Picking up where they left off in 2023, Waunakee’s Local Nine won an 11-7 slugfest with Black Earth on Sunday to open the 2024 Home Talent campaign.
“It was a very good first game of the year,” said Local Nine head coach Justin Acker. “Everyone got in and contributed. The bullpen did a great job of giving up on only one run in six innings. (Shea) DuCharme had a phenomenal diving catch in the fifth inning saving at least two runs, and we turned a crucial double play with the bases loaded. The defense showed up and we pounded out 15 hits. A good first step for the year.”
Plating five runs in the top of the first inning, Waunakee put the pressure on the Bombers right away. Shea DuCharme and Jarrett Fueger singled, with Riley Ripp singling to right to load the bases. Jeff Thomasen singled in Ducharme, with Wade Farmer singling to right to score Fueger and Ripp.
Andy Nordloh grounded into a fielder’s choice and Thomasen was thrown out at home. Zach Johnson singled to load the bases once again, and Misha Capaul singled to center to score Farmer and Nordloh.
The Bombers scored 4 runs in the bottom of the first inning and made the score 5-4 after the first inning. In the top of the second, DuCharme doubled to lead off but was stranded there.
“Black Earth scored two runs in the bottom of the third inning and took a 6-5 lead,” said Acker. “The Local 9 responded with four runs in the top of the fourth inning. Misha Capaul led off with a single. Capaul was forced out on a fielder’s choice by Ryne Fueger. Shea DuCharme walked placing runners on first and second. Both runners moved up on a passed ball and Jarrett Fueger singled to center, scoring both DuCharme and Ryne Fueger. Riley Ripp singled to left, moving Jarrrett Fueger to second base. Jeff Thomasen walked to load the bases. Wade Farmer walked to bring home Jarrett Fueger. Zach Johnson was hit by a pitch to bring home Ripp and make the score 9-6 after the top of the fourth inning.”
In the top of the eighth, Thomasen had a one-out single and Andy Nordloh blasted a tow=erring two-out, two-run home run to left to make it 11-6. Black Earth scored one run in the bottom of the eighth inning to make the final score 11-7.
The Local 9 outhit the Bombers 15 to 12, as Jeff Thomasen had three hits, DuCharme, Jarrett Fueger, Capaul and Ripp each had two and Henry Pitsch, Farmer, Nordloh and Johnson had a hit apiece
Blake Bieri went three innings on the mound, allowing six runs on five hits and walking six while striking out one. Dayne Oleson got the win, going two innings and giving up three hits, one walk, no runs and fanning two. Adam Acker pitched two innings, giving up two hits and striking out one. Nordloh pitched the last two innings, giving up two hits, one walk and one unearned run.
The Waunakee Local 9 will host Middleton on Saturday, May 25, and Cross Plains on Sunday, May 26, at Murphy Field at the Village Park.
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