Michaelis pitches Tigers' baseball team to home win

Tigerton topples Menominee Indian
By: 
Morgan Rode
Sports Editor

Asher Michaelis turned in a strong start on the mound to lead the Tigerton High School baseball team to an 11-2 Central Wisconsin Conference crossover win over Menominee Indian on April 26 in Tigerton.

Michaelis’ bid at a complete game was ended because of pitch count restraints. He was still able to record eight strikeouts across his 6⅓ innings while allowing just seven batters to reach.

“I’ve just really been developing my curveball. Other than that, just get (the ball) over the plate, letting my defense help — just throwing strikes,” said Michaelis on what made him successful during the contest.

His teammates gave him a boost by scoring a run in the first inning and then adding four runs in the second. The early lead gave Michaelis “a lot of confidence. Really was joking around with my teammates and was able to stay confident through the whole thing.”

Gabe Dahlstrom came on in relief after Michaelis hit the pitch count limit of 100 and got a strikeout before a groundout ended the contest.

Colby Wanta was at the center of the Tigerton offense on the night, finishing with two hits, a walk, three RBIs and two stolen bases. He scored the team’s run in the first inning before singling and scoring again in the second frame.

Joey Zimdars, Omarion Ramsey and Loghan Wanta also scored in the second for the Tigers. Both Wanta boys and Gavin Laatsch all had key hits.

Zimdars and Ramsey scored again in the third inning to boost Tigerton’s lead to 7-1. Much like the previous inning, after the bottom of the order got on via walks, the top of the order was able to drive them in. Colby Wanta delivered again with a single.

“Just having fun out there and having a good time with the team,” said Colby Wanta. “Basically, (we) tried to get the bats going right off the bat and have a good cushion so we can feel safe when we’re out in the field.”

After Laatsch scored after walking in the fourth, Menominee Indian scored its second run to make it 8-2. Tigerton got the run right back in its half of the fifth, with Colby Wanta crossing the plate again. Tigerton tacked on two more runs in the sixth to cap the scoring.

Laatsch finished the game with three RBIs, while Loghan Wanta tallied two RBIs on his three hits while also stealing two bases. The Tigers walked eight times as a team, with Zeke Griepentrog and Ramsey each having three.

Maech Corn was tagged with the loss on the mound for Menominee Indian after working the first four innings. Pearson Denny finished the game on the hill.

Corn and Josh Besaw Jr. scored Menominee Indian’s two runs.

Corn doubled in the second inning and then scored on a Besaw Jr. single in the next plate appearance.

Besaw Jr. walked in the fifth and came around to score without the benefit of another hit, with Bryce Dixon later reaching on an error.

“Don’t come into a game too high on yourself,” said Corn on what the team will take away from the game.

Earlier, Corn said, “It’s just a mental game, to be honest. Come in here thinking it was going to be a cakewalk, obviously not.”

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