After two innings, Shawano American Legion left no doubt, ultimately pounding River Falls 16-6 Saturday to advance to the final day of the American Legion Class AA state baseball tournament in Kaukauna.
The Patriots scored nine runs the first two innings, including six in the second when they batted around.
“We were absolutely shell-shocked to the start the game,” River Falls coach Ryan Bishop said.
Five Patriots had two or more hits in the game: Grant Wainio (4 for 5), Zack Sousek (3 for 3), Ky Schmidt (3 for 4), Chase Henning (3 for 3) and Jack Lacy (2 for 5). Wainio had five RBIs and Henning produced four.
“It was all about rubbing off on each other's energy," Wainio said. "One person gets on, and everyone just starts rolling.”
The Patriots also played flawless defense, committing no errors, compared to four in Friday’s win against Beaver Dam.
“The kids were extremely focused today and did a great job,” Shawano coach Will Gillis said.
Shawano starter Mason Boogren picked up the win, throwing all seven innings. He allowed six runs on seven hits and six walks. He recorded one strikeout.
Sousek, who celebrated his 19th birthday Saturday, sparked a three-run first inning with a leadoff double and scored on Ky Schmidt's triple. Wainio drove in Schmidt, and Jack Lacy singled in Henning.
In the second, walks and a balk helped set the table for Waino, whose double plated Schmidt and Henning, and chased River Falls starter Joe Krueger.
River Falls reliever Mitchell Feyersein did not fare any better than Krueger, allowing a two-run double to Jacob Lacy to send Tasa Grignon and Wainio home. Kasey Kristof, who led off the inning, capped off the rally with a single to score Jacob Lacy.
With Boogren cruising through the first two innings, retiring all six hitters in order, Shawano packed on three more runs in the top of the third inning. Henning plated Sousek, and Wainio's double again scored Schmidt and Henning.
Boogren ran into turbulence in the bottom of the third and surrendered three runs. River Falls (22-7) added runs in the fourth, sixth and seventh innings.
Henning launched a three-run home run in the seventh inning, bringing in Sousek, who had a leadoff double, and Schmidt.
“I saw the farthest home run I have ever seen from a high school player,” Bishop said. “I am personally going to measure it because I want to know how far that hit.
“He absolutely crushed the ball. It is fun to see a high school kid hit like that.”
Gillis was not shocked by Bishop’s statement, noting Henning could be the best Shawano Community High School player in at least a decade.
“I have seen him hit balls 400 plus feet this season … absolutely crushed,” Gillis said. “Definitely the best hitter to come out of Shawano the past 10 years, by far.”
Jack Lacy capped off the seventh with a run-scoring double to plate Wainio, who advanced on the only fielding error in the game.
Krueger took the loss, tossing 1 1/3 innings. He allowed eight earned runs on six hits.
For River Falls, Brian Grove was 2 for 3 and scored two runs. Krueger was 1 for 3 with two RBIs.
The Patriots (18-11) are slated to play Waterford for the second time in the double-elimination tourney at noon Sunday, with the winner advancing to the title game against River Falls. Shawano defeated Waterford in the opening round, 16-11.
Waterford eliminated 2014 champion Menasha, 15-13, in eight innings.
