Marion’s Stuhr tosses perfect game against Manawa

Lefty pitcher struck out last 14 batters he faced
By: 
Morgan Rode
Sports Editor

Marion High School’s Jaden Stuhr nearly took the term “perfect game” to a new level May 12 during the baseball team’s 11-0 victory over Central Wisconsin Conference-North Division foe Manawa in Marion.

The team’s pitcher faced just 15 batters over five innings, and only one of the outs was in the field of play. The first batter of the game popped out to third base before Stuhr struck out the next 14 batters.

“I just came out and wanted to perform at my best. I knew it was going to be hot. I knew they were a good team, so I just went after it,” said Stuhr. “I controlled the zone I felt, and I just threw strikes. I put it in spots they couldn’t hit it. I want to thank my catcher Jay (Brei) for doing a good job behind the plate.”

Stuhr didn’t have too many at-bats go into deep counts, typically striking batters out on three of four pitches. As if the perfect game and 14 strikeouts weren’t enough, he pitched an immaculate inning (nine pitches and nine strikes with three strikeouts) in the second.

Stuhr is no stranger to memorable pitching outings, having also thrown a no-hitter against Gresham on May 3.

While Stuhr would have certainly enjoyed also striking out the first batter to finish with all strikeouts, he was just happy to contribute another win to the team’s perfect season. “We got the out; that’s all that matters.”

The junior lefty didn’t need all that much offensive help with the way he was pitching, but the Mustangs gave him more than enough run support anyway.

Marion tallied three runs in the first inning before adding four more in the second. Three runs in the third and another in the fourth capped the scoring.

The Mustangs got contributions up and down the lineup, which is part of the reason why the team is undefeated.

“It’s awesome. Every single one of these guys, even the guys that don’t start, they work their butts off all season,” said Ethan Scheef on the balanced attack at the plate. “For us to all be able to contribute to each and every game, it’s an amazing feeling. It makes each win way better.”

Alex Zimmerman had a similar thought.

“We have so many underclassmen, so many sophomores this year that are just taking over,” he said. “And it’s just awesome because to know that they can do it too, and you’re knowing that it’s not just another out coming up there — you know it can be a hit, maybe a double sending people in.

“That’s how we got 11 runs; otherwise, you can’t do that with just two or three people. These sophomores are really stepping up this year.”

Nick Malueg led off for the Mustangs and got on base in all four of his plate appearances. He came around to score the last three times he was on base, with the lone time he didn’t score coming after he was caught stealing in the first inning.

Instead of the play snuffing out a potentially big inning, Malueg’s efforts to try and hurdle the third baseman instead sparked the Mustangs’ dugout. Ryan Malueg, Stuhr and Zimmerman would later score in the inning.

In the second frame, Nick Malueg singled with one out to get a rally started. He came around to score later in the inning.

Stuhr, Zimmerman and Brei also scored in the second. Zimmerman came through with a big double, while Scheef singled for a second straight at-bat.

Jackson Krohn got things going for Marion in the third, singling to open the frame. Nick Malueg walked before Ryan Malueg doubled. Stuhr followed with a single and then Zimmerman reached on an error. When all was said and done, Krohn, Nick Malueg and Ryan Malueg scored in the inning.

To cap his big game, Nick Malueg doubled before scoring on a double from Ryan Malueg in the fourth.

“It feels good having a team that can hit, and it’s a team I know I can rely on at the plate — that if I need some room, they have my back, and I can really use that at times,” said Stuhr of the run support, adding that the early cushion helped him on his way to a perfect game.

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