The outcome of Wednesday’s American Legion Class A Region 3 tournament-opening game wasn’t looking very good for Menominee after two innings at Jack Reinke Field in Bonduel.
Menominee scored only one run against Peshtigo in the first two innings, when Michael Pecore was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded in the second inning.
Peshtigo, meanwhile, was on a tear, getting a grand slam home run from Derek Koronkiewicz in the first inning and adding three more runs in the second.
That’s when Menominee, led by Lowell Chevalier and Rainer Shooter, scratched back into the game and eventually beat Peshtigo 9-7.
“Early in the season, we struggled with different players coming together,” Menominee coach Brandon Frechette said. “We needed them to step up and take the lead and be a coach on the field. That makes a big difference. Those two guys really helped keep this team together today and let them know it’s never over.”
Menominee’s rally began with the first of two home runs by Chevalier to lead off the third inning, cutting Peshtigo’s lead to 7-2.
“Lowell, his hitting has always been there,” Frechette said. “He might’ve went into a little bit of a slump, but he comes through. He’s one of our best hitters and he came through today.”
Later in the inning, Walker Miller scored on a wild pitch and Dallas Madosh got home as Peshtigo turned a double play on a Brady Hoffman line drive to the shortstop.
With Menominee trailing 7-4, Chevalier added his second homer to lead off the fourth. Perhaps more importantly, he settled into a groove on the mound. He would hold Peshtigo scoreless the rest of the way, allowing seven runs on 10 hits, walking one and striking out seven.
When Peshtigo did hit the ball, Menominee’s outfielders were making leaping catches, including a few in right field by Shooter.
After a bases-loaded walk in the top of the fifth, Shooter’s two-run double gave Menominee the lead. He finished two for four with the double and two RBIs.
Menominee added another run on a Miller single in the sixth to end the scoring.
Chevalier was two for three with two home runs and was intentionally walked in the rest of his plate appearances after the second home run. Hoffman finished three for four with a double. Nick Corn and Tom Williams each had a hit.
“(Peshtigo) came ready to play,” Frechette said. “Any time you jump out to a 7-1 lead, your confidence is up. They had confidence the whole game that they could win.”
Peshtigo was led by Marcus Sharkey, who was two for four.
Matthew Borkovec pitched the first three innings before giving way to Zack Pickle. They combined to allow nine runs on 10 hits, walked 12 and struck out six.
Menominee will play the winner of Wednesday night’s game between Bonduel and Oconto at 7:30 p.m. Thursday; Peshtigo plays the loser at 5:30 p.m.
Menominee also assured itself of a game on Friday in the double-elimination tournament. The time and opponent will be determined by Thursday’s results.
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