Kings win twice over Manitowoc

KENOSHA — The Kenosha Kings have posted so many lopsided victories this season perhaps they were overdue for a bit of dramatics.

Paul Pulera ripped a game-ending RBI single with two outs in the seventh inning as the Kings swept Manitowoc in a Wisconsin State League doubleheader Saturday at Simmons Field.

The Kings won 10-1 and 1-0.

“We’re just finding ways to get things done,” said Kings manager Tim Pulizzano, whose team improved to 30-4 overall and 13-1 in the WSL. “We haven’t had too many tight games and I think it was good for us. It showed we can do the little things right to win a game also.”

With the wind blowing straight in from center field, Kings starters Randy Johnson and Travis Vanderwall took advantage of the elements by tossing a pair of complete games. Johnson (7-0) allowed seven hits and one earned run with one walk and six strikeouts, while Vanderwall (5-0) tossed a four-hit shutout with one walk and five strikeouts.

“It was a pitcher’s day (at Simmons Field),” Pulizzano said. “Randy just pounded the (strike) zone. Travis was really solid and the defense played well behind him.”

In the opener, the Kings scored three runs in the first inning and broke open the game with a seven-run second inning. Jason Dennis went 3-for-4 with two RBI and JT Schneider went 2-for-3 with one RBI. John Hasser and Andrew Highland each drove in a pair of runs.

The Kings won the second game on just three hits.

“(Manitowoc) threw a real nice pitcher,” Pulizzano said. “It was a solid game all-around.”

The Kings play at West Allis in a Langsdorf League game 7:30 p.m. Tuesday.

Story and photos by: The Kenosha News