Junior pitcher Riley Gruetzmacher struck out nine batters, but it was not enough as Oconto Falls High School lost 4-2 at Clintonville in the first round of the WIAA Division 2 regionals June 3.
The Panthers rallied for two runs in the final inning but could not get all the way back.
Gruetzmacher held the Truckers scoreless until a leadoff home run by pitcher Turner Doornick sparked a two-run fourth inning.
Panthers coach Charlie Rochon said the big inning did not faze his pitcher, who gave up nine hits and no walks in 4 2/3 innings.
“He remained effective, he was still striking guys out, just had a few seeing-eye singles that died in the field,” Rochon said. “They just had timely hitting.”
Doornick held Oconto Falls hitless through the first six innings until a Gruetzmacher single.
Brad Ash and Connor Sefick scored in the Panthers’ two-run seventh inning.
“We battled back, and I was really proud of how we hit in the inning,” Rochon said.
Following Gruetzmacher’s departure in the fifth inning, Oconto Falls brought in senior Hunter Magnin to keep the Panthers in the game.
Magnin, who was 1 for 3 with a run-scoring single, held the Truckers scoreless in the fifth and sixth innings.
“The guys pitched well, they just had a few tough breaks,” Rochon said. “We knew this was going to be a tough game. But it just wasn’t meant to be.”
Doornick struck out nine batters, walking one, and allowed three hits in seven innings. He also contributed at the plate, batting 2 for 3 with a home run and 2 RBIs.
Clintonville had three other players with two hits apiece: Parker Mindel, Damon Lorge and Marshall Faulks.
Oconto Falls concluded its season with a 7-13 (5-11 Bay Conference) record.
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