September 2, 2016 at 2:38 p.m.
Snowhawks cap off 2016 season with a 27-14 win
Snowhawks cap off 2016 season with a 27-14 win
The homestanding Snowhawks ended the 2016 year with an 8-2 record following a 27-14 victory over Lizzy-T's Monday at Snowshoe Park.
The 'Hawks wasted no time in racing out to a big lead after a five-run first that included a homer to center field from Cole Punches. A quick second inning made way for maxed-out five-run efforts in the bottom of the third and fourth which put the home squad ahead 15-3.
Lizzy-T's managed to cross three runs each in the fifth and sixth innings and grabbed another three in the eighth, but their efforts were not enough to keep up with the 'Hawks continued offensive output.
Though the game was one-sided, the night was a massive success. The Snowhawks received a $500 donation from Thrivent Financial. In addition, David Van Sleet gained the honor of becoming the first amputee to take part in a snowshoe baseball game at Snowshoe Park.
Van Sleet is a member of the Louisville Slugger Wounded Warrior softball team and agreed to take part in the game after the Lake Tomahawk snowshoe baseball raised nearly $75,000 for the cause in 2012. Van Sleet finished the game 3-for-6 with one run scored.
The Snowhawks were led by Todd Niemuth, who went 5-for-6 with four runs scored. Derek Young was also 5-for-6 with four runs scored. Punches went 5-for-6 with a homer and four runs scored, as well.
Head coach and third baseman Jeff Smith has nothing but positive words to say about the 2016 Snowhawk season.
"It was another great year for snowshoe baseball. Every week seemed to have great crowds, great weather and no one was injured all season, which we always like to see," Smith said. "There were some very tightly matched games this year and certainly a couple that we'd like to have back. I can't say enough about the community support, though."
Smith said donations, such as the one presented by Thrivent, go back into making Snowshoe Park an ideal place to spend a Monday night.
"Any money goes back into making snowshoe baseball better for the fans," he said. "There has been some talk about possibly getting some sponsorships along the fences here and maybe even some removable bleachers so fans have a good place to sit in the outfield."
Smith said he would like to thank the fans and community support that the Snowhawks have received over the years and that he looks forward to taking the field in the 2017 season.
Evan Verploegh may be reached via email at [email protected].
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