northeastern Wisconsin Baseball League square off.
Green Bay got out to the early lead taking advantage of a few key errors in the bottom of the second inning that allowed second baseman Griffin Summers and designated hitter Ethan Habetler to cross the plate.
After Menasha was able to push across two runs of their own, it was a whole new ball game going into the bottom of the fourth inning. Tied 2-2 with two outs and the bases loaded, first baseman James Bornick would take matters into his own hands and blow the game open for Green Bay on a bases clearing double.
Up now 5-2, the Blue Ribbons would walk in another run in the bottom of the fifth inning to increase their lead to 6-2. The Macs would show some fight in the top of the sixth inning scoring two runs to bring the lead down to just two runs.
In the bottom of the sixth, the Blue Ribbons offense would attempt to pull away as two walks and two hit batters would score one run. Then with the bases loaded yet again a clutch two-out single from third baseman Jake Petasek would score two more to give Green Bay a 9-4 lead.
Not satisfied with the five run lead, the Blue Ribbons scored their tenth run of the game in the bottom of the seventh inning off a single from left fielder Brendan Willadsen. That was more than enough for the victory as the Macs would manage to score just two more runs making the final score 10-6.
Offensively for the Blue Ribbons on Thursday night, the team recorded 10 runs on six hits while also walking 11 times. Three batters reached base at least four times with shortstop Eason Hurd reaching in all five plate appearances (one error, four walks).
On the mound, Allen Leitner got the win pitching for five innings and striking out nine batters. Logan Paphlam got the rare three innings plus save by working for three and two thirds of an inning, striking out four batters, and putting a stop to the Menasha ninth inning comeback attempt.
The win improves Green Bay’s overall record to 17-5. The team’s 8-4 record in the NEWBL also has them in a tie for first place in the league’s standings with Menasha who now falls to 6-3.
The Blue Ribbons, now on a five game winning streak, will look for a strong end to the homestand against the West Allis Nationals in a Saturday double header. First pitch of the first game is scheduled for 4:00 p.m.
