WSL Thursday Recap: Nationals Clinch North Division Title

West Allis Nationals 14, West Bend 7 Up 2

The West Allis Nationals travelled to West Bend Thursday evening with an opportunity to clinch not only the Langsdorf Nite League Championship but also first place in Wisconsin State League Northern Division.

The team did not disappoint. Jumping early to a 5-0 lead, the team cruised to a 14-2 win over the host West Bend 7 Up. The Nationals now stand at 9-2 in the Langsdorf Nite League and 10-3 in the Wisconsin State League’s Northern Division. With the victory, the team secured a berth in the Wisconsin State League best-of-three Championship Series July 24-27 against a to-be-determined Southern Division Champion.

After going down in order in the first inning, the Nationals strung together five straight knocks in the second to take a commanding 5-0 lead. A six run fourth made the score 11-2 and the Nationals closed out their scoring with a three run fifth.

Contributions came from up and down the lineup. Six starters contributed at least two hits. Matt Richer led the offense with three RBI’s.

Cody Griebling went the distance on the mound, allowing six hits in seven innings while striking out 11.

Next up are the Northern Illinois Legends on Saturday in West Allis in a Wisconsin State League DH. First pitch is set for 1pm.

Appleton Legends 12, Oshkosh Giants 1

Earl Vorpagel went 3-for-4 with a pair of doubles to power the Appleton Legends to a 12-1 victory over the visiting Oshkosh Giants Thursday night in Northeastern Wisconsin Baseball League play.

Courtney Watkins knocked in three runs for the Legends, while Vorpagel and Trent Whitcomb had two apiece.

Winning pitcher B.J. Chase allowed two hits and struck out four in four innings.

WP: B.J. Chase. LP: Kevin Biesinger. Leading hitters: Earl Vorpagel A 3×4, 2 2B, 2 RBI; Courtney Watkins A 3 RBI; Trent Whitcomb A 2 RBI; Ben Morgan A 2×3, 2 RBI; Jason Malkowski A 2B; Tim Ryan O 2×3.

Pewaukee Muskies 8, Sheboygan A’s 7

The Sheboygan A’s made a gallant ninth inning effort to take back a game they had earlier given away, but the robust effort before a suddenly raucous Wildwood Park crowd ended in a whimper – a called strike three with the tying run on third base.

The A’s dropped the rubber match in their 3-game season series against the Pewaukee Muskies Thursday night, 8-7. The game turned into a marathon as Pewaukee, a good-hitting team (12 hits in this one) that doesn’t need any help, got some in the form of 11 walks, two wild pitches and three errors.

When the ringmaster’s whistle ended the Pewaukee side of the ninth inning, the Fish led 8-4.

A’s teams of the past held fast to an “A’s Die Hard” motto to which this team also appears to cling. The 2015 Sheboygan A’s don’t know when they are beaten.

8- 4 instantly became 8-5 when Taylor Grimm led off the A’s half of the ninth with a home run. Nate Heili followed with a single, Cole Maklevcic a double, Weston Nelson a single with Heili scoring. 8-6. Ordered to move the runners, Ben Gordon got down a great bunt that was mishandled and resulted in loaded bases.

TJ McCoy rapped a ground ball that Pewaukee turned into a double play. Maklevcic scampered in, 8-7.and Harry Steldt, who had reached base safely in each of his five previous at bats was called out on strikes.

The A’s got on the board first as Adam Ryan drew a bases loaded walk in the first inning, but Pewaukee answered with five runs of their own in the third and fourth innings, taking a 5-1 lead.

In the 4th, Sheboygan put a dent in the Muskies’ lead as they strung three hits together that plated two runs, McCoy and Steldt getting the RBIs.

Walks and errors helped Pewaukee to its insurance runs in the sixth yand eighth innings. Interestnig that Pewaukee’s eighth run would score on a double play.

With the loss, the A’s record falls to 18-12 overall.

The A’s open the Wisconsin State League Challenge Friday night with a 7:30 p.m. game against Oshkosh.

Other Scores:
Crystal Lake Cardinals 3, Addison Braves 0
Lombard Orioles vs. Chicago Angels – No score reported