It was the kind of day when nothing goes right: you almost get shut out, you give up a seven-run inning, you break a bat and your ninth — and last — player gets injured.
That’s how it went for the Menominee American Legion baseball team Wednesday in the opening game of the American Legion Class A Region 3 tournament in Marion, a 13-1 loss to Manawa.
“They showed up to play,” Menominee coach Brandon Frechette said of Manawa. “That’s what it’s about when it comes to the tournament. They came out and they were ready to go, and we weren’t. It’s as simple as that.”
Scoreless after 1½ innings, the game got ugly quickly as Menominee (9-5) gave up five runs in the bottom of the second. A few pitching struggles and an inning later, Manawa (7-8) was ahead 12-0. Manawa tacked on another run in the fourth.
Menominee finally managed to plate a run in the top of the fifth. Scott Cerveny reached on an error, stole second and scored on a single by Walker Miller, who had two hits in the game and split a bat.
Brady Hoffman, who would also finish with two hits, singled before Manawa pitcher Camden Moser grabbed a bouncing ground ball hit by Dallas Madosh and ended the inning with a throw to first.
The game ended by the 10-run rule.
Menominee dressed only nine players Wednesday because four starters had other commitments. When John Maskiwit injured his hip running the bases in the fourth, it appeared Menominee would not have enough players on defense. A limping Maskiwit, however, managed to take right field to get Menominee through the fourth inning.
“The guys that are out of town right now, it definitely hurt,” Frechette said. “I can’t make that my headline or anything, but we were lucky to have nine guys today.”
Lowell Chevalier started on the mound for Menominee. He allowed five runs on three hits, struck out two and walked none in two innings of work.
In the third, Frechette put Miller on the mound. Miller would last only 2/3 of the inning, getting pulled in favor of Hoffman after giving up five walks and six runs. Hoffman allowed four hits, two runs and one walk.
Moser went all five innings for Manawa, allowing one run on six hits, striking out two and walking two. Aaron Langman led Manawa’s batters, going 3 for 3, including an RBI triple in the third inning.
Menominee will play again on Friday. The opponent will be determined Thursday.
“Hopefully we can bounce back Friday and we can show up ready to play,” Frechette said.
Manawa will play Bonduel (8-4) at 3 p.m. Thursday.
Categories
