Zack Sousek and the Patriots infield knew they had to stay on their toes with pitcher Mason Boogren on the mound.
Boogren’s steady diet of early breaking pitches and low fastballs against visiting Bay Port helped the Shawano Legion to a 5-2 win Thursday in Shawano.
“We are always ready to make the play; we are a little more on our feet with Mason on the mound,” said Sousek, who led Shawano with a 3-for-4 game at the plate.
Boogren tossed a complete game. He allowed four hits and two walks, struck out two and held the Pirates scoreless until the seventh inning.
“He did a great job all night,” Patriots coach Will Gillis said. “He threw strikes; he challenged all of their hitters.”
Boogren forced Bay Port into 17 groundball outs and had a no-hitter through 3 2/3 innings until a single by Sam Uttrie.
Sousek also drew praise from Gillis and and Bay Port coach Jesse Wiltzius.
“Their defense was outstanding. Their shortstop made some of the best plays I have seen all summer, and saved some runs,” Wiltzius said.
“Zack made a handful of really good plays out there,” Gillis agreed.
Offensively, Sousek sparked Shawano’s five-run second inning with a two-out, two-run single, scoring Tommy Stueck and Nate Laude. Stueck reached base on a bloop single to shallow right field, and Laude singled to right field.
Ky Schmidt followed Sousek with a single to score Kasey Kristof, who drew a walk, before outfielder Chase Henning doubled in Sousek and Schmidt.
Shawano (8-6, 5-1 Fox River Valley-West) posted its second straight win after suffering an 8-0 loss Saturday to Bonduel.
“We were more focused today,” Gillis said.
The Patriots defeated New London 4-2 on Wednesday.
Jordan Noelle took the loss for Bay Port (14-9, 4-5 FRV-West). He allowed eight hits, five runs, struck out five and issued one walk.
Bay Port scored its runs in the seventh inning. Elliot Meyer’s double scored Uttrie. Meyer later scored on a single by Tanner Klaus.
