The Shawano Community High School baseball team’s batting slump continued, but pitching and defense were enough to split a doubleheader with Oconto Falls on Saturday in Oconto Falls.
Senior Taylor Prey had a first-inning RBI single in a 1-0 Shawano victory to start the day, but Oconto Falls answered with a 2-0 win in the second game as the Hawks went without a hit.
Pitching was on display in both games, with all four pitchers going the distance and combining for 38 strikeouts on the day.
“When do you ever see a doubleheader, where both starters in both games go all seven (innings)? In high school baseball, that rarely happens,” Shawano coach Rob Wolff said.
Shawano junior Grant Wainio earned the win for the Hawks (2-5, 2-4 Bay) in the first game. He struck out 11, walked one and allowed six hits.
Wolff said Wainio’s performance was his best of the season.
Hunter Magnin took the loss for Oconto Falls (2-5, 1-5 Bay), allowing three hits. He struck out eight.
“They got the one run, then he settled down and he shut them down,” Oconto Falls coach Charlie Rochon said. “He pitched a very good game.”
In the second game, Rochon was even more impressed. Oconto Falls junior Riley Gruetzmacher pitched a no-hitter, striking out 11 and walking three.
“He did really well,” Rochon said. “He had his breaking ball working today, and he got it in for strikes. That’s a big thing.”
Prey allowed five hits and two runs, walked six and struck out eight on the mound for Shawano.
After two scoreless innings, Oconto Falls took the lead in the third inning when Bo Shroyer hit a two-RBI single with the bases loaded.
“Three runs scored in two games between the two teams — offensive juggernauts here,” Rochon joked.
While the games were close, Wolff said he remains concerned about the Hawks’ lack of hitting.
“You have to tip your hat, they were some quality pitchers, but we have to put the ball more consistently in play,” Wolff said. “Right now, that’s our nemesis. All it takes is one of us to have a 4-for-4 game, maybe someone gets a home run. Something has to get us going.”
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