The Oconto Falls High School baseball team nearly won its season opener Friday in Luxemburg-Casco, but a seventh-inning run by the Spartans gave them the 4-3 victory.
The Panthers (0-1, 0-1 Bay) scored three runs in the seventh to tie the game.
“Our kids were down,” Oconto Falls coach Charlie Rochon said. “We’re pretty young, but they battled. They gave themselves a chance to win. They didn’t lay down.”
Rochon said the grit his team showed is a positive sign for the future.
Junior Riley Gruetzmacher took the loss for Oconto Falls. He pitched 3 1/3 innings, struck out five, allowed two hits and one run.
Luxemburg-Casco’s Dan Dorner earned the win pitching an inning of relief for Caleb Willems. Dorner allowed one hit and three runs while striking out one. Willems had seven strikeouts and allowed two hits.
Michael Manns led the Panthers, going 2 for 4. Sam Shroyer had the team’s other hit.
Cole Kirchman led Luxemburg-Casco with two of the team’s eight hits.
Oconto Falls had its first four games of the season cancelled because of the weather, and then had games Saturday, against Oconto, Monday and Tuesday, against Seymour, cancelled because of rain and snow.
The extra time in the gym is a good opportunity for the Panthers’ throwers.
“Not playing on Saturday probably helped us,” Rochon said. “We can get the guys more time on the mound indoors, in a little bit more controlled weather. I don’t know if going indoors benefits anyone else. “
Once the Panthers can get on the field consistently, Rochon expects to see some good things.
“From start to finish we hope to improve throughout the season,” Rochon said. “I told the guys they are going to surprise some people here, because we’re picked to finish dead last in the Bay. But with the way this team approaches things, I think we’ll surprise some people.”
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