Talk about a confidence builder.
Facing the No. 2 ranked team in the state, a resilient Waunakee baseball team upended Monona Grove 5-4 on Wednesday, thanks to a three-run, fifth-inning outburst.
“The Warriors came to battle today,” said Micah Thingvold. “It was about responding to challenges thrown at the team. The No. 2 ranked team gave us plenty of challenges. The Warriors dug in and found ways to pick one another up throughout the contest.”
The Silver Eagles almost delivered an early-round knockout.
“Monona Grove loaded the bases to start the game,” said Thingvolvd. “Waunakee used some strong pitching and excellent defense to limit them to one run. The Warriors scored runs in the first and second innings to take a lead. We had great at bats from the start, driving the ball around the field. We also ran the bases hard, forcing our opponent to play fast.”
Up 2-1 after three innings, the Warriors found themselves down 3-2 after the fourth frame and Monona Grove added a run in the top of the fifth. That’s when Waunakee went to work.
“In the bottom of the fifth, an infield single, three walks, a wild pitch and an aggressive read on a sharply hit ground ball allowed the Warriors to score three runs and take the lead,” said Thingvold. “After taking the lead, the Warriors would hold on with some exceptional defense, making a diving play in the infield and outfield for the last two outs of the game. It was an impressive performance by the Warriors. Whenever something went wrong, they would pick each other up. How this team is starting to battle as a unit is something to be proud of.”
Tate Schmidt set the tone, going 3-for-4 with two runs scored.
Zach King was a force at the plate and on the mound, going six innings and holding the Silver Eagles to only three earned runs, while striking out three. He also went 2-for-3 with an RBI.
Luke Hurlebaus, Brady Barman and Oliver Lee also drove in runs.
Colin Murphy and Jack Dettor both went 1-for-3 and scored a run.
Nate Bound tossed a scoreless inning to help the cause. Waunakee is now 2-3 overall and 2-0 in Badger Large Conference play.
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