BLUEJAY BOYS END LOSING STREAK WITH WALKOFF WIN
In a game heard right here on WJMT, wjmtfm.com and seen on our new WJMT Television Channel on YouTube, the Merrill Bluejay baseball team ended its five game losing streak with a walk-off 2-1 win over the Crandon Cardinals in non-conference boys’ baseball action at Athletic Park. With the win, the Bluejays’ record rose to 4-5, with non-conference action resuming on Monday with a contest at home against the Marshfield Tigers.
The contest was a pitching duel between senior Bluejays starter Quinton Kurtzhals and fellow senior Cardinals hurler Trent Palubicki. The Cardinals scored their lone run in the third inning on three singles, with the last one driving in Cardinals’ catcher Cruz Palubicki.
In the seventh inning, the Bluejays sent seven hitters to the plate beginning with junior Tyson Ott, who got on base with a single. Cam Wallin followed with a perfectly executed bunt, but Cardinals’ catcher Palubicki’s throw to second found the Cardinals’ second baseman well off the bag, allowing Ott to advance. Kurtzhals, who had moved to third base when Noah Klug came in to pitch in the sixth, executed another perfect bunt, advancing the runners to second and third. After Bluejays’ catcher Reiker Remington walked loading the bases, Brody Klebenow, who took a line drive off his leg Thursday in Mosinee, singled in the tying run. Leadoff hitter Cooper Wendorf then grounded the ball back to the Cardinals’ hurler, whose throw to his cousin forced Wallin at the plate for the second out. Bluejay second baseman Eric Grunenwald (and AmericInn Player of the Game) then hit a chopper to short and slid into first base, with the Cardinals’ first baseman dropping the throw, allowing Remington to score the winning run.
Despite a well pitched game, Cardinals’ pitcher Trent Palubicki took his first loss of the year, and Noah Klug got his first win of the year, relieving Kurtzhals after he had to leave the mound due to the WIAA 100 pitch limit.
The Bluejay boys will next be heard in their conference match-up against the Antigo Red Robins on the road Tuesday. Monday’s girls’ softball action will be on the road against the Shawano Hawks, and both games are scheduled (weather permitting) to be heard right here on WJMT and wjmtfm.com. Coverage will begin both days with the Nicolet Bank pre-game show starting at 4:45 and first pitch at 5:00.
