Shawano Legion team falls short of regional title

The Shawano Legion baseball team fell a couple wins shy of winning the New London Regional.

Shawano finished 2-2 at the regional that ran July 22-25, with both losses coming to Seymour.

Pulaski also competed at the regional, finishing 0-2.

Shawano

Shawano’s tournament began with hard-fought 8-5 win over Kaukauna on July 22. The teams were deadlocked at three when Shawano put up five runs in the sixth inning.

Jacob Polzin drove in two runs for Shawano, while Brady Hannes, Bryce Popp, Carsen Herm, Andrew Popp and Carson Popp all drove in a run. Herm and Andrew Popp led the team with two hits each, while Braedyn Kowalkowski scored two runs.

Polzin pitched all seven innings to earn the win on the mound, striking out seven batters along the way. Only three of the runs he allowed were earned.

The win set up a showdown with Seymour on July 23. Shawano jumped out to a 4-0 lead but Seymour scored once in the fifth and four times in the sixth to surge ahead and steal the win.

Bryce Popp had a big two-RBI hit for Shawano, with Andrew Popp and Zac Jurmu also being credited with an RBI each. Kowalkowski and Andrew Popp tallied two hits each.

Ashton Henning started and pitched the first 5⅓ innings, striking out eight batters. Bryce Popp came on in relief in the sixth and was tagged with the loss after allowing Seymour’s fifth run. Brady Glysch finished the contest on the mound, getting the final four outs.

Shawano then played an elimination game against Waupaca on July 24, using a five-run third frame to pull ahead and then scored four late runs to win 9-4.

Herm drove in three runs, while Polzin had two RBIs for the Patriots. Carson Popp, Andrew Popp and Henning also drove in a run.

Jurmu and Henning tallied two hits each. Carson Popp and Henning scored two runs for Shawano.

Glysch pitched all seven innings, working around eight hits and four walks. He struck out two batters.

Shawano then met Seymour again on July 25, needing a pair of wins to win the regional. Seymour again was able to top Shawano, this time in an 8-2 final.

Seymour scored its eight runs between the second and fifth innings, with three-run fourth and fifth innings.

Carson Popp tallied two hits and drove in a run for Shawano. Jurmu and Carson Popp scored the team’s runs.

Dylan Hodkiewicz started for the Patriots and worked the first 3⅔ innings. Bryce Popp then got the next three outs before Herm came on and worked the final 2⅓ innings.

Pulaski

Pulaski opened the tournament with an 8-1 loss to Seymour in five innings on July 22. Seymour led 7-1 after two innings.

Kyle Olson drove in Michael Wyent in the second inning for Pulaski’s lone run. Pulaski finished with three hits, all singles.

Lincoln Simons was dealt the loss on the mound after getting the first five outs. Only one of the seven runs he allowed was earned.

Will Friedman pitched the next 2⅓ innings, allowing one unearned run.

The loss sent Pulaski into an elimination game against New London on July 23. Things started well for Pulaski, which built a 5-2 lead after two innings, but a pair of three-run innings helped New London rally and win 8-6.

Jonah Klingeisen picked up Pulaski’s only two RBIs in the game. Wyent and Olson recorded two hits each, with Olson also scoring twice. Brayden Otto, Logan Hochevar, Klingeisen and Simons scored the other runs.

Olson started and pitched the first 4⅔ innings, striking out three along the way. Klingeisen pitched the other 2⅓ innings for Pulaski, not allowing a run.

sports@newmedia-wi.com