Shay Otto waits to tag out Green Lake’s Aidan Luepke at second base. Watching are, from left, Braden Dudzinski, Jayden Trochinski and the field umpire.
Miya Grunert photo
The Ripon American Legion Post 43 baseball team had a chance to come away with two victories last week, but was unable to close the door as it was walked off by Horicon 11-10 and Green Lake 4-3 in nine innings.
Ripon led Horicon 10-4 entering the bottom half of the seventh inning last week Thursday, before surrendering seven runs on six hits and two walks to drop the game.
“Overall, we played a strong game against Horicon,” Ripon head coach Paul Trochinski said. “Our offense was able to put a couple big innings together right at the beginning of the game and again at the end but we just couldn’t hold on for the win.”
Ripon jumped out to an early lead over Horicon as it scored three runs in the top of the first inning on three hits and a walk. Braden Dudzinski doubled home two runs, while Jackson Gabrielski also had a double to score one.
Horicon got the three runs back in the bottom of the first inning on four hits and a walk as Trochinski noted that Dylan Martyna struggled a little bit on the mound for Ripon to start the game. The incoming Ripon High School senior, however, settled in after that as he allowed just one more run and two hits over his final five innings.
Trailing 4-3 in the top of the sixth inning, Ripon scored three runs on two hits and a walk. Ben Walter and Weston Page drove in runs on a single and sacrifice fly, respectively, while Gabrielski scored the first run on a passed ball.
Ripon kept the momentum going in the seventh inning as it plated four more runs to extend its lead to 11-4. It collected two hits in the frame, while also benefitting from a hit by pitch, walk and two Horicon errors. Odin Huber brought home the first run on a ball that Horicon wasn’t able to handle, before scoring a run himself on an error.
Gabrielski also came across to score in the frame on a wild pitch, while Walter singled home Wizner.
The lead didn’t last, however, as Horicon answered with seven runs in the seventh to win the game.
“We allowed two quick runs to score in the bottom of the seventh and I really think that got to us mentally,” Paul Trochinski said. “We had a few mental errors followed by a couple well-placed hits that allowed Horicon to rally back for the win. Overall, we played a strong game against Horicon.”
Ripon was out-hit in the contest 12-10. Gabrielski led Ripon at the plate as he went 3 for 3 with three runs scored and an RBI, while Ben Walter went 2 for 4 with a run scored and two RBIs. Braden Dudzinski also drove in two runs on one hit. Adding a hit piece were Adam Mashock, Martyna, Wizner and Page.
Gabrielski was saddled with the loss on the mound. He gave up two runs — both earned — on three hits after entering in relief of Jackson Nelson. Nelson allowed five runs — all earned — on three hits and two walks.
Shay Otto waits to tag out Green Lake’s Aidan Luepke at second base. Watching are, from left, Braden Dudzinski, Jayden Trochinski and the field umpire.
Despite the tough loss to Horicon, Paul Trochinski noted Ripon came out positive and ready to play a day later against Green Lake. After both teams scored a run in the first inning, Green Lake tallied another in the third to take a 2-1 lead. That is where it stayed until the sixth, when Marshall Rueter doubled home Page to tie the game.
Rueter also threw a runner out at home plate from left field in the bottom of the seventh inning to force extra innings, before coming through with a two-out double in the eighth to give Ripon a 3-2 lead. Wizner, who also reached on a two-base hit, scored on the Rueter’s hit.
Ripon was unable to hold onto the lead, however, as Gabrielski, who relieved Nelson in the third inning, started to tire and issued four walks, which included one with the bases loaded. Gabrielski bounced back to induce a popup to strand the bases loaded and force another extra inning in what was his final pitch.
After Ripon couldn’t score in the top of the ninth, Wizner came in to pitch. An error, sacrifice bunt, walk and single loaded the bases and then the game-winning run scored on an error to give Green Lake the 4-3 victory.
“Some clutch hitting and some clutch defensive plays kept us in the game,” Paul Trochinski said. “It was definitely a fun game to be a part of and to watch our boys fighting until the last play. We’ve been able to walk off of the field after every game this year with a lot of positive growth.”
Both teams finished with eight hits, but Ripon committed five errors compared to two for Green Lake.
Rueter and Jayden Trochinski led the way for Ripon with two hits apiece, while Shay Otto, Dudzinski, Page and Wizner each added a hit. Otto also was hit by two pitches in the game, while Gabrielski drew a team-high two walks.
Aidan Luepke paced Green Lake with three hits in five trips to the plate, while Sam Sonntag and Jamie Luepke added two hits apiece. Aidan Feeney had the other hit for Green Lake, while Kyle Bond worked three walks.
Bond also picked up the win on the mound as he pitched the final 1 1/3 innings and did not give up a hit, walking one batter and striking out two. Deegan McCutcheon started the game for Green Lake and pitched the first five innings, allowing just one unearned run on five hits and three walks, while striking out five batters.
Leif Selthofner and Maddux Poock also pitched for Green Lake in the victory, yielding two runs on three hits.
Ripon will try to avenge one of its walk-off loss Monday, when it welcomes Horicon to Barlow Park.
First pitch is set for 7 p.m.