On a night where they celebrated the 2024 NEWBL Champs before the game, the Green Bay Blue Ribbons picked right back up where they left off, with an impressive 13-4 victory over the Appleton Legends.
Green Bay lit up Appleton starting pitcher Blake Wallenfang, who gave up nine earned runs over just 3.1 innings of work, highlighted by a six-run fourth inning that blew the game open.
First baseman James Bornick launched his first home run of the year, a no-doubter to right field, while second baseman Jake Petasek went 2-for-2 with a walk and four runs batted in. Bornick, shortstop George McIntyre, catcher Boone Kirst, center fielder Trevor Vande Hey and right fielder Bryan Gerbers all added two hits as well for Green Bay.
The Blue Ribbons’ pitching staff was equally impressive, tallying 17 strikeouts on the night. Ian Aoki picked up the win in relief of starter Easton Arendt. Sawyer Larson, Evan Cichanofsky and Owen Deprez shut the Legends down from there, with Larson striking out six batters over two innings of work, and Deprez racking up five more K’s over the final two frames.
The Blue Ribbons hit the road on Wednesday when they head to Menasha for a 7:15 start against the Menasha Macs, then return home on Thursday night to host Greenville.